Thanos' comic co-creator Jim Starlin expects the Mad Titan to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Eternals. As the MCU begins Phase 4, Eternals is one of Marvel's most obscure characters to lead a new movie. General audiences - and even some Marvel comic fans - might not have any idea who the Eternals are, but Marvel Studios assembled a star-studded diverse cast to help build excitement. Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, and many more are slated to appear.

Eternals is not confirmed to include any familiar MCU characters, but many fans hope to see Thanos return. The looming threat over the Infinity Saga hasn't even been absent from the MCU for two years. However, the desire to see Thanos in Eternals makes some sense. Thanos is part Eternal in the comics and his father, A'Lars, is usually one of the superhuman race's leaders. Avengers: Infinity War included a namedrop of A'Lars, which could potentially pave the way for Thanos to appear in Eternals in some form.

Related: WandaVision Introduces One Of Eternals' Most Important Powers

Thanos appearing in Eternals might be more likely now that comic co-creator Jim Starlin said he expects it to happen. While speaking to the Phase Zero podcast, Starlin discussed what he knew about the Mad Titan's possible return. It's unclear if he's talked to Marvel about Thanos coming back or if he's resharing internet rumors, but either way, Starlin believes that the Mad Titan is returning in Eternals.

I believe I heard some rumors that he's [Thanos] coming back in different things. I think I've heard...confirmed from Marvel Studios is that he's going to be...at least a guest appearance inside the Eternals, so he's gonna be around. This is not anything I'm making up. This is something I've read somewhere.

Thanos Eternals

While Starlin might have spoken to Marvel in private about Thanos appearing in Eternals, there is no official confirmation that it will happen. Marvel Studios has kept details about Eternals to a minimum so far. The movie will take place after Avengers: Endgame, but the story will also span 7,000 years. That gives Eternals plenty of time to include Thanos in some form. Marvel already did concept art for a young Thanos as part of the development of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. His backstory could be folded into Eternals now, assuming the movie explains who the Eternals are, how they were created, and where they've been in the MCU's history.

If Thanos is in Eternals, whether Marvel uses him in the marketing will be something to keep an eye on. Even if Thanos is just in Eternals for a few scenes, showing him at all could draw more attention to the movie. It'd be like how Disney and Lucasfilm made sure to include Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, even though he didn't have too big of a role. Marvel could also look to save the surprise of a young Thanos for people to experience while watching the movie. As long as the Phase 4 slate doesn't change again, we'll know for sure whether or not Thanos is in Eternals when the film hits theaters in November.

MORE: MCU Phase 4 Now Has 2 Replacements For The Infinity Gauntlet

Source: Phase Zero

Key Release Dates