Fact Check: Is Josh Brolin returning as King Thanos in upcoming 'Avengers' films?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ahead of the release of the much-anticipated ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ a claim began circulating on social media platforms suggesting that Hollywood actor Josh Brolin is returning as King Thanos in both the upcoming ‘Avengers’ films. The claim has sparked fan frenzy and speculation, requiring a fact-check into the viral post.
Claim: Josh Brolin is returning as King Thanos
According to several viral posts circulating on X, Josh Brolin is reportedly set to return as King Thanos in the fifth and sixth installments of the iconic ‘Avengers’ franchise.
“Marvel Studios is reportedly planning to adapt Doctor Doom effortlessly ripping out Thanos' spine -adapting the brutal 2015 Secret Wars comic panel to establish Doom's ultimate dominance,” a viral X post stated.
Another post read, “Insider reports & industry scoopers suggest that Marvel Studios will recreate the iconic comic panel where God Emperor Doom rips out Thanos' Spine.”
The posts have collectively garnered more than half a million views as of this writing, drawing mixed reactions from fans and netizens, with many believing the claim to be true, while others called it fake and called for a fact check.
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
The rumor, however, is false, as there is no official confirmation from Marvel Studios or the actor about the return of Thanos, who left a massive impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A Google search for the claim revealed that there are no official statements or announcements, or social media posts from the makers or the cast of the film that support the viral claim, which, if true, would have been widely covered by prominent entertainment media outlets.
Additionally, most accounts sharing the claim describe themselves as parody or satire; hence, the claim is exaggerated for clickbait.
In a recent interview with Collider, when asked about the rumor, Brolin said, “I don’t know how to answer that question.”
Marvel's star-studded 'Avengers: Doomsday'
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set for release on December 18 and will bring together several Marvel heroes from the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and other franchises.
The studio began building anticipation by releasing four teaser trailers for the highly-anticipated film last December.
The film stars Robert Downey Jr as the villain Doctor Doom, along with Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, and Simu Liu, who will reprise their roles.
