What Will Happen to Thanos After Endgame?
In ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Thanos time-traveled from 2014 to 2023, effectively creating an alternate timeline. This occurs due to the time travel mechanics established in the film, suggesting that changing events in the past does not alter the original timeline but instead branches off into a new one.
Original Timeline (2014): In this timeline, Thanos is defeated by the Avengers in 2014. After his defeat, he never has the chance to gather the Infinity Stones again or execute his plan to erase half of all life.
Time Travel to 2023: When the 2014 version of Thanos travels to the future, he arrives in 2023, where he encounters the Avengers. His actions in this timeline—such as attacking the Avengers and ultimately being defeated—do not affect the original 2014 timeline. Instead, they create a new branch of reality.
The quantum time travel in Endgame creates new timelines every time a ‘significant’ change occurs. Consequently, none of the time traveling should change the history of the MCU as we know it. For example, there is one timeline where Loki escapes with the Tesseract after the Avengers stop his invasion of Earth for the first time. Additionally, there is another where Thanos and his armies simply don’t exist, as they left and were killed by the Avengers in the prime timeline.
Interestingly, Thanos could have seen the future when he had the Gauntlet and could have wiped out all living things. However, he didn’t; he wanted to live in the garden doing his own thing. It seems he felt content with himself and ultimately destroyed the stones.
Furthermore, there are an infinite amount of Thanos-es—he is inevitable. Technically speaking, using the MCU time travel logic, there is an infinite amount of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in time, but only one every time and EVERYONE at a specific moment.
Alternate Timelines:
- Timeline #6, where Steve Rogers lives through seven decades knowing what happened in his own timeline, might lead to a considerable outcome. Perhaps Captain Marvel can monitor the situation as the 1980s arrive.
- Another possibility is that some timelines don’t experience significant long-term changes. For instance, in timeline #1, the only difference is a missing baseball mitt. Though seemingly dull, this could have wild implications—if an alternate timeline remains unchanged, its Thanos will collect all six Infinity Stones and snap away half the life in the universe.
It’s worth noting that Josh Brolin has indicated that Thanos’ return would need to align with the character he envisions. With the introduction of the multiverse, the MCU has made it easier to resurrect characters who have died. While Thanos is dead in the main MCU timeline—having been erased from existence—the multiverse has removed the permanence of death, allowing for a smoother integration of returning characters.
After Thanos’ defeat in Avengers: Endgame, Kang the Conqueror and his variants were unleashed on the MCU timeline. This sets the stage for stories culminating in Phase 6’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Interestingly, in the comics, Thanos plays a key role and faces off against Dr. Doom in the plot of Secret Wars, which is based on the 2015 Marvel comic series of the same name.
Understanding Eros: Thanos’s Brother in Marvel
Eros, also known as Starfox, is a member of the genetically engineered Eternals. Born on Titan, moon of Saturn, he is the son of A’lars, also known as Mentor, and Sui-San. Despite being raised alongside his brother, Thanos, Starfox developed a very different personality from the genocidal Mad-Titan. While Thanos yearned for the Infinity Stones and pursued a mission to exterminate half of all life, Eros became a carefree adventurer who loves life, romance, and adventure. This earned him the nickname Knave of Hearts.
Eros possesses the ability to stimulate the pleasure centers in other people’s brains. This effect is often emitted unconsciously, causing a euphoric reaction. With concentration, he can amplify this effect to induce euphoria, arousal, pacification, and/or sedation. However, beings without pleasure centers, including Thanos, are immune to this capability.
Eros has a complicated relationship with his brother. Though they are brothers and Eros does side with him on occasion, he spends most of his time working against Thanos. Eros s forces with the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Dark Guardians to have the strength to confront him. In fact, Eros has a custom with Thanos where each Eternal year—equivalent to 1,000 Earth years—they bury the hatchet and convene at a neutral place, usually bearing gifts. This tradition, called The Truce, was initiated by their father to remind them of their shared blood. They meet alone, although the hero Quasar was present at one of their gatherings, and they refuse to fight one another.
When Eros ventured to Earth, he applied to the Avengers and was soon accepted as an Avenger-in-training. However, the Avengers hesitated to present a man named ‘Eros’ to the public, so Janet Van Dyne, also known as the Wasp, rechristened him ‘Starfox.’
In his backstory, Eros is depicted as opposing his mad brother, Thanos, who often attempts to destroy the universe. Eros serves as the opposite reflection of Thanos in nearly every aspect. This contrast aligns with writer-artist Jim Starlin’s intention to create two characters embodying semi-Freudian concepts: Thanatos and Eros, representing death and desire.
In Captain Marvel (1968) #27, Eros and Mentor represent the last resisting forces on Titan, teaming up with the Kree Mar-Vell to combat the unhinged Thanos. Eros decided to help the planet’s survivors and fought alongside cosmic heroes, such as Captain Mar-Vell. This highlights Eros’s role not just as Thanos’s brother, but as a champion of good in the universe.
Additionally, Eros is known for having many lovers across the galaxy. He is the adoptive younger brother of Thanos and the adoptive uncle of Gamora, Nebula, and the Black Order, showcasing his extensive connections within the Marvel universe.
Is Harry Styles Set to Star as Eros in the MCU?
Harry Styles has reportedly been confirmed to be ing the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Thanos’ brother, Eros. This news comes after over a year of speculation regarding Styles’ fourth acting role.
A Variety reporter confirmed the news at the premiere of The Eternals in LA, announcing on Twitter: ‘Big reveal from #TheEternals premiere — Harry Styles has ed the MCU as Eros, brother of Thanos.’
Little is known about the project, but Harry could star alongside Josh Brolin, who ed the MCU in Avengers: Endgame as Thanos. Eros is described as ‘care-free and womanising,’ a contrast to his brother, Thanos, who is a power-hungry schemer. Eros, originally named Eron, was born to A’Lars and Sui-San, and he was renamed Eros after developing an interest in the opposite sex.
One year ago, fans were surprised by a cameo from Marvel’s unique cosmic character, Starfox (Eros), in Marvel Studios’ Eternals. Notably, Thanos’ brother was portrayed by ex-One Direction singer, Harry Styles.
Harry Styles, as Eros, is identified as an Eternal from Titan, the destroyed planet showcased in Avengers: Infinity War. However, James Gunn recently stated that Harry Styles will not be making a cameo appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. When asked about the rumors, Gunn confirmed, ‘nope,’ clarifying that ‘he’s not [in the movie]– Starfox doesn’t pop up.’
Kevin Feige addressed Harry Styles’ return to the MCU as Eros following the events of Eternals. Styles debuted in one of the film’s post-credits scenes, where Pip the Troll announced him as Thanos’ brother.
In summary, Harry Styles’ casting as Eros has been officially recognized, and he is set to return to the MCU.
