At this year's DragonCon, comic book artist and writer Jim Starlin took to answering a couple of fan questions. As the creator of Thanos, Starlin obviously had some questions to answer for the upcoming Avengers sequel. But the one answer that took most people off guard was his own personal choice for who he would have portray the mad Titan.
"I had thought about Idris Elba, who is an English actor I always thought about. He is already appearing as Heimdall. There were rumors going around that Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to be tapped for it, which at first I thought was a bad idea but then I caught him in the news since his post-cancer treatment and he has Thanos' voice. He has this real gravelly voice and he would probably work well. Couldn't think of anybody else I'd throw out off the top of my head."
Yep, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Now, I love what Starlin's done for comics. He's worked for both major comic organizations, Marvel and DC, writing and drawing for Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Daredevil, Superman, Batman, and numerous others.
But as for his casting choices...Schwarzenegger, really? He certainly as the build, but does it really make sense for a Titan from outer space to have an Austrian accent? Between Bane, and Bale, there's already enough comic book characters on the big screen who audiences have enough difficulty understanding as is.
And beyond that, I feel I only need mention "Batman and Robin" to justify my opinion.
While this may be the creator's pick, the end choice is up to director Joss Whedon, not Starlin, and as of yet, there's been little mention of the future cast of "The Avengers" sequel.
In an interview with Slash magazine, The Avengers' director Joss Whedon spoke on his decision to make the death loving eternal a part of the franchise. " 'He for me is the most powerful and fascinating Marvel villain. He's the great grand daddy of the badasses and he's in love with death and I just think that's so cute...somebody had to be in control and had to be behind Loki's work and I was like 'It's got to be Thanos.' "
First hinted in "Thor" with the infamous gauntlet on display in Odin's throne room, just who is Thanos? A power hungry Eternal born on Saturn's moon Titan, Thanos is obsessed with death. Essentially immortal and armed with superhuman strength and intellect, he took control of his own planet, and then set his path of conquest towards Earth. In his war against Earth, he's been stopped by the Avengers a multitude of times.
His weapon, the infinite gauntlet, first hinted to the possibility of his big screen arrival when eagle eyed viewers saw it encased in Odin's trophy room. Encrusted with infinite gems, the gauntlet allows its bearer control over time, space, reality, power, and even people's souls.
In the comics, Thanos has come across other marvel film alumni beyond the Avengers, including Spiderman, as well as the Silver Surfer.
The actor who portrayed Thanos in the infamous End-Credits scene was Damon Poitier, and it's unknown as of yet if he'll reprise the role.
The sequel for "The Avengers" is marked for a 2015 release.
