Warning: The following post contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame
The MCU as we’ve come to know it wouldn’t exist without Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and many more artistic talents. However, the epic conclusion of Avengers: Endgame wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of writer and artist Jim Starlin. As the creator of Thanos, Starlin’s comics have garnered renewed interest ever since the Mad Titan appeared in the first Avengers film in 2012. Now, while speaking with Polygon, Starlin reflected on Thanos’ live-action translation along with Marvel Studios’ intentions for his other characters.
In the original Infinity Gauntlet storyline, Thanos’ snuffed out half of all life in the universe in an effort to romance the physical embodiment of Death. But since what looks good on a comic book page doesn’t always fly onscreen, changes were bound to be made. Thankfully, Starlin isn’t averse to these alterations.
“I’ve worked with movie scripts before and I’ve come to the conclusion that anyone who thinks they’re going to get a carbon copy of what they put down on paper is just being foolish,” said Starlin. “These movie production companies are spending millions and millions of dollars and they’re going to work it around to their universe, which is different than the comic book universe. So overall, no, I was very happy with what they’d done with Thanos.”
Starlin also commended the filmmakers for having Thanos remove parts of his armor after obtaining a few Infinity Stones. After all, who needs armor when you’re holding some of the most powerful weapons in existence? But despite Starlin’s praise, there was one thing he missed from the character’s comic book appearances.
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“I miss his yellow eyes that turned red when he got angry, but I see why they did it,” Starlin said. “It gives [Thanos’ actor Josh] Brolin a better chance to emote with the pupils and all that. The blue I think probably works better on film than the yellow eyes and the red flair would have been too contrasty.”
Anyone who saw Endgame knows that Thanos met his demise at the end of the film. Regardless, Starlin’s MCU presence will live on thanks to Marvel Studios’ plans for Phase Four. Shang-Chi, the brainchild of Starlin and Steve Englehart, is getting his own standalone feature directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Additionally, Adam Warlock is rumored to show up in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. But if Starlin gets his way, the MCU will introduce Pip the Troll at some point in the future.
“[He’s a] perfect foil,” Starlin explained. “If you’ve got a character like Warlock, you need a somebody for him to play a straight man to. And Pip would be perfect for it. He’s just one of my favorite characters out of all of the guys I have created. I think it’s Pip, Dreadstar, and Thanos who are my favorites.”
What other Jim Starlin creations are you excited to see make their MCU debut? Let us know in the comment section below!
