In the vast realm of the MCU, one character that has stood out as an iconic and formidable presence is the mad purple titan, Thanos.
The journey that resulted in the battles in Infinity War and Endgame started with his brief introduction in the 2012 film, The Avengers. While actor Josh Brolin took on the role and gave a compelling performance, it’s also worth noting that he was not the one who portrayed the cosmic villain in his first appearance.
It was Damion Poitier, an actor and stuntman, who put forth the Titan’s first appearance in the MCU’s pivotal post-credits scene. While the Deadpool 2 actor took over the role in his later appearances, Poitier still found his way into both the Marvel and DC universes, showcasing his versatility and love for the superhero genre.
Damion Poitier’s Future MCU Appearances Following His Brief Stint as Thanos
Primarily known for his work in the Payday videogame franchise, Damion Poitier left an indelible mark with his brief appearance as Thanos in The Avengers. His time as Thanos was fleeting, but the portrayal contributed to the Titan’s intimidating presence.
It is also believed to have paved the way for Josh Brolin’s remarkable performance in the later Avengers movies and has been significant in establishing the character’s initial impact. However, it was not his last appearance in the cinematic universe as Poitier continued making further appearances in the franchise.
Following his brief cameo in The Avengers, Poitier joined the mercenaries aiding Crossbones in the dramatic attack in Chris Evans’ Captain America: Civil War. This marked his second appearance in the MCU in what are considered two of the best movies in the MCU.
Not just the MCU, the actor has also been a part of the DC Universe, appearing in the DC television series, The Flash. He played the role of metahuman crime boss Keith Kenyon, aka Goldface, a recurring character from season 5 to season 9 of the show.
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Why Did Marvel Decide to Recast Thanos?
Following his brief appearance in The Avengers, the studio decided to recast the character with Josh Brolin, making his MCU debut with an uncredited cameo in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. As for why the studio recast the character, it has been described as more of a creative decision.
As per the ScreenRant, when The Avengers director Joss Whedon decided to tease the character in the post-credit scene of the movie, no specific actor was cast in the role. It was then that Damion Poitier took the role for his brief appearance. As Thanos’ arc and physical appearance evolved since The Avengers, the studio had plenty of time to cast an actor for the role. Following his MCU debut in the 2014 film, Brolin continued playing the villain in the MCU, appearing in future Avengers movies.
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