7 Massive Projects And The MCU Return Tease: What Thanos Actor Josh Brolin Is Doing Now In 2025

The Mad Titan is back in the spotlight, not just for his iconic snap, but for a career resurgence that has made him one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. Josh Brolin, the powerhouse performer who brought Thanos to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is experiencing a monumental period in his career, marked by major blockbuster roles, a directorial debut, and persistent rumors of a return to the purple-skinned villain. As of December 2025, Brolin is busier than ever, with a packed slate of projects that solidify his standing as a versatile, Oscar-nominated talent who effortlessly shifts between high-concept sci-fi and gritty Western drama.

The latest buzz, which has fans on the edge of their seats, centers on Brolin’s own hints about reprising the role of Thanos, a character whose demise in Avengers: Endgame was considered definitive. With the MCU heading into a Multiverse Saga, the door is always ajar for a powerful figure like the Mad Titan to re-emerge, and Brolin’s recent comments suggest he is more than ready to don the motion-capture suit again. This article dives deep into the actor’s complete profile, his massive 2024–2025 career highlights, and the definitive status of his potential return to the Avengers franchise.

Josh Brolin: Complete Biography and Profile

Josh James Brolin is an acclaimed American actor known for his chameleon-like ability to inhabit diverse roles, from the stoic cowboy Llewelyn Moss in No Country for Old Men to the complicated war-on-drugs operative Matt Graver in Sicario. Born into Hollywood royalty, his career is a testament to carving out a unique path separate from his famous father.

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• Full Name: Josh James Brolin
• Date of Birth: February 12, 1968
• Age (as of 2025): 57
• Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
• Parents: James Brolin (Actor) and Jane Cameron Agee (Activist)
• Spouse: Kathryn Boyd (m. 2016)
• Notable Early Role: Brand Walsh in The Goonies (1985)
• Oscar Nomination: Best Supporting Actor for Milk (2008)
• Iconic MCU Role: Thanos (Voice and Motion Capture) in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
• Key Collaborators: Denis Villeneuve, The Coen Brothers, Ridley Scott.

The 2024-2025 Career Resurgence: From Gurney Halleck to Directorial Debut

While Thanos remains his most recognizable character to a global audience, Josh Brolin has spent 2024 and 2025 proving his immense range and commitment to major cinematic and television projects. His recent work slate is one of the most diverse and high-profile of his entire career.

1. Reprising the Role of Gurney Halleck in Dune: Part Two (2024)

Brolin was a critical part of one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, returning as the War Master Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's epic sequel, Dune: Part Two. His performance as the loyal, poetry-spouting mentor to Paul Atreides showcased his ability to blend action and deep emotional gravitas, further cementing his status as a key figure in modern science fiction cinema alongside his Thanos role. The success of the film has ensured the character of Gurney Halleck will remain a significant entity in Brolin's filmography.

2. Directorial Debut with Outer Range Season 2 (2024)

In a major career pivot, Brolin took on a new challenge in 2024 by making his directorial debut on the second season of his Amazon Prime Video series, Outer Range. He also reprised his lead role as Royal Abbott, the patriarch of a Wyoming ranching family grappling with a mysterious void on their land. This dual role—starring and directing—demonstrated his deepened commitment to the craft and his desire to explore storytelling from behind the camera, a move often reserved for seasoned Hollywood veterans.

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3. Starring in Edgar Wright’s The Running Man (2025)

One of Brolin's most anticipated projects is his lead role in the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright and slated for release in November 2025. This film is a major entity in the 2025 movie calendar, a dystopian action thriller that promises to be a fresh take on the classic story. Brolin's involvement marks his first foray into a Stephen King cinematic universe, playing the powerful network executive who oversees the deadly operation, a role that will require a complex, villainous edge.

4. Upcoming Sci-Fi Feature The Dog Stars

Brolin is also attached to star in the Ridley Scott-produced sci-fi feature film The Dog Stars. The project, which also features Guy Pearce and Margaret Qualley, is expected to be a major visual and narrative undertaking, continuing Brolin’s strong presence in the science fiction genre. The film is based on the post-apocalyptic novel and is currently in development, making it a key focus for his 2025–2026 schedule.

Will Thanos Return? Josh Brolin’s Teases and the MCU Future

The question of whether Thanos will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably the most persistent query surrounding Josh Brolin’s career. Despite the character being killed twice—once at the beginning of Avengers: Endgame and once in the final battle—the actor has repeatedly expressed his enthusiasm for a comeback, fueling fan speculation.

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The Door is Open: Brolin’s Willingness to Return

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Josh Brolin has been vocal about his readiness to return to the role of the Mad Titan. He has stated that he would "pretty quickly" return as Thanos if the opportunity arose. Brolin has a deep appreciation for the character and the impact he had on the franchise, often citing the complex motivation and tragic nature of the villain.

The Multiverse and the Russo Connection

The most concrete hints about a potential return are tied to the concept of the Multiverse and his relationship with the Avengers directors. Brolin has mentioned that if Joe Russo were to approach him, he would be highly inclined to say yes. Given that Thanos is a major entity in the MCU's history, the Multiverse Saga provides several plausible avenues for his return:

• Variant Thanos: A version of Thanos from an alternate reality who was not defeated by the Avengers.
• Flashbacks or Time Travel: A narrative device that revisits a pivotal moment in the past.
• Spiritual/Metaphysical Return: A role similar to that of a cosmic entity or a memory projected by another powerful being.

While no official announcement has been made by Marvel Studios, Brolin’s continued teasing—including a mention of a possible return in 2026—suggests that discussions are likely happening behind the scenes. The fanbase is eager to see the charismatic villain return to face the next generation of heroes, potentially in the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars.

Topical Authority and Relevant Entities

Josh Brolin’s career spans a wide range of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, giving him immense topical authority. His ability to anchor complex narratives is evident in his choice of projects. Beyond Thanos and the MCU, key entities that define his career and contribute to his current relevance include:

• Llewelyn Moss: His breakthrough role in the Coen Brothers' masterpiece, No Country for Old Men.
• Cable: His co-starring role alongside Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool 2, cementing his place in two major comic book universes.
• Dan White: The role in Milk that earned him an Academy Award nomination.
• Matt Graver: The morally ambiguous CIA agent in the Sicario franchise.
• Jonah Hex: His lead role in the DC Comics adaptation.
• Oliver Stone: A frequent collaborator, notably on W. and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
• Gurney Halleck: His current major sci-fi entity in the Dune universe.
• Royal Abbott: The lead character in the Western sci-fi series Outer Range.

From the epic scale of the Avengers and Dune to the intimate, character-driven drama of his directorial debut, Josh Brolin's 2024–2025 period confirms that the actor behind Thanos is not resting on his Infinity Gauntlet laurels. He continues to challenge himself with diverse roles, ensuring his status as a major Hollywood player for years to come, with the ultimate question of the Mad Titan's return looming large over his future.