1 Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame Villain Could’ve Defeated Thanos (but Worked for Him Instead)

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Thanos is the main villain in both Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, though several other villains appear in those movies. Interestingly, one of these lesser villains actually had the power to defeat Thanos but chose to work for him instead. Throughout the entire Infinity Saga, the Avengers battle numerous powerful enemies, but Thanos proves to be their biggest challenge. The first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe carefully build towards this epic confrontation with the Mad Titan, creating a showdown unlike anything audiences had seen before.

Thanos is a formidable enemy, even without all the Infinity Stones, thanks to his intelligence and power. As he collects each stone, he becomes even more difficult to defeat, ultimately allowing him to wipe out half of all life in the universe. With all six stones, he’s almost unbeatable – unless you can strike a decisive blow. Interestingly, one lesser villain from the movies, Ebony Maw, might have been able to defeat Thanos before he became so powerful.

With His Powers, Ebony Maw Could Have Defeated Thanos In Avengers: Infinity War

Ebony Maw is a supporting villain in both Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, best known for his battles with Doctor Strange, Tony Stark, and Spider-Man. Despite being a relatively minor character, he’s a formidable opponent for the heroes, largely due to his powerful telekinetic abilities. These powers allow him to defend himself, hold even the strongest heroes captive, and launch his own attacks, making him a challenging foe even for someone as skilled as Doctor Strange.

He might have even been able to beat Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – especially before Thanos got all the Infinity Stones. A discussion on Reddit points out that the MCU version of Thanos relies mostly on his physical strength and tactical thinking. While the comic book Thanos has more powers that would protect him from this attack, comparing just the movie versions of the characters, this lesser villain could have used his telekinetic abilities to hold Thanos back and effectively remove him from the fight.

Although it’s been questioned if it’s possible, Thanos isn’t invincible. In Infinity War, the Avengers briefly held Thanos down on Titan and almost took the Infinity Gauntlet from him – with enough force, they likely could have killed him then. Ebony Maw could potentially put Thanos in a similar vulnerable position and, using his telekinesis to wield weapons, deliver a fatal blow. This raises the question of why Ebony Maw would choose to serve someone who could be defeated this way.

Ebony Maw Might Be Stronger, but Him Working for Thanos Makes Sense

Despite being powerful enough to likely defeat Thanos with his telekinesis, Ebony Maw willingly serves him. The little we see of Maw suggests this makes sense. He’s presented as a devoted follower, even lecturing the people Thanos conquers. On planets like Gamora’s home world and aboard the Asgardian ship, he tells survivors they should be grateful to Thanos, framing their hardship as a form of rescue. This shows he genuinely believes in Thanos’ mission.

Considering this, Ebony Maw would never betray Thanos, as he willingly supports the villain’s plan to eliminate half of all life. This loyalty adds depth to his character, but Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame didn’t fully explore it. While understandable given the films’ scope, the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have expanded on Ebony Maw’s role before the conclusion of the Infinity Saga.

The MCU Should Have Explored This Minor Villain in a Larger Role Before Avengers: Infinity War

Ebony Maw is a compelling villain, and it’s surprising Marvel hasn’t used him more. Before Thanos became the main threat, villains like Loki and Ronan foreshadowed his arrival. Maw could have been a great standalone villain before joining Thanos, allowing audiences to learn more about his motivations and enjoy a challenging opponent. He’s a fascinating character, and exploring his dedication to Thanos’s goals would have added depth to the story.

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2026-02-15 03:40