Benicio del Toro Teases Major Marvel Return: Is The Collector Coming Back?

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Benicio del Toro hinted at a possible comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, implying his character, The Collector, might still be involved. During an interview on the “Happy, Sad, Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, he expressed a positive view about his future in the franchise, which is a change from his previous statements where he seemed uncertain about being invited back. Although it’s not up to del Toro himself, his comment that “there’s more on the table” has sparked renewed speculation that The Collector could be part of the major events in upcoming films like “Avengers: Doomsday”.

Del Toro expressed confidence that there could be more opportunities on the horizon, stating, “There’s definitely more up for grabs.” However, in interviews about his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, he seemed less certain. When speaking with ComicBook, del Toro expressed hope but also uncertainty: “You need to get invited to join that global competition, and I’d love to participate, but let’s keep our fingers crossed that it happens soon.” He continued, “I haven’t received an invitation for a second round yet”.

It’s becoming increasingly likely that the actor will reprise his role as the Collector, as his statements suggest talks with Marvel Studios are moving forward. This could be a sign of his growing confidence in the character’s relevance within the Multiverse Saga. In any case, del Toro’s readiness to return is more apparent than ever, and the MCU has two ideal chances to bring this about.

The Collector’s MCU History and His Path Back to the Franchise

In the mid-credits scene of Thor: The Dark World, Taneleer Tivan, also known as The Collector, was given the task of safeguarding the Aether, or Reality Stone, by Asgardians. He then became a significant character in Guardians of the Galaxy, running his cosmic museum on Knowhere, a celestial head. His latest appearance in canon was during Avengers: Infinity War, where Thanos came to Knowhere to seize the Reality Stone. However, it was later revealed that Thanos had created an illusion to deceive the Guardians, leaving The Collector’s fate uncertain after his encounter with Thanos. It was subsequently disclosed in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special that he sold Knowwhere to the Guardians of the Galaxy, and since then, his whereabouts within the universe remain a mystery.

Due to the postponement of Avengers: Doomsday to ensure its grand scope and aspirations are fully realized, Marvel Studios now has additional time to refine their extensive cast, which could pave the way for popular characters like The Collector to reappear. As a cosmic collector with an affinity for unique artifacts, The Collector would be intrigued by the distinctive variations of heroes and villains arising from the multiversal clashes. In this capacity, he might prove to be a crucial, albeit self-serving, provider of information during the impending confrontation against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.

In the upcoming movie titled “Avengers: Secret Wars“, you’ll find a setting that seems tailor-made for a character like The Collector. The storyline of the comic book with the same name features Battleworld, a world pieced together from fragments of destroyed universes. A figure as grand and passionate as The Collector might flourish in such an environment, perhaps governing his own realm built on his cherished collection or clinging to artifacts from vanished realities.

According to Marvel Studios’ chief, Kevin Feige, additional actors from the Avengers: Doomsday film are set to be unveiled soon. With Guillermo del Toro recently expressing optimism about his role, this could be the most convincing hint yet that the enigmatic character Taneleer Tivan will feature in their upcoming plans.

Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.

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2025-06-03 12:42