Kevin Feige Dishes on Recasting Actor to Play Thanos in Marvel's Next Film

"The Avengers" had six of Marvel's elite superheroes, but it was Thanos who stole fanboys' attention despite the fact that the supervillain only appeared very briefly in the mid-credit scene of the film. While in the Earth's Mightiest Heroes film the character was brought to life by Damion Poitier, his appearance in the next Marvel films might look significantly different.

Speaking about who would play Thanos in Marvel's next movies, Marvel boss Kevin Feige hinted that the studio could find another actor instead of bringing back Poitier. He told MTV News, "I think we feel pretty free to recast. That was cast for literally that one shot. Depending on what role requires from future movies, we'll go from there."

During the chat, Feige also revealed that the studio's decision to feature the purple-skinned villain in "Avengers" was not without purpose. "There's a great track record now about lobbing something in at the last moment to get the audience buzzing," he said.

"Particularly when it came to Thanos, [we knew] that most people in that audience had no idea who that purple guy was - but they could clearly tell he was important, and knew if they asked the two or three people sitting next to them, somebody would know who he was."

Without revealing too many details, Feige opened up that Marvel had big plans for Thanos in "Phase 2" project, particularly in "The Avengers 2" and possibly "Guardians of the Galaxy". He teased, "Clearly, there's a purpose to us putting him in the end of that ['Avengers'] movie. We do have plans for him."

"I wouldn't say we ever feel the need to rush anything one way or the other," he added. "We succeeded in 'Phase One' because we stuck to our guns and stuck to the plan. That plan took place over many, many years and it ultimately paid off."

"I see 'Phase Two' unfolding in the same way of us taking our time, us doing what's right for each individual movie, while folding in elements that will not only build up to the culmination of 'Phase Two', but even 'Phase Three'."

It has recently been reported that Thanos was confirmed to appear in both "Avengers 2" and "Guardians of the Galaxy". Aside from bringing back Thanos, the "Avengers" sequel might introduce some new names. Marvel co-chairman Louis D'Esposito hinted, "We discussed it at the time and I think in 'The Avengers 2' will see some new characters."

"We're currently working on Phase 2 and we have 'Iron Man 3', 'Thor: The Dark World' and 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' so we returned to those franchises to enlarge them, but I think in 'The Avengers 2' will see one or two new characters."

"The Avengers 2" will hit the U.S. cinemas on May 1, 2015.