Thanos (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

"Fun isn't something one considers when balancing the universe. But this... does put a smile on my face." (Avengers: Infinity War)

Thanos (played by Josh Brolin) is the villainous protagonist of Avengers: Infinity War, the third Avengers movie, and the first culmination of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He seeks to unify the six infinity stones, and use their granted omnipotence to kill half of the universe's life, restoring balance to an unsustainable universe.

Fatherhood is a prominent theme throughout the third phase of the MCU. Many of these father figures fill villain roles, but none lean so heavily into the father role as Thanos. Vulture from Spider-Man: Homecoming and Ego from Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 both fill the role of villainous fathers, but both have ultimately selfish intentions. Vulture claims to be providing for his family, but from the glimpses the audience sees of his home life, he is more than comfortable, and could likely stop being a criminal. Ego is obviously self-serving, and only desires a child to continue his conquest. Thanos, however, has a goal that is truly selfless. He treats the entire universe as a sort of family, viewing any being of sentient life as a child of his. Unlike his comic counterpart, he views his goal not as an evil victory, but as a father's obligation. His goal is selfless in a twisted sort of way, which lends itself to a narrative structure in which he is the hero. The film ends on Thanos, looking almost retired, happy that he accomplished his goal. This solidifies that, despite his twisted actions, Thanos knows that he has accomplished a universe-saving feat, a feat worthy of being considered a hero.