Marvel Subtly Changes Thanos' Story In MCU Canon, 4 Years After His Death

The Evolution of Thanos' Backstory

Marvel Studios has changed one piece of Thanos' backstory in the MCU, with Phase 5's What If...? season 2 finally revealing new details about his villainous team of allies.

Nebula looking at the camera in What If...? season 2 episode 1

What If...? season 2 premiered on December 22, 2023, with 'What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?,' an episode focused on Karen Gillan's Nebula, who is recruited into the Nova Corps following Thanos' defeat at the hands of Ronan the Accuser.

Nebula on Xandar in What If...? season 2 episode 1

The Mad Titan Thanos himself wasn't featured in the series' premiere episode, but Marvel Studios has still managed to develop the supervillain's backstory in some interesting ways, expanding his story even four years after his death in 2019's Avengers: Endgame.

Thanos and the Black Order in Avengers Endgame

In the live-action MCU timeline, the Mad Titan Thanos spent much of his life acquiring a huge and formidable army, but its Generals were some of the most powerful and frightening villains in the MCU's history. Collectively known as the Children of Thanos, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, Corvus Glaive and Cull Obsidian debuted in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War. The group helped Thanos collect the six Infinity Stones, and fought during the Battle of Earth alongside their adoptive father in Avengers: Endgame. Along with the Mad Titan, the Children of Thanos were killed in Endgame, but received a new mention in What If...? season 2's premiere episode under a new name.

Thanos with his sword in Avengers Endgame

What If...? season 2 has brought about a significant change in Thanos' backstory, shedding light on his villainous team of allies and their evolution in the MCU timeline.

Nebula with Yondu's arrow and data in What If...? season 2 episode 1

The Black Order's Revelation

Prior to What If...? season 2's premiere episode, the Children of Thanos had only ever been known by that name, with the group's other moniker in Marvel Comics not receiving a mention. However, 'What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?' saw Garthan Saal deliver the first confirmation that the Children of Thanos also worked as the Black Order.

Loki and the Black Order in Avengers Endgame

The original Black Order in Marvel Comics comprised Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, Corvus Glaive, Black Dwarf and Supergiant, though the latter two were replaced by Cull Obsidian in the MCU. These villains had been adopted by Thanos during his universal conquest, yet didn't include Nebula and Gamora - until now.

What If...? season 2 has revealed a significant detail about the Black Order, linking Nebula and Gamora with the group and adding a new dimension to their characters' backstories.

The Impact of the Revelation

Originally, Nebula and Gamora weren't depicted as members of the Black Order, despite having also been adopted by Thanos prior to their debuts in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy. Many have questioned over the last decade whether the pair had been members of the supervillain group prior to Guardians of the Galaxy, though Marvel Studios has never given any confirmation.

However, What If...? season 2 has now changed this by confirming that Nebula was, in fact, a member of the Black Order, with Garthan Saal referring to her as 'Black Order trash,' though she bites back noting that she is 'former Black Order.'

The revelation in What If...? season 2 has expanded the backstory of Nebula and Gamora, providing a new perspective on their characters and their ties to Thanos' villainous team.

New episodes of What If...? season 2 release daily at 3am ET/12am PT on Disney+.