One of
Avengers: Infinity War's biggest surprises came when we learned that
Captain America: The First Avenger villain the Red Skull had been transported to Vormir and forced to guard the Soul Stone. He was ultimately freed by Thanos, and later by Hawkeye (albeit in a different timeline).
Now, the villain's big screen future is uncertain, but Ross Marquand - who replaced Hugo Weaving as the character in
Infinity War and
Avengers: Endgame - has some ideas where he could go next.
"[Directors Anthony and Joe Russo] said once the Red Skull is released of the Soul Stone, once Thanos gets it and then once Hawkeye gets it, he's essentially free," Marquand explained during a recent interview. "But if we think about it, there's all these different multiverses now. So in one multiverse, when Thanos frees him, he's free. I would imagine the first thing he would do if he still has a vendetta, or if any part of him still has ambition, would go back to Earth."
"Maybe he wants to enact revenge, maybe he wants to keep his diabolical plan going," Marquand continued. "Or maybe he doesn't care at all. I imagine when you're graced with infinite wisdom, you're also graced, or cursed, with infinite pain and suffering. So he's probably, I would imagine on one level, he's over it. He doesn't need to conquer anybody, because he's [unliving]."
If the Red Skull is indeed free now, then it would make sense for him to return to Earth and seek vengeance on those that wronged him. However, as Marquand would go on to point out, it's possible that he now sees himself above such small matters, especially after gaining the wisdom of the Infinity Stones and spending so many years guarding one on Vormir.
As for whether
The Walking Dead actor has been asked to return, he noted:
"I haven't, but I would jump at the chance to do it again. I think that role obviously belongs to Hugo, he is the person that originated it and I loved what he did with that. If his heart is in a different place and he no longer wants to return, I would truly again be honored to play that character again."
With any luck, we will get to see more of this iconic villain in the MCU because there are definitely stories left to be told with him. But now that Steve Rogers is no longer around, perhaps Skull's adventures would be better explored in a film revolving around Captain America's journey through time.
What do you guys think?
CLICK HERE to check out some images of the "Battle Damaged" Thanos Hot Toys action figure!