One of the most well-known fan theories floated among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the infamous “Thanus” theory. For years, fans have questioned if it could have actually worked, and Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd still finds himself wondering about it often.
Rudd reflected on the fan theory during a new interview with ComicBook.com to promote his new film Death of a Unicorn. His co-star, Jenna Ortega, was not quite familiar with the theory, leading to Rudd having to explain it to her. As Rudd shared, the theory comes down to wondering if Ant-Man could have shrunken himself down, entered Thanos’ body through the supervillain’s derrière, and then transform into Giant-Man, causing Thanos to explode. Rudd isn’t quite sure if the plan would be effective, but he admits to finding himself pondering the possibility, even still.
“I often wonder, though, could he really have stopped Thanos in that way? Because didn’t he, at that point, have the Space Stone or whatever?” Rudd said. He then added, addressing Ortega, “Do you know what we’re talking about? There was a theory — going against Thanos, why didn’t Ant-Man just … instead of Thanos, it was ‘Thanus,’ go up Thanos and then expand.”
Rudd may still be curious, though he had previously commented on his problem with the “Thanus” theory. In 2022, he addressed the theory in a video that was played for fans during the “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” section on the Disney Cruise. The actor referred to the theory as “gross,” questioning why fans had to focus on that particular orifice when there are many other possible entry points on Thanos’ body for Ant-Man to choose.
“A lot of people have asked me recently if I shrink down and go… into Thanos, in a certain orifice, and then grow giant size… But why not the ear or the nose? Why does it have to be [that]?” Paul questioned.
Avengers: Endgame Co-Writer Stephen Markus Isn’t Buying the Theory
One of the writers of Avengers: Endgame, Stephen Markus, has also thrown cold water on the theory. Markus explained how Thanos’ body was able to withstand great punishment, to such a degree that if Ant-Man were to expand inside of him, the MCU hero would be the one brutally killed.
“Thanos could take a punch from the Hulk, we’ve seen that. And it stands to reason his whole body is at least as strong as that,” Markus said, per Empire. “If Ant-Man expanded, he would be simply crushed against the immovable walls of Thanos’ mighty rectum.”
That wouldn’t have been the best way to go for Ant-Man in the MCU, so perhaps it’s all for the best that the plan was not enacted by Ant-Man in Avengers: Endgame