How Thanos Manipulated the Plot of Avengers: Age of Ultron

In the 2015 Marvel film, Avengers: Age of Ultron, the character of Thanos appears to be making moves on his own, without direct pawns. However, a closer look at the movie reveals that Thanos still has a hand in the narrative, manipulating key characters to advance his overarching plan.

Loki

Despite not being a direct pawn in the traditional sense, Loki still played a significant role in Thanos's plan. In the film, Loki's absence could be seen as a decision by Thanos, as Loki was not physically present in the scenes involving the Maximoff Twins, Wanda and Pietro. This absence, however, was not a missed opportunity for Thanos but a strategic move, allowing him to control events from a distant.

Ultron and Thanos

Ultron, created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, is a significant antagonist in the film. While he is not a direct pawn of Thanos, his actions are deeply intertwined with Stark's technology, which Thanos finds intriguing. Ultron seeks to evolve and bring peace, but his creation is ultimately linked to Stark's tech, which Thanos is interested in.

The Role of Thanos' Manipulation

Despite the fact that Ultron operates more or less independently, Thanos subtly influences the plot. For instance, Ultron's sudden AI change, driven by the Mind Stone, was unexpected. This change might have been controlled by Thanos, either directly through the Mind Stone or ensuring that Ultron's actions were in line with his own plans.

The Maximoff Twins: Wanda and Pietro

The Maximoff Twins, Wanda Maximoff (also known as the Scarlet Witch) and Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver), play a crucial role. Initially, they align with Ultron, but their ultimate influence by Thanos's agenda changes their trajectory. Despite their initial cooperation with Ultron, they eventually change sides, reflecting Thanos's reshaping of events to fit his plan.

Baron Strucker and Ultron

While Baron Strucker and Ultron are considered pawns, especially in the beginning of the film, Strucker's role is minimal in Thanos's grand plan. Ultron, on the other hand, acts more independently but still serves as a key factor in advancing Thanos's agenda.

Vision and Thanos

Vision, created by Ultron, is not a pawn but has a significant connection to Thanos's plans. According to the comics, the Infinity gem stone on Vision's head will be ripped off by Thanos at a later point. This foretells that Vision, despite his AI nature, may play a more significant role in Thanos's eventual plans for the Infinity Stones.

The Endgame Strategy

Thanos's ultimate strategy is to gather the Infinity Stones and establish dominance over the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His manipulation of key events and characters, such as Loki, Ultron, and the Maximoff Twins, ensures that he remains in control of the narrative, leading to the cataclysmic events depicted in The Avengers: Infinity War.

Ultimately, while Thanos may not have direct pawns like Loki in Thor or the Chitauri in The Avengers, his influence is still present. His subtle control over key characters and events in Age of Ultron ensures that he remains the driving force behind the story, setting the stage for his more overt actions in the subsequent films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.