It is incomprehensible to think that Thanos would ever part with an Infinity Stone. Yet he gave the Mind Stone to Loki. This became crucial to everything that’s happened in the MCU ever since.
Avengers: Endgame assured to conclude that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s underlying narrative (that nearly took a decade in making) has successfully given the biggest plot-holes over the course of the 20-film long history of the franchise. Still one of the biggest theories yet to be revealed is why Thanos entrusted the Mind Stone to Loki during the events of 2012’s The Avengers? What could’ve been the reason of the Mad Titan giving away the most precious thing in the universe to him? Well, here we explain why.
Thanos was eventually successful in his bid to get all the six Infinity Stones to power the Infinity Gauntlet (as seen in last year’s Avengers: Infinity War). But, this wily MCU super-villain gave away the only Infinity Stone he had obtained at that point. It seemed like a needlessly reckless and out of character decision. Especially, considering the Mad Titan was giving it to a figure renowned for trickery and deceit. Also, who he had met no more than a year ago.
The Clue from the Avengers Screenwriters
During the promotions of Avengers: Infinity War, screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely opened about it. It was actually speculated that Loki’s scepter in The Avengers was not originally intended to be an Infinity Stone by filmmaker Joss Whedon and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.
The scepter was explained to contain the Mind Stone in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. This move introduced one more Infinity Stone in an MCU artifact and also explained the scepter’s power of mind controlling.
Loki was planned as the central antagonist of the ensemble movie by original screenwriter Zak Penn. While assuming Thanos to be the larger villain in this wide Marvel mythos and a bigger threat to be teased for future films. Whedon suggested the Mad Titan to be the real mastermind behind Loki’s plan. He was surprised to receive Marvel Studios’ blessing to include him.
The Change in Storyline and Destiny of the Mind Stone
Deep into production of Guardians Of The Galaxy, Josh Brolin was announced to be voicing and providing motion-capture for Thanos. The real importance of the Infinity Stones in the MCU was expanded on in a mid-credits scene for Thor: The Dark World.
It became clear that Marvel Studios was taking inspiration from Thanos’ most notable appearance in The Infinity Gauntlet comic book storyline. Fans started to speculate how Loki’s scepter holds the Mind Stone. The scepter allowed him to control individuals like Doctor Selvig and Hawkeye.
When it became clear that Marvel Studios was taking inspiration from Thanos’ most notable appearance in The Infinity Gauntlet comic book storyline. Fans started to speculate how Loki’s scepter holds the Mind Stone. The scepter allowed him to control individuals like Doctor Selvig and Hawkeye.
In Age Of Ultron, the nominal robotic villain using the Infinity Stone to activate Vision further confirmed the speculation. It was also disclosed that Hydra had previously used the stone’s energy to give superpowers to the Maximoff twins through the genetic experimentation. The scene was first teased in the mid-credits scene for Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Loki losing the Mind Stone inspired Thanos’ quest for the Infinity Gauntlet
Loki lost the Mind Stone on Earth. An annoyed and frustrated Thanos then became intent on laying hands on the Infinity Gauntlet. Thanos’s decision to lay his hands dirty was cemented when Ronan the Accuser stole the Power Stone for himself in the original Guardians of the Galaxy.
Thanos went ahead to trust his Black Order to help him retrieve the Infinity Stones as part of his ongoing mission. But the Mad Titan himself would play a much more hands-on role in their recovery. He then Actively participated in the attacks on the Asgardian survivors to acquire the Space Stone. He thrashed the Collector’s archives on Knowhere to claim the Reality Stone. Thanos then ventured to Vormir with Gamora to obtain the Soul Stone.
But why did Thanos part with the Mind Stone in the first place
At the end of Infinity War, Thanos stood against the heroes alone in his attempt to take the Time Stone from Doctor Strange. Following the demolishment of the Black Order, took away the Mind Stone from Vision. Mind Stone, was formerly the first and only Infinity Stone possessed by Thanos. Years later, it became the final stone the Mad Titan obtained.
Loki’s scepter housing the Mind Stone became one of the most convenient and blatant retcons in the history of MCU. In-universe, it could be attributed to an early tactical error by Thanos, who underestimated the heroes of Earth. It shows that the Titan dismissed the possibility that Avengers would ever effectively work together.
Loki paid the ultimate price for his earlier failure at the hands of Thanos (literally).
Although, the idea that the super-villain would ever part ways with an Infinity Stone even before the completion of his plan is one that was never addressed again.
