WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War, in theaters now.
With the largest cast ever assembled for an MCU film and a seemingly endless supply of Easter Eggs, eagle-eyed — rather — eagle-eared listeners may have caught the latest cameo in the blockbuster Avengers sequel.
Picking up directly after the events of last year’s Thor: Ragnarok, the Grandmaster’s vessel, Statesman, comes under attack from Thanos’ forces while en route to Earth. Before being cut off, a distress signal urgently requesting assistance for the beleaguered Asgardians opens Infinity War voiced by the man that first brought Thor to the MCU: Director Kenneth Branagh.
In an uncredited vocal cameo, the Northern Irish filmmaker takes the first lines of the latest MCU movie pleading for mercy in a transmission that is ultimately received by the Guardians of the Galaxy leading them to cross paths with the God of Thunder.
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Hired by Marvel Studios in 2008 to introduce Thor to the MCU, Branagh played a critical role in the early days of the now-powerhouse studio, personally casting Chris Hemsworth as the Asgardian Avenger with Tom Hiddleston as his brother Loki. Thor was released in 2011 to commercial and critical success with both Hemsworth and Hiddleston’s characters becoming integral parts of the MCU.
Since the release of Thor, Branagh has spoken positively of his experiences working with Marvel and its president, Kevin Feige, even being open to returning in some capacity. With his vocal cameo in Infinity War, it appears to have finally happened.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Infinity War stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Tom Hiddleston, and Josh Brolin. The film is currently out in theaters everywhere.