It might have been a pretty dramatic moment seeing Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finally aim for the head and decapitate Thanos (Josh Brolin) in the very first act of Avengers: Endgame, but it turns out the Mad Titan died only because he already gave himself to death.
Marvel just recently released Avengers: Endgame on Digital HD, and thanks to the commentary track on the disc, fans get to learn about some of the secrets kept by the film's directors and writers.
This includes that scene in the film where the remaining members of the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy head off to find Thanos and undo the Snappening. However, when they find the Mad Titan, the heroes soon discover that Thanos had already destroyed the Infinity Stones, killing any chance of bringing back the lives lost in the Decimation.
Frustrated and angry, Thor hacks off Thanos's head – and that happens only because the villain allows him to.
"They only accomplish what Thanos lets them accomplish. He has finished his job and lets them kill him," Endgame screenwriter Christopher Markus reveals.
Of course, Thanos is also severely injured at the moment. If he would really have fought with the Avengers to preserve his life, he probably would have had a hard time. Perhaps this is why Thanos allows his fate to come to him instead of fighting for his life. That or Thanos already planned his death before the Avengers arrived.
Avengers: Endgame is now available for purchase on Digital HD.
Read: Why Avengers: Endgame Directors Used Time Travel Even Though It's Cliche