Summary
Marvel Studios’Eternalsopened to abysmal box office numbers and rotten reviews from critics. However, the studio may give the failed IP a second chance at success with an animated series.
Disney suffered a staggering $50 million loss due to the poor performance ofEternals. The film boasted a brand-new team of post-Endgamesuperheroes and ended with several unanswered questions. The story was intended to continue, but after the flop, the MCU seemingly carried onas ifEternalsnever happened.
RELATED:Will Marvel Ever Acknowledge The Cliffhangers From Eternals?
However, according to a new scoop from independent journalistDaniel Richtman, Disney Plus may be adding anEternalsshow to its impressive slate ofanimated series likeWhat If…?. According to the insider, the untitled MCU show will be influenced by Anime. Richtman even shared a short synopsis for the mystery series that reads:
A clandestine group of ancient cosmic beings living undercover on Earth are trying to protect the world without being discovered by humans. They find themselves entangled in a cosmic battle that could reshape the fate of the universe.
Perhaps Marvel Studios plans to revive the Eternals in a less expensive format. A sequel seems unlikely,according toEternalsstar Kumail Nanjiani. However, a series may allow creators to address loose ends left untied in the film without the financial risk of another live-action blockbuster. The logline certainly sounds like it could be anEternalsrevival, potentially even taking place before the events of the MCU film. However, some speculate that the logline may not refer toEternalsbut could relate to Marvel’sInhumans.
The synopsis provided by Richtman is vague enough that it could be referring to either team of superhumans. Technically, Inhumans are humans with powers due to mutated genes from exposure to Terrigen mist. On the other hand, Eternals are an offshoot of humans created purposefully by alien Celestials to defend the Earth. Given that the logline revealed by Richtman refers to the characters as “ancient cosmic beings” who are “trying to protect the world,” there is a good chance that the new show will be anEternalsadaptation.
Although the film was commercially and critically unsuccessful, some MCU fans are still anticipatingthe return of theEternals. Currently, the best bet for an MCU tie-in will be the upcomingAvengers: Secret Wars.Kang Dynastyis also in question, but the future ofAvengers 5remains in the air due to the recent Jonathan Majors scandal.
If Richtman’s scoop manifests as he claims, it may mean Marvel Studios is relegating the IP to animation after its disappointing film debut. Of course, it’s also possible that Marvel Studios will decide to continue the story in both formats.Harry Styles' Starfox will likely returnto the MCU after his cameo in the film, and there may be hope for the rest of the cast. Animated or not, fans remain optimistic that Marvel Studios will find a way to gracefully incorporate theEternalsback into the greater MCU and resolve a few of the mind-boggling cliffhangers.
Eternalsis streaming on Disney Plus.
MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes, including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
