What if the gods themselves judged humanity—and we failed? Chloé Zhao, the visionary director behind Marvel's Eternals, has expressed her eagerness to revisit this cosmic tale, despite its rocky reception. But here's where it gets controversial: while critics and audiences alike seemed to miss the point, Zhao sees Eternals as a modern myth—a 'pantheon of gods' reflecting on our flaws and triumphs. 'It’s about discussing the nature of humanity and ultimately their judgment,' she told Screenrant, emphasizing the film’s deeper philosophical undertones. And this is the part most people miss: Eternals wasn’t just another superhero flick; it was a bold attempt to explore existential questions through the lens of the MCU.
Yet, Marvel’s silence on a sequel speaks volumes. After a disappointing box office run and a 'Rotten' rating on Rotten Tomatoes (a label it now shares with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Captain America: Brave New World), the franchise’s future looks bleak. Worse, its high-profile failure—with a star-studded cast and lavish production—has left Marvel boss Kevin Feige confirming there are 'no immediate plans' for Eternals 2.
But Zhao isn’t giving up. She envisions a sequel that delves deeper into the gods’ judgment of humanity, asking: Are we kind to each other? Are we doing a good job as part of the universe’s cycle? These questions, she argues, are more relevant than ever. Yet, with characters like Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo relegated to a What If...? episode and the Celestial Tiamut’s fate reduced to a plot point in Captain America: Brave New World, it’s hard not to wonder if Eternals has been quietly shelved.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Did Eternals fail because it was ahead of its time, or did it simply miss the mark? Zhao’s ambition to treat superheroes as mythological figures was undeniably unique, but was the audience ready for such a departure from Marvel’s formula? And what about those dangling threads—Arishem’s judgment, Ikaris’s return, or even Harry Styles’ brief appearance as Eros? Will we ever get closure?
In the meantime, Zhao is moving forward with projects like Hamnet, a Shakespearean drama, and a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot. As for Marvel, it’s doubling down on safe bets like Spider-Man and Avengers sequels. But perhaps, after the dust settles, there might be room for Eternals—or at least Pip the Troll—to make a comeback.
What do you think? Was Eternals unfairly dismissed, or did it deserve its fate? Let’s debate in the comments—and maybe, just maybe, Marvel’s listening.
