Marvel Revives The Eternals After 3 Years, Only to Disrespect Them

After three long years since their debut in Eternals, Marvel has revived this enigmatic group for a pivotal storyline. However, this reintroduction may not represent a significant upgrade for the Eternals, as their initial cinematic exposure was met with mixed reviews and left several intriguing plot threads unresolved. Despite this, there’s growing optimism that future installments in the MCU may finally delve into these lingering narratives.

Recent developments enhance this optimism substantially. The trailer for Captain America: Brave New World features the celestial Tiamut—whose emergence was halted by the Eternals to save Earth—re-establishing a connection between the events of Eternals and the overarching Marvel storyline. This linkage hints that upcoming films and series might further explore the Eternals’ saga. In addition, the MCU’s latest release also subtly weaves the Eternals back into its narrative, albeit in a manner that might disappoint fans.

The Eternals’ Absence in the MCU

Despite the mixed reception of Eternals upon its 2021 release, the film successfully opened several tantalizing story arcs for the MCU. The revelation that Earth had been the target of a cosmic scheme, with a formidable being lying dormant beneath its surface—subsequently killed and left with half its form protruding from the planet—significantly altered the MCU landscape and may be further explored in Captain America: Brave New World.

However, since the release of Eternals, the titular team has largely been sidelined in the MCU. There have been faint echoes of their existence, such as Kingo’s brief appearance referenced in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, but no substantial involvement has occurred. This is particularly perplexing given the film’s ending, which set the stage for significant developments—half of the Eternals venture into outer space alongside Starfox, while the other half accompany Arishem the Judge to make potentially catastrophic decisions regarding Earth’s fate.

Could What If…? Season 3 Undermine the Eternals?

The latest episode of What If…? season 3 brings the Eternals back into focus, featuring Kingo as he navigates a battle against Agatha Harkness. Together, they form an alliance to thwart Arishem’s plan to devastate the planet. However, this plot twist diminishes the Eternals’ significance. It is revealed that Agatha has already defeated the majority of the team off-screen, absorbing their powers for herself.

What If…? season 3 premiered on December 22, 2024, with a schedule of daily episode releases through December 29, 2024.

While there’s undeniable chemistry between Agatha and Kingo, the premise that a single magic-user—albeit formidable—can easily best the Eternals undermines their established power dynamics. The original Eternals film painstakingly portrayed them as a formidable force, and it would be disappointing if their future appearances in the MCU continued to minimize their importance and legacy.

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