Chloé Zhao, acclaimed director of Marvel’s Eternals, recently discussed her outlook for the film’s characters and their place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The future of Chloé Zhao Marvel Eternals remains uncertain, as the original plans for expanding the story have not come to fruition, but Zhao’s insights highlight her creative vision and the themes she hoped to explore.
Eternals’ Journey: Release, Reception, and Storytelling Goals
Eternals premiered in 2021 with an ensemble cast and Chloé Zhao at the helm, generating significant anticipation. Known for her Academy Award win, Zhao intended to offer a new perspective on the gods of the Marvel universe, focusing on a pantheon of powerful characters grappling with their roles among humanity. The movie faced an uphill battle upon its release, coming out during the final stages of the global pandemic when audience turnout was already unpredictable. While the film’s cast and scope were considered ambitious, fans cited issues such as slow pacing, underdeveloped personalities, and a complex plot filled with exposition, leading Eternals to become the first Marvel entry to receive a “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sequel Hopes Fade, Character Futures Uncertain
Marvel Studios initially intended for Eternals to lead to a sequel and for unresolved storylines seen in the film’s post-credit scenes to be woven further into the cinematic universe. However, plans for a direct follow-up have quietly faded. Outside of a few Eternals characters appearing in animated Marvel series and a brief reference to the events of the film in “Captain America: Brave New World,” the storyline has largely been left untouched in the broader MCU. As a result, the door has remained open for speculation about whether the characters might still return in future installments.
Zhao’s Reflections on Themes and the Potential for Return
When questioned about the direction Eternals could take in the Marvel universe, Zhao explained her intentions for the film’s themes and addressed the possibility of a sequel. She said:
“I would love that! Look, you’re right, and you understood it. It’s about a pantheon of gods discussing the nature of humanity, and ultimately their judgment. Which is what Arishem said, ‘I’ll be back for judgment. And the reason why those brief plays existed is for humanity to see how the gods are seeing us, so we could evaluate how we were as a part of this cycle of the universe. Are we doing a good job? Are we kind to each other? Are we getting to know ourselves well enough? It’s there for a reason, this kind of myth, and these [MCU] films are a modern version of that to me. So, I would love to bring them back and have more discussion about the world we live in. I’m really proud of it.”
— Chloé Zhao, Director
Zhao emphasized that the concept of divine beings reflecting on humanity’s progress and morality is integral not just to the Eternals, but also to how she perceives the broader mythological scope of the Marvel franchise. Her remarks underline her pride in contributing these ideas to the MCU and her interest in potentially revisiting these themes through further stories.
Outlook for Eternals in the Marvel Universe
Although Eternals introduced new characters and viewpoints to the superhero series, ongoing appearances of these figures have been minimal since the film’s debut. Fans continue to express interest in seeing a follow-up, and Zhao remains hopeful that her vision might be explored in the MCU’s future. Notably, references to Arishem and the judgments faced by humanity suggest that Marvel may still revisit these stories as it expands its cinematic universe. Ultimately, whether the Eternals story will be continued or its themes rediscovered in upcoming projects is uncertain. However, the film’s legacy persists as a thoughtful and ambitious chapter in the Marvel saga.
