What Happened to Eternals?

Released in November 2021, Marvel Studios' "Eternals" aimed to expand the cosmic mythology of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing a team of ancient, immortal beings who have secretly lived on Earth for millennia. Directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao, the film featured an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Kumail Nanjiani. The narrative explored themes of humanity, destiny, and the moral complexities of non-interference, culminating in a dramatic cliffhanger involving the Celestial Arishem's judgment of Earth and the introduction of Eros (Harry Styles) and Pip the Troll in a post-credits scene.

Upon its release, "Eternals" faced a divisive critical reception, becoming the first and only Marvel film at the time to be rated "Rotten" on Rotten Tomatoes by critics, with a score of 47%, though audience scores were more favorable at 77%. Commercially, the film grossed just over $400 million worldwide, a figure considered modest for an MCU blockbuster, especially given its lavish production and star-studded cast. This performance led to significant speculation regarding the viability of a direct sequel.

For a period, the prospects of "Eternals 2" seemed dim. In July 2024, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige explicitly stated that there were "no immediate plans for Eternals 2". This sentiment was echoed by various industry reports in August 2024, which indicated that a sequel was not in active development. Director Chloé Zhao, however, expressed her desire to return for a sequel in November 2025, hoping to further explore the characters and themes.

The situation became more complex and contradictory in mid-2026. In August 2026, actor Patton Oswalt, who appeared as Pip the Troll, claimed on "The Today Show" that "Eternals 2" is happening and that Chloé Zhao would return to direct. This statement, however, conflicts with a July 2026 YouTube report claiming "Eternals 2" was officially confirmed with Angelina Jolie and Kit Harington returning, but explicitly stating Zhao was not expected to direct. Oswalt himself had previously walked back a similar claim in February 2023, admitting he didn't know anything definitive.

Despite the conflicting information surrounding a direct sequel, the possibility of individual Eternals characters appearing in other MCU projects remains a consistent topic of discussion. "Captain America: Brave New World" (expected 2025) is confirmed to acknowledge the events of "Eternals," particularly the emergence of the Celestial Tiamut from the ocean. Furthermore, reports in March 2026 suggested that an Eternal could re-enter the MCU, potentially in "Avengers: Secret Wars". The Season 2 finale of "X-Men '97" in August 2026 also introduced a concept related to Celestials that could pave the way for the Eternals' return. As of August 15, 2026, while a direct "Eternals 2" remains unconfirmed by Marvel Studios, the recent buzz from actors and the potential for character integration into the broader Multiverse Saga suggest that the Eternals' story in the MCU may not be entirely over.