Marvel Is Right To Leave These Franchises Be

As Kevin Feige and the rest of Marvel keep moving through their plans for the MCU in the near and distant future, there are things that are known and things are remain unknown. Sometimes there are items that are known by Feige that aren’t public yet, and sometimes not even Feige knows exactly where the MCU is going after its next phase. Trying to keep as much of their unannounced plans under wrap as possible, without sending a message one way or the other to the fanbase is something Feige specifically has mastered.

He displayed those skills yet again earlier this fall when he made an appearance at D23 Brazil and shed a bit of light on what Disney has planned for the near future while also at least discussing some items that could be further into the future. Because Feige is intentionally vague when talking about projects that haven’t been announced, there is a chance that people will take what he says one way, while others take it another. But what seems clear from his comments at D23 Brazil is that while Marvel isn’t totally killing off two IPs his comments shouldn’t breed much confidence. And if Eternals and The Inhumans are being left in the past as it appears, then it is the right call, on both.

Related

Kevin Feige Sidestepped Queries on Kang’s MCU Fate Before SDCC Panel

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige avoided answering a question regarding Kang’s future in the MCU before the SDCC panel.

Marvel Has To Let The Eternals & Inhumans Go

During his presentation in Brazil, Feige was specifically asked about both the Eternals and The Inhumans and there are at least some people who think the comments were hopeful and meant that he still has plans for both at some point.

Feige addressed whether fans would see either IP eventually return to the MCU, considering that neither of the previous projects were well-received critically or commercially. Feige first admitted that there was definitely a poor reception for 2021’s Eternals, the Marvel chief admitted that he was “very proud of that movie.” When talking about the rather high-powered ensemble cast that included big names like Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington, Barry Keoghan, Salma Hayek, and Kumail Nanjiani, he made it clear that that Marvel would “be lucky to get any of them at some point.”

That comment alone should probably be taken as a sign that Feige isn’t all that hopeful all, or even most of those names would be willing to come back for an Eternals 2, especially considering how the movie wasn’t a remote commercial or critical success.

While there are some who are still hopeful that The Inhumans will also make a comeback, despite how poorly received and short-lived the TV show was, the door seems far less open than it does with the Eternals. While he did say some nice things about the show, it almost felt as though he was hinting that MCU fans already got what they were going to get with Black Bolt’s cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As for the rest of Black Bolt’s compatriots, the Marvel chief only said, “We’ll see where, if, and when they return.”

No MCU Mesh Exists

It’s not just that Eternals wasn’t a critical or financial darling when talking about whether or not it will ever make a return. There simply isn’t an easy way to mesh the story of that team into where the MCU is currently sitting. It might have been easier before the final Guardians of the Galaxy movies those stories delt with the same kind of space travel and space operas that another Eternals movie could offer.

However, more Avengers movies and even the Secret Wars films just dont’ seem to offer much in the way of an entry point for either the Eternals or The Inhumans. Though the Secret Wars does seem more likely to offer another glimpse of Black Bolt and his crew, should Marvel want to go there.

Best Left In MCU’s Past

Make no mistake about it, people are going to read into Feige’s comments what they want. Some will believe he was being coy and really wants to bring both teams back in the future. Just far enough in the future that he can’t talk about it yet. On the other hand, his comments were far more specific about characters like Miles Morales and Blade.

There will always be people who want to see the MCU return to The Inhumans and Eternals simply because they love their comic book stories. But it’s clear that neither was carried out very well once they made their live-action debuts. There isn’t a need to try and reboot and try again. Instead, Feige should do exactly what he was telegraphing with his comments. Both look like they’ll be left in the past and no one should try to bring them into the present. Let Marvel worry about getting other IPs right.

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.

Related

Spider-Man: Kevin Feige Gives Disappointing Update on Miles Morales’ MCU Debut

Spider-Man fans want to know when Miles Morales will join the MCU, but Kevin Feige indicates they must wait a while before his live-action debut.