Key Takeaways:
– Eternals, released in 2021, became one of the lowest grossing films in MCU’s Phase 4.
– Only Captain America: The First Avenger, a Phase 1 MCU film, grossed less but still got sequels.
– Despite the lower earnings, no sequel has been announced for Eternals.
– Angelina Jolie expressed her desire to delve deeper into her character’s narrative in future MCU films.
Eternals Stugger Than Expected Amid MCU’s Successful Journey
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which started with humble beginnings, has burgeoned into one of the most successful Hollywood franchises. It experienced a gargantuan success with the Infinity Saga but ran into some hiccups in its dream run post-Endgame. Last year’s Eternals garnered less popularity among the fans, making it one of the lowest-earning films in the MCU’s vast catalogue.
Comparing Eternals with Captain America: The First Avenger
Despite lower grossing, the MCU film Captain America: The First Avenger benefitted from its positioning as a pillar of the MCU’s founding stage. Released during Phase 1, it introduced audiences to Chris Evans in the avatar of Steve Rogers, a skinny soldier transformed into the titular superhero, Captain America. Although it didn’t meet the financial success enjoyed by contemporaries Iron Man and Thor, fan reception and loyalty secured sequels for Captain America.
Notwithstanding a lukewarm $370 million box office gross against a production budget of $149 million, the film’s success was not merely financial. The story and the character resonated with audiences, paving the way for its sequels, which were both critically and commercially successful.
However, the foundation of comparing these two MCU films lies in their box office numbers. Like Captain America, the Eternals faced underwhelming performance at the box office, generating only $402 million against a hefty $236.2 million production budget. Despite this, Eternals has not been greenlit for a sequel, breaking the pattern set by the Captain America Series.
Why Captain America Flourished And Eternals Fell Short
Character development was crucial in Captain America’s success story. This film established his morality and ideals so immaculately that fans craved more. His emergence as a co-leader of Avengers alongside Iron Man was beloved by audiences, warranting successful follow-ups.
Following the blockbuster that was Avengers: Endgame, fans held soaring expectations for Eternals. Unfortunately, the movie was unable to meet this bar, leading to its underwhelming performance at the box office. Fans now wait with bated breath, wondering about the future of Eternals.
Future of Eternals and Angelina Jolie’s Interest
Appearing as the character Thena in Eternals, Angelina Jolie showed great interest in the complexity of her character’s narrative. Her character, suffering from a form of dementia known as Mahd Wy’ry, had an intriguing and tragic arc, which Jolie wishes to explore more. Expressing her excitement about featuring in more Marvel movies, she revealed her eagerness to further unveil the intricacies of her character in future MCU storylines.
As we move forward, the return of the Eternals in the MCU remains uncertain. Should they return, it is plausible that they may appear in future Avengers films. Fans who wish to relive or evaluate the Eternals’ storyline can watch the 2021 film on Disney+ and join in speculating about its future. The MCU’s journey, while proving largely successful, continues to evolve, holding space for both triumphs and tribulations. Only time will tell if the Eternals share the same fate as Captain America.
