Concerns are rising that the beloved speedster from the MCU, Makkari, portrayed by Lauren Ridloff, may not make a reappearance following her introduction in 2021’s Eternals. Ridloff’s recent statements regarding the likelihood of her character returning in Avengers: Doomsday have left fans questioning the future of the Eternals within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although Marvel Studios has announced the first 27 actors for Avengers: Doomsday, many notable characters—including those played by Mark Ruffalo, Brie Larson, and Tom Holland—have seemingly been sidelined, leaving fans longing for their return.
As superhero teams prepare to unite against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in the upcoming film, the absence of the Eternals is particularly disheartening. This celestial team was first introduced in the 2021 film Eternals, part of Phase 4 of the MCU, yet their future remains uncertain. Ridloff’s recent comments only deepen the mystery surrounding their potential return. Skipping over the Eternals and their impressive cast would be a significant oversight for Marvel Studios, considering the depth and intrigue they added to the MCU.
Lauren Ridloff Believes Makkari’s Return Is Unlikely
Makkari Debuted Alongside Her Fellow Eternals in 2021
The ensemble cast of Eternals featured an impressive array of talent, including Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, and Richard Madden, alongside Ridloff as Makkari. Makkari, blessed with super-speed, brought a captivating new dimension to the MCU. Fans were thrilled by her abilities depicted in Eternals, creating concerns about her future in the franchise following Ridloff’s statements.
In an interview with The Direct at the premiere of the documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, Ridloff remarked that it was “not likely”Makkari would reappear in Avengers: Doomsday or any future MCU projects. This marks a shift in her previous optimism expressed to Business Insider in 2022, where she confidently suggested she hoped Makkari would return.
The Direct: You played Makkari in Eternals, which I loved, by the way. We haven’t seen that character since. So, I wanted to know if Marvel has given you any hints about when we might see [the Eternals] next. Because, after all, the next Avengers film is starting up soon.
Lauren Ridloff: Not likely. I don’t know, my magic eight-ball is telling me, ‘Not likely.’
Up to this point, the only mention of the Eternals in the MCU has been through the animated series What If…?, which featured a storyline involving Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo. The critical reception for Eternals has led Marvel to seemingly sideline this group of unique heroes. Despite its criticism, the film is beginning to garner a renewed sense of appreciation from fans, and it feels like a crucial moment to reintegrate the Eternals into the broader narrative of the MCU.
A Desire for the Eternals to Resurface in the MCU
My Affection for the Eternals and Hope for Their Comeback
Marvel Studios’ dismissal of the Eternals would be a grave mistake. Their introduction brought fresh storytelling to the MCU and added an intriguing mythology that complements the existing narratives, bridging important gaps in the timeline and altering the franchise’s landscape. Despite the film’s initial criticisms, the unique contributions of the Eternals deserve to be revisited and explored further.
The challenge with Eternals was its ambitious attempt to introduce numerous characters, limiting the depth of storytelling each could receive due to runtime constraints. This did not hinder the potential depth these characters could offer. Having the Eternals return could resolve various unanswered questions from their first film while also allowing for greater character development, enriching their role in the MCU.
|
MCU Eternal |
Actor |
Power |
|---|---|---|
|
Sersi |
Gemma Chan |
Matter Transmutation |
|
Ikaris |
Richard Madden |
Flight, Optic Blasts |
|
Ajak |
Salma Hayek |
Healing |
|
Druig |
Barry Keoghan |
Mental Manipulation |
|
Kingo |
Kumail Nanjiani |
Energy Projection |
|
Makkari |
Lauren Ridloff |
Speed |
|
Gilgamesh |
Don Lee |
Energy Exoskeleton |
|
Thena |
Angelina Jolie |
Weapon Manifestation |
|
Phastos |
Brian Tyree Henry |
Construct Creation |
|
Sprite |
Lia McHugh |
Illusion Manipulation |
|
Eros’ Starfox |
Harry Styles |
Cosmic Energy Manipulation |
Makkari, as portrayed by Ridloff, has become my favorite Eternals character, and I was disappointed by the limited focus she received in her debut. Her super-speed was depicted in a fresh manner that distinctly set her apart from characters like the Flash or Quicksilver. The realism in how her speed was illustrated, combined with her heartfelt nature, solidified my affinity for Makkari. I am eager to see her back in future MCU projects.
Potential Avenues for Makkari & The Eternals in the MCU
Holding Out Hope for the Eternals’ Return
While Ridloff’s comments raise concerns about the fate of Makkari and the Eternals, it would indeed be a missed opportunity for Marvel Studios to overlook them entirely. If Avengers: Doomsday does not feature them, I believe there are still numerous possibilities for the Eternals to make a comeback. A sequel specifically dedicated to the Eternals would provide an ideal platform for expanding their narratives.
As cosmic beings, the Eternals could seamlessly integrate into a future installment, such as Thor 5, where we could see them forge alliances with characters like Thor. Additionally, a role in the anticipated Avengers: Secret Wars could be on the horizon, though I have concerns that a forthcoming soft reboot might sideline the team. Recent developments in Captain America: Brave New World have already touched upon the Celestials, setting the stage for the Eternals to once again play a pivotal role in the MCU.