Eternals 2 Must Have More Celestials To Avoid The First Movie's Mistakes

Eternals was likely the most divisive project of the MCU's Phase 4, and if Eternals 2 is going to succeed, Marvel Studios need to do something different like focusing more on the Celestials themselves. Chloé Zhao certainly created one of the more visually beautiful films in the MCU but it was always going to be a difficult job to introduce ten major characters in one project. Many felt as though the Eternals were short-changed by debuting so many in one go, meaning none truly got the development they deserved, but this can be rectified when Marvel inevitably announces a follow-up to Eternals.

One huge positive that came out of Eternals being released in Phase 4 was the expansion of the cosmic side of the MCU, and the Celestial species in particular. Celestials had been mentioned in previous MCU projects several times, dating as far back as Thor: The Dark World, but became much more prevalent with the introduction of Knowhere in Guardians of the Galaxy and Ego the Living Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. For Eternals 2 to succeed where its predecessor faltered, the Celestials should become the main focus of the project, which could, in turn, introduce one of Marvel Comics' most formidable cosmic villains.

Why Was Eternals Such A Divisive Phase 4 Project?

Eternals received some negative feedback stating that it didn't fit in with the wider world of the MCU, but also conflicting reviews that it lacked the filmmaking quality of Zhao's previous films by conforming too much to the Marvel formula. Even so, the film had plenty of other pitfalls that meant that it quickly became one of the most divisive projects in the MCU's Phase 4, with many feeling as though the project's ambition also spelled its fate. Most MCU projects introduce one or two heroes to Marvel Studios' roster, but Eternals tried to debut ten new heroes as well as develop the Celestials' backstories.

On a wider level, Phase 4 came under scrutiny due to the lack of interconnectivity between projects, with Eternals being a major component in this criticism. Links were dropped through the discussion of Thanos' snap and the events of the Blip, Thanos' brother, Eros, turned up during the mid-credits scene, and Mahershala Ali debuted as Blade in a voice-only cameo in the post-credits scene. But most of the story felt separated from the MCU and its wider narrative. Eternals 2 needs to fit into the MCU better if it's going to receive a more positive reception.

Focusing On The Celestials Can Expand On The Eternals’ Story

A Celestial is frozen in the water in Eternals

Recent rumors have posed that Marvel Studios are dedicated to producing more projects focused on the Eternals, with some ideas carrying weight, including a potential prequel series for Disney+ featuring the separated Eternals in different periods throughout history, and a possible second film exploring Dane Whitman and the Eternals' confrontation of the Celestials. Both of these ideas would help to develop plotlines started in Eternals in ways that would avoid the mistakes of the first film, but for Eternals 2, the Celestials should be the main focus since they've been around in the MCU for years, but audiences still don't know much about the godly beings.

The Celestials are a rich resource that Marvel Studios can delve deep into to develop their role in the MCU and the Eternals stories. The origin of the Eternals was changed significantly in Eternals from the Marvel Comics source material, where they had originally been an evolution of humanity, instead of robots created by the Celestials. More details can be revealed about the Eternals' story in the MCU if the Celestials are developed further, and now that four of the Eternals have been killed or retired, the leaner team's story should be easier to expand with fewer distractions.

How Can Eternals 2 Introduce Galactus To The MCU?

With several empty slots still open in the MCU's Phase 6, many are expecting Eternals 2 to release at some point before Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. This could work in its favor and help to mend interconnectivity issues as Eternals 2 could potentially introduce the next big bad for the MCU after the Multiverse Saga ends. Speculation has risen that this major villain could be Galactus, a cosmic planet eater who plays a major role in Fantastic Four stories, and that the character's debut in the MCU could be directly tied to the Celestials. This becomes far more convincing with one small change to Galactus' motives.

In Marvel Comics, Galactus eats whole worlds in order to retain his cosmic powers, but this storyline almost seems two-dimensional in the expanding world of the MCU. Eternals introduced the idea of the Celestials planting seeds for new Celestials deep inside host worlds, and while the Eternals stop the emergence of Tiamut on Earth, many other worlds house these seeds that Celestials will emerge from. One small change could mean that Galactus eats worlds containing Celestial seeds in order to absorb their power. This would make Eternals 2 the perfect project to introduce this monumental villain, and would provide some much-needed gravity to the initial story laid out in Eternals.

More: Eros As Eternals 2's Villain Would Avoid A Major Powers Problem