Marvel's The Eternals Moving Forward, Hires Pair of Writers

Screen Rant

By Cooper Hood

Published May 15, 2018

Marvel Studios hires Black List writing duo Matthew and Ryan Firpo to pen the script for their movie adaptation of The Eternals.

Marvel Studios moves forward with The Eternals by hiring a pair of Black List writers. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is still reeling from the effects of Avengers: Infinity War's ending, but that isn't causing the studio behind it to slow down. Marvel is moving full-steam ahead on a number of projects, including a few that will conclude Phase 3. But as they look to expand their universe even more, they'll need more heroes and franchises to do so as some of the founding members make their exit.

There's been a number of properties discussed as possibilities for Marvel's Phase 4 and beyond, but one of the more recent to start generating plenty of buzz is an adaptation of Jack Kirby's creation, The Eternals. Kevin Feige already confirmed that The Eternals was something they were considering, and it looks like they're now doing much more than that.

THR reports that Black List writers Matthew and Ryan Firpo have been hired to write the script for The Eternals. The duo are rising names in Hollywood following their spec script Ruin. Their hiring is a clear indication that The Eternals is a major property for Marvel Studios, and could be an early inclusion in Phase 4 if the script is completed to Marvel's liking.

This is the latest Phase 4 movie to generate its writers from the Black List, after Marvel did the same in hiring Black Widow's writer. Even though this is Matthew and Ryan Firpo's first major movie, they've spent plenty of time writing and directing in recent years, albeit on shorts. Since most have yet to see what type of films they write, there's no clear sense of what style The Eternals will be written in. But, since it is likely to be a major piece of Marvel's cosmic corner, a tone and look in the vein of Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok could be in store.

As far as we know, the hiring of the Firpo brothers makes The Eternals one of a few movies to be this far along in production. James Gunn is obviously writing and directing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Spider-Man: Homecoming's sequel is bringing back Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers from the first film. There's Black Widow too, so it's possible that Eternals could be planned as Marvel's late 2020 release. That is if we operate under the assumption that the script will come along smoothly. We'll know if that was the case if and when Marvel starts meeting with directors later this year, but for now, The Eternals just took a big step forward.