‘Eternals’ apologists get their hopes up after a star drops out of another high-profile sequel due to ‘scheduling conflicts’

Eternals isn’t exactly an MCU success story. Prior to release, Marvel Studios seemed to be under the impression they had an awards season contender on their hands, even whispering of an Oscars campaign. Reality came crashing down the second the Rotten Tomatoes score dropped, ending up at a terrible 47%. Audiences weren’t particularly enthusiastic either, with the film eventually clocking up a relatively disappointing $400 million worldwide.

All the above meant Marvel doesn’t seem eager to fast track Eternals 2, despite leaving the first movie on a tantalizing Harry Styles-shaped cameo. But Eternals has its fans, and some see the pieces moving in the background which may hint that Eternals 2 is coming to life.

Druig actor Barry Keoghan is white-hot right now, having scooped a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for The Banshees of Inisherin. He was set to star in Ridley Scott’s long-awaited Gladiator 2, but has now dropped out due to “scheduling conflicts”. Could these be conflicts with Eternals 2?

Optimistic fans certainly seem to think so:

Maybe don’t celebrate quite yet:

Sadly, we’re more than confident about chalking this story up to wishful thinking – and it’s far more likely that Keoghan’s scheduling conflict is for him reprising the Joker in The Batman – Part II.

We don’t think Eternals 2 is likely anytime soon, if ever. That said, Eternals likely won’t be the final appearance from these immortal characters, as we expect the more popular ones to eventually pop up in other heroes’ movies and Disney Plus shows. Marvel Studios would also be facing a huge wasted opportunity if it squandered Harry Styles in the MCU, so perhaps there’ll be some kind of cosmic MCU movie featuring these characters that’s not strictly Eternals 2.