MCU repeats the Hulk mistake with Eternals
In the vast, sprawling landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there’s a recurring theme of missed opportunities—a story where the company seems to forget that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This dynamic is particularly evident when looking at characters who have immense potential but have been left on the sidelines, a situation that is becoming increasingly frustrating for dedicated fans.
The history of the MCU is littered with characters that felt like black sheep. Take The Incredible Hulk, for instance. For years, the character was largely sidelined, only recently beginning to see a full reincorporation into the main narrative arc, starting with Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Civil War. While the fandom cheered the return of Ross and the subsequent appearances of the Hulk’s associates, the journey for other characters often felt delayed.
This pattern of delayed acknowledgment extends to the newer additions, particularly the Eternals. Released five years ago, the movie debuted a cast of powerful beings, yet outside of the single reference to Celestial Island, none of the Eternals have been meaningfully integrated into the ongoing MCU narrative. It’s a significant oversight, suggesting that despite the potential for these characters, Marvel Studios has not pursued the narrative threads they introduced.
The opportunity here is huge. Instead of letting these figures collect dust, Marvel has a chance to inject these characters into the wider MCU experience, giving them the recognition they deserve among casual viewers. The biggest stage for this expansion lies in major events like Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, where a broader cast could be introduced.
However, the vacuum left by these omissions is starkest when considering characters with established appeal, such as Black Knight. The character, played by Kit Harington, has star power, yet the studio appears to have no concrete plans for a solo project. This decision raises questions about why highly capable characters remain outside the main cinematic spotlight, especially when characters like The Hulk and Black Widow have already successfully navigated long-awaited solo arcs.
Leaving Black Knight unaddressed feels like a major oversight. If Marvel is expanding its supernatural corner of the universe with figures like Ghost Rider, it would be a missed chance to bring the existing, compelling lore of the Eternals and the Black Knight into the main fabric. The appeal of these characters is undeniable, and failing to use them now risks letting potential interest fade away by the time the studio finally decides to act.
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