9 Villains Perfect For Marvel’s Eternals 2 If It Happens

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has numerous choices in determining a primary antagonist for Eternals 2, if the movie ever actually materializes. Eternals was a unique entrant in the MCU timeline, especially as it notably left open the possibility for a sequel. Eternals’ cliffhanger ending posed several possible villains from Marvel Comics who could carry a potential sequel, some of which have already been introduced into the franchise.

Eternals followed the eponymous team of superpowered beings, sent to Earth by the Celestial Arishem to protect humans from the Deviants. The Deviants are a monstrous alien race that has seemingly invaded Earth. In Marvel Comics, the Deviants are substantially more evolved, and numerous. Several of these would make perfect additions in a sequel for the MCU’s Eternals team to face, while numerous other possible foes have been proffered by the source material.

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9 Arishem Vowed To Return And Judge Earth

Arishem Previously Appeared In Eternals

In Eternals, the eponymous heroes initially believe Arishem is a force for good, before discovering their role was actually to prepare Earth for the Emergence of a new Celestial. After the Eternals scuppered these plans, Arishem abducted three Eternals and pledged to return and judge Earth. The team discuss rescuing in the mid-credits sequence, which suggests Arishem is therefore the most likely villain for Eternals 2. The tension between Eternals who rebel against Arishem and those still loyal would make a compelling story as the team visit other planets inhabited by Eternals, continuing the Celestial narrative in the MCU.

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8 Ikaris Could Be Resurrected By Arishem

The Eternals Are Immortal In Marvel Comics

As a loyalist to Arishem, Ikaris turned on his fellow Eternals and became the movie’s primary antagonist. While the character seemingly kills himself by flying into the sun, death is not an issue for the Eternals. The characters are essentially immortal, able to be revived/recreated from the World Forge, retaining whatever memories a Celestial wishes. This means that Ikaris could return (along with the other “deceased” team members) and resume his battle in Arishem’s name. In fact, a newly refurbished Ikaris spawned solely to vanquish his former teammates could make a compelling sequel.

7 Kang The Conqueror Has A Multiverse Connection To The Eternals

The Council Of Kangs Once Searched For The Celestials’ Ultimate Weapon

Though Kang’s future in the MCU is uncertain following Jonathan Majors’ departure from the franchise, Kang the Conqueror would be an ideal villain for Eternals 2. In Marvel Comics, the Council of Kangs brings Kang variants from across the universe in search for the Celestials’ “Ultimate Weapon.” Kang has been established in the MCU, with the council assembling at the end of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Celestials, meanwhile, have only properly been explored in Eternals. This would make Kang a perfect villain for Eternals 2, bringing together the MCU’s Celestials narrative through a multiverse adventure.

6 Ghaur Is A Classic Eternals Villain

Ghaur Is A Prominent Deviant

Ghaur, a formidable Deviant from Marvel Comics, could be the ideal antagonist for Eternals 2. His leadership of the Deviants, coupled with his mystical and strategic prowess, often poses a compelling challenge for the Eternals. With the Deviants’ evolution throughout Eternals, the creatures could assume more distinct characterization, such as Ghaur. Ghaur’s history with the Deviants and interactions with cosmic entities could provide a compelling narrative, which could then exploit the villain’s connection with other Marvel characters, most notably the West Coast Avengers. Ghaur would certainly make a visually striking and thrilling villain in a movie adaptation.

5 Kronos Is An Adversarial Eternal

Kronos Led One Faction Of An Eternals Civil War

Arishem revealed that there are Elementals on other planets still working to achieve his goals. With the Eternals’ decision to liberate other Eternals throughout space, a confrontation with those who remain loyal is likely in an Eternals sequel – which suggests that Kronos could be a possible villain in Elementals 2. In Marvel Comics, Kronos is instrumental in a civil war between the Eternals, triggered over whether they should continue conquering planets throughout the universe. An Eternals sequel could depict Kronos leading a counteroffensive to maintain Arishem’s mission, battling the remaining team as they journey throughout the galaxy.

4 Phaeder Has A Connection To The High Evolutionary

Phaeder Is An Inhuman Who Lived With The Deviants

Phaeder was a short-lived villain responsible for giving the High Evolutionary the research that unlocked his genetic experiments. With the High Evolutionary’s popularity following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 prompting speculation of his return to the franchise, an Eternals prequel series could explore Phaeder and the High Evolutionary’s backstory. In Marvel Comics, Phaeder is an Inhuman who has lived among the Deviants for years, having a son with the Deviant Morga. Phaeder only appeared briefly in Marvel Comics but played a pivotal role in establishing the High Evolutionary, which could be ideal for Eternals 2.

3 Maelstrom Is A Classic Marvel Villain

Maelstrom Is Phaeder’s Deviant Son

Phaeder and Morga’s son, Maelstrom, has a more prolific history as a Marvel Comics villain, often battling the Eternals, The Fantastic Four, the Inhumans, and the Avengers. Maelstrom is an Inhuman-Deviant hybrid who lives with the Eternal’s adversaries, the Deviants, until Phaeder is incapacitated in an experiment and Maelstrom seeks revenge on the Inhumans. The villain would fit Eternals‘ tone, proffering a sinister and monstrous antagonist who could be connected to other MCU installments. With the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie scheduled for 2025, Eternals 2 could incorporate the heroes into a team-up event to vanquish the villain.

2 Thanos Could Return For An Eternals Prequel

Thanos Is Technically An Eternal With A Deviant Gene

One of the main villains associated with the Eternals in Marvel Comics is the Mad Titan himself, Thanos. While Thanos is dead in the MCU, a prequel Eternals movie or series could explore Thanos’ connection to the Eternals and the Deviants. In the comics, Thanos is an Eternal with a Deviant gene that lends him his purple and imposing appearance. Following Eternals‘ disappointing reception, bringing back Thanos to the franchise could revitalize the Eternals movie and establish the characters more firmly in the MCU. It would also further elucidate why the Eternals did not intervene during the Infinity Saga.

1 Eros’s Role In The MCU Is Still Unclear

Starfox Is Thanos’s Morally Ambiguous Brother

Eros was introduced into the MCU during the Eternals mid-credits scene. Eros is an Eternal and Thanos’ brother, and offers his assistance in retrieving the Eternals’ missing comrades. In the comics, Eros, AKA Starfox, is considered an intermittent hero, but largely follows a hedonistic lifestyle driven by his own pleasure, making him an antagonistic force in some comic runs. It’s plausible then that Starfox could assume a more antagonistic position in some form in Eternals 2 – potentially just briefly, like Adam Warlock, or in a longer role as a result of the tumultuous nature of his ability to warp others’ emotions.

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Eros As Eternals 2’s Villain Would Avoid A Major Powers Problem

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This would allow for an exploration of Eros’s relationship with Thanos, and offer details regarding Thanos’s status as an Eternal – all while setting up an effective twist, as audiences are unlikely to expect a villainous twist from the brother who appears to oppose his prior murderous machinations. As Eternals‘ mid-credits scene implies Eros will return, making him the villain in Eternals 2 could be a satisfying complication as the team venture through space.