Eternals 2 Can Introduce Another Thanos Relative To The MCU

Although the future of the Eternals in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a mystery, speculation about what could happen on Eternals 2 has begun, and there’s a possibility for the Eternals’ sequel to introduce another Thanos’ relative aside from Eros/Starfox (Harry Styles). The MCU’s Phase 4 has already introduced a new superhero team in Chloe Zhao’s Eternals, which ended up becoming one of the most divisive Marvel movies ever, and even though it saw some major events, the Eternals’ place in the MCU continues to be a mystery, leaving their future unknown (for now).

Eternals introduced the oldest superhero team in the MCU, who are a group of synthetic beings created by the Celestial Arishem the Judge. The Eternals were sent to Earth centuries ago to protect it from the Deviants, their evil counterparts, and once they were defeated, the Eternals stayed on Earth and helped humanity evolve, though they weren’t allowed to interfere in their conflicts. This created conflict among the Eternals and the team eventually parted ways and reunited many decades later after the death of their leader, Ajak (Salma Hayek), the return of the Deviants, and the fast approach of an apocalyptic event called “The Emergence”, which was the birth of a new Celestial, Tiamut, from the center of Earth, meaning it would destroy the planet.

By the end of Eternals, the remaining team members managed to stop Tiamut, after which the team split into two: some of them stayed on Earth and the rest left on the Domo. However, those who stayed on Earth – Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo – were abducted by Arishem to judge their actions and see if humans were worth saving, while Thena, Makkari, and Druig were intercepted by Starfox on the Domo, who told them he knows where to find the rest. Starfox was introduced as the brother of Thanos and is expected to return in the still unconfirmed Eternals 2, but the sequel could see the introduction of another Thanos relative: Thane, his son.

What Introducing Thanos’ Son Would Mean For Eternals 2 & The MCU

As pointed out by CBR, Eternals 2 could introduce Thanos’ son, Thane. The MCU introduced Thanos’ adoptive daughters Gamora and Nebula, who continue to be part of this universe – however, there has been no mention of a son of the Mad Titan, though that doesn’t mean he can’t be introduced. Thane is the son of Thanos and an unknown Inhuman woman, and when the Mad Titan fought Black Bolt, the latter detonated a Terrigen Bomb, which subjected any person with Inhuman genes on Earth to Terrigenesis, thus unleashing Thane’s powers. Although the MCU hasn’t properly dealt with Inhumans and its only approach to these has been the brief appearance of Black Bolt in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thane’s origins could be retconned to better fit the MCU, or it could be through him that the Inhumans are formally introduced, thus making way for Black Bolt’s return, too.

Thane’s introduction would also continue Thanos’ legacy, as he could be seeking revenge for what the MCU’s heroes did to his father, and with his uncle now with the Eternals, he could see this as a betrayal and target Sersi and company, too. Thane’s arrival could also bring the Guardians of the Galaxy into the mix thanks to his connection to Nebula and Gamora, and they could be key in defeating the Mad Titan’s forgotten son. On the other hand, bringing Thane to the MCU would continue to make this universe dependent on Thanos even though he’s now long gone, risking losing the interest of viewers and undoing the Mad Titan’s ending and the hard work of all the MCU’s heroes, particularly Iron Man’s sacrifice. Thane could be an interesting enemy for Eternals 2, but it would be better for the MCU to move away from Thanos’ shadow.