In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where final farewells are often not so final, the fate of Richard Madden’s Ikaris, the de-facto leader of the titular group in Eternals has been the talk of the town. Despite his dramatic exit scene (into the sun, to be specific), rumors are swirling about his return in a potential Eternals sequel, proving that in the MCU, not even a fiery solar embrace is a definitive goodbye.
Eternals, the film that dared to ask, “What if superheroes were really, really old and still figuring things out?” received highly divisive reactions. Some were captivated by its ambitious storytelling, while others found it a bit too confusing for their liking.
Central to the Eternals story was a group of ancient, powerful beings who have lived in secret on Earth for thousands of years. Among them, the characters of Sersi, played by Gemma Chan, and Ikaris, played by Richard Madden, stood out for their complex relationship and differing views on their connection to humanity. This dynamic culminated in a climactic finale that saw Ikaris, overwhelmed by his actions, seemingly meet his end by flying into the sun.
However, industry insider DanielRPK has hinted that Madden’s Ikaris might make a comeback in an Eternals sequel, which is reportedly in the early stages of development. This speculation is further fueled by the nature of the Eternals themselves – synthetic clones created by the Celestials, suggesting the possibility of Ikaris’ return in some form. This isn’t all that surprising, considering death in the MCU is often just a minor inconvenience.
The simple fact that Eternals are synthetic clones and the existence of multiple clones hint at the potential for Arishem, the Celestial, to create a new version of Ikaris. This could lead to a new conflict in the sequel, especially if the new Ikaris is pitted against the remaining Eternals.
While not explicitly explored in the first film, the concept of resurrection is a cornerstone of the Eternals’ lore. The Machine, an artificial intelligence serving the team, is capable of resurrecting fallen Eternals. This plot point could play a significant role in the sequel, especially considering the death of Gilgamesh at the hands of the deviant Kro.
Moreover, the MCU’s foray into the multiverse opens up another avenue for Ikaris’ return. With alternate realities now a part of the narrative fabric, the introduction of an Ikaris variant now makes a lot of sense. This approach, while less likely, cannot be entirely ruled out.
Despite these rumors, there has been no official confirmation from Marvel Studios or Kevin Feige regarding Ikaris’ return or the development of an Eternals sequel. Madden himself, in an interview earlier this year, seemed to downplay the likelihood of his character’s resurrection, citing the seemingly final nature of his last scene in Eternals (not an entirely convincing argument anyway).
The potential return of Ikaris raises intriguing questions about the direction of the sequel and the broader narrative arc of the MCU. The first Eternals film introduced a host of new characters and concepts, expanding the universe’s lore. Fans will likely be curious to see how these elements will be further developed and integrated into the ongoing saga of the MCU.
