“I don’t know if we will ever see Thena again”: Kevin Feige Brought 2 Oscar Winners Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron into MCU But Has Ruined All the Hype Behind 2 of the Best Female MCU Characters Yet

With a fully star-studded cast and an impeccable filmmaker behind, on paper, Eternals seemed like a recipe for success. But as the story goes, the Chloe Zhao-led flick, starring Angelina Jolie, became the company’s first entry to earn rotten status at the Tomatometer, and the film even failed to make a big splash at the box office.

Eternals | Credit: Marvel Studios

As of now, the future of Eternals and Jolie in the MCU remains uncertain. Moreover, Jolie isn’t the lone major Hollywood superstar, whose Marvel future has no sense of direction, as action icon Charlie Theron is also in the same boat.

Angelina Jolie Has No Issue With Reprising Her Marvel Role

Angelina Jolie in Eternals | Credit Marvel Studios

Earlier this year, it was initially rumored that the MCU was shifting its focus to projects that would prove to be guaranteed hits at the box office, and a follow-up to Eternals was no longer in their scheme of things. While the Zhao-led film was far from perfect, the departure from other streamlined Marvel releases made it a breath of fresh air, with Angelina Jolie‘s Thena being its biggest highlight.

But like the sequel itself, her future in the MCU remains uncertain, even though the actress once expressed that she’d be happy to return to Thena’s shoes in the future.

I loved being part of the family, so I have no desire to separate from the family. But I would be happy to play her again and explore even more deeply the struggles that she has. I think it’s fun thinking of where they’ve been over the years. We’ve got thousands of years worth of material. We can take her anywhere. I think that’s fun and I like the idea that we can pop up somewhere, maybe in other Marvel movies.

Although we got to see Jolie excel as Thena onscreen, the same can’t be said for Theron, who was only involved in a cameo role in Doctor Strange 2.

Charlize Theron’s MCU Return Remains Unsettled

Charlize Theron as Clea in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Credit Marvel Studios

With no release date in sight for Doctor Strange 3, it can’t be said for certain if we’ll ever see Charlize Theron‘s Clea firing on all cylinders in the MCU. The Fury Road star herself isn’t sure if she’ll be brought back to reprise the role in future MCU projects.

I don’t. No, I haven’t gotten a call. I’ve not gotten a– Is that bad? Is that bad? Is that bad? No, I’m not lying… I haven’t gotten a call. Is that bad?

Fans, too, share the same concern, especially for Thena, following the box-office disappointment of Eternals.

Clea is definitely coming back for Doctor Strange 3. I don't know if we'll ever see Thena again. Maybe in a cameo or a small supporting role, but nothing big. I think Marvel is just done with the Eternals entirely. It'll probably become the new Incredible Hulk of the MCU.

— Berby ⊗ (@FilmBerby) September 3, 2024

Feige pissing me off because how you got Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie in the mcu and won’t do anything with them pic.twitter.com/M5mURynYxZ

— caden (@cleaswitch) September 3, 2024

They be getting the best actors for the shortest roles like bruh

— Patsu! ⭐ (@PatStaru) September 4, 2024

I think it’s because they’re both too expensive, so having a whole movie with them as the main focus, would be multi millions versus having them with other actors. Angelina Jolie could have handled the role all on her on without the other messes distracting and ruining the movie. pic.twitter.com/uXQnX9c1U2

— LeoGoneSavage (@LeoGoneSavage) September 4, 2024

They wasted such a potential combo

— Cinema 🎥 (globetrotter) (@maverickyj0) September 4, 2024

Considering Theron and Jolie are arguably two of the biggest action icons of our time, fans will hope the MCU won’t waste their potential by keeping them in the dark.

Eternals is available to stream on Disney Plus.