In a recent podcast appearance, Oscar winner John Ridley finally opened up about the Marvel series he was developing at ABC back in 2015. With Marvel Television producing popular shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, and the Netflix Defenders series at the time, Ridley’s project, centered around the Eternals, seemed like a promising addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, as Ridley revealed, his version of the Eternals never made it past the development stage and was ultimately scrapped. Let’s dive into Ridley’s vision for the Eternals and why it didn’t come to fruition.
A Different Take on the Eternals
Ridley described his version of the Eternals as “f***ing weird.” He painted a vivid picture of the pilot episode, starting with a young man sitting down and lifting a drill to his ear. This unconventional opening hinted at the unique and unsettling tone that Ridley aimed to bring to the series. Another character was introduced, a kid who slept in a bathtub covered with foil. Through these glimpses, Ridley set the stage for a truly bizarre story.
Ridley acknowledged that his take on the Eternals received mixed reviews. He recognized the difficulty in developing a property like the Eternals, which features immortal alien beings emerging to protect Earth from their counterparts known as the Deviants. While Ridley believed his version had potential, he also admitted that it was a challenging property to work with.
Before Ridley’s project could see the light of day, Marvel Television went through significant changes. The television arm of Marvel Entertainment was incorporated into the Marvel Studios group, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Ridley’s Eternals series. Marvel Studios decided to produce a film adaptation of the Eternals, set for release in 2021. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film boasted an all-star cast, including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, and Kit Harington. This shift from television to cinema marked a significant change in the direction of the Eternals project.
The Best Outcome for Everyone
Reflecting on the fate of his unmade series, Ridley expressed his belief that it was for the best that his version didn’t come to fruition. He found solace in the idea that his vision might not have been entertaining enough for a wider audience. Ridley recognized that his personal taste, though suited for many of his other works, may not have aligned with the popularity that a property like the Eternals needed to succeed.
Though Ridley’s Eternals series never saw the light of day, its cancellation leaves fans wondering what could have been. With its unconventional and odd premise, the series could have offered a refreshing departure from the typical superhero storytelling. Ridley’s unique perspective and storytelling style could have injected new life into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Alas, fans will have to settle for the upcoming Eternals film, which may or may not capture the same strange essence that Ridley envisioned.
John Ridley’s unmade Eternals series stands as a testament to the complexities of bringing lesser-known Marvel properties to the screen. While his version may have offered a distinct and unconventional take on the Eternals, it ultimately fell victim to the shifting landscape of Marvel Television and the desire for more blockbuster-style films. As fans eagerly await the release of the Eternals film, they can only imagine the strange and intriguing story that Ridley had in store for them.