Marvel Comics is responsible for crafting some of the most recognizable and epic love stories in pop culture history. While some effort has been made to lift classic romances off the page and adapt them to screen, the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe certainly don't take affairs of the heart as seriously as the comic books do. Assuredly, it's fair to assert that action, drama and comedy are the main genre focus of the films. But thus far, there are only a handful of couples worth rooting for in the MCU, in addition to several box-checking courtships that feel more superficial and ornamental than fully realized. Fortunately, it seems Phase 4 is upending the status quo and showcasing love stories in a way the franchise hasn't before with projects like WandaVision, Loki, and Eternals.
It's come to light that Eternals focuses on a romantic connection between multiple characters. Reportedly, the film follows the long and complex history of super-powered immortals Ikaris and Sersi that spans eons. Interestingly, the pair have parted ways when the movie picks up, and to make matters even more complicated, Sersi is now dating Dane Whitman, the Black Knight, creating the MCU's first real love triangle. Of course, much of the groundwork for incorporating romance into the fold is owed to WandaVision and Loki. However, it's the rest of the Phase 4 lineup that promises to introduce new and engaging pairings into the MCU's films and series, finally giving fans a reason to care about who's dating who.
In an interview with BBC, Thor: Love & Thunder writer and director Taika Waititi said the film "is so insane and it's also very romantic." Loosely based on Jason Aaron's Mighty Thor comic run, the film treatment of the story is said to center on love, with a possible rekindling of Thor and Jane Foster's courtship being in the cards, as well as a Queen for Valkyrie, the King of New Asgard. And Valkyrie, Loki, and Sylvie won't be the only queer MCU characters moving forward, as Marvel Studios President and Marvel Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige has confirmed that Phastos is openly gay in Eternals. As Feige explained at Disney's 2019 D23 Expo, "He's married. He's got a family. And that is just part of who he is."
While Lady Sif is being floated as a potential love interest for Valkyrie in Love & Thunder, only time will tell if this rumor turns out to be true. All the same, she and Thor won't be the only characters searching for love in the upcoming Phase 4 films, considering Star-Lord and his crew will be appearing in Waititi's Thor sequel before returning for James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The Guardians' third solo adventure looks to follow Peter Quill as he continues searching the galaxy for Gamora after the events of Avengers: Endgame essentially soft-rebooted their relationship.
Obviously, if Marvel Studios wants its fans to invest in future romances within the MCU emotionally, then it has to start investing more in its female characters. Moreover, if love stories become a higher priority from hereon out, Disney and Marvel must also spotlight the characters whose stories were discarded or sidelined during the first three phase, including those of Jane Foster, Doctor Strange's Christine Palmer, and so forth. By making these characters vital to the MCU's overarching plot, their relationships can finally become relevant and compelling to watch. Fortunately, between the dynamic pairings in Eternals and Phase 4's movies focusing more on LGBTQ+ representation, these romances have the potential to better reflect the ones fans have and value in their own lives.
To see the MCU's first love triangle play out, Eternals is in theaters on Nov. 5.