Netflix’s Stranger Things is currently breaking records for the streaming service with a reported 40.7 million accounts watching the series’ third season since its July 4 launch. The wildly popular series has launched the careers of many of its stars, including actress Millie Bobby Brown. But Stranger Things may seem small compared to what Millie Bobby Brown has lined up next, and I’m not talking about Godzilla vs. Kong. It seems that Millie Bobby Brown may be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In his preview for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Variety’s Matt Donnelly said that among the new franchises Marvel is set to unveil at the presentation is The Eternals. He then mentions the previously reported cast members for Chloé Zhao’s film, including Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani and Richard Madden, before dropping in Millie Bobby Brown’s name. This is the first we’ve heard of this, so is the Stranger Things actress joining The Eternals?
When asked on Twitter about casually dropping the actress’ name and whether or not he was just reporting a rumor, Matt Donnelly indicated that Variety sourced reports about the casting, but Marvel Studios would not comment. Any confirmation would presumably be coming at San Diego Comic-Con. So Millie Bobby Brown joining The Eternals isn’t official yet, but then again, Marvel hasn’t formally announced any of the other cast members yet either.
When I was postulating what we want to see from Marvel Studios in its return to Hall H, one of the things I said was surprise casting announcements beyond what we already know, and Eleven joining the MCU would certainly fit that bill. Obviously, if true, Marvel would have preferred it not be spoiled early, but it should still be exciting for the Comic-Con crowd, for whom I imagine there is a lot of MCU/Stranger Things fandom crossover.
If Marvel announces and trots out actors for many of its Phase 4 films, we could ostensibly see Millie Bobby Brown and her Stranger Things co-star David Harbour, on stage representing The Eternals and Black Widow, respectively. That would make for a really cool moment that would really speak to the level of talent and fan favorite actors that Marvel is lining up to take its cinematic universe into its next saga.
Now, assuming that this is true and Millie Bobby Brown gets announced for The Eternals next weekend, whom might she be playing? That Hashtag Show previously reported that the film was looking for an actress between 10-16 to play Piper, seemingly a new take on the character Sprite. In theory this could be who the 15-year-old Millie Bobby Brown is playing.
The Eternal Sprite is a forever-young trickster with all manner of powers including potent illusions. Sprite is in some ways like The Eternals’ Loki, taunting and pranking humankind over the generations. In Marvel continuity, it is rumored that Sprite was the inspiration for Puck in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Sprite would certainly be a different kind of character for Millie Bobby Brown than Eleven, if she is indeed in the movie. We’ll presumably find out for sure if Eleven is bringing her powers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the answers to tons of other questions when Marvel Studios returns to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday July 20.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all your Comic-Con coverage and check out our premiere guide to see what’s headed to theaters this year.
