A blurred image of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) beneath a blacked-out image of Jennifer Garner as Elektra and falling dollar bills

Via the multiversal story of Deadpool & Wolverine, a hero who featured in one of Marvel’s biggest box office flops will return to the MCU in 2024. The third Deadpool film is the only Marvel movie releasing in 2024 that is attached to the MCU. This marks a big departure from the franchise, as Marvel Studios has released at least two MCU movies every single year since 2013.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s story changes this, marking not only a change for the Marvel Studios model but also a game-changing installment in the sprawling MCU chronological timeline. The film will tie heavily into the concept of the Marvel multiverse, with Wolverine’s involvement alone proof of this. Through the exploration of alternate timelines, different universes, and the endless Marvel heroes that come with them, Deadpool & Wolverine will introduce the titular character of Marvel’s fourth-biggest box office bomb: Elektra.

Jennifer Garner’s Elektra Is the 4th Lowest Grossing Marvel Movie Ever

The 2005 Elektra Movie Is One Of Marvel’s Biggest Box Office Flops

Ben Affleck Daredevil Elektra Jennifer Garner Cameo

Jennifer Garner first appeared as Elektra in 2003’s Daredevil. Bringing to life the character of Elektra Natchios, Garner had strong enough chemistry with Daredevil star Ben Affleck to warrant her own, standalone spin-off. Elektra was then released two years later in 2005, though the promise of a solo movie quickly turned to disappointment.

Elektra was critically panned, garnering an 11% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This negative reception extended to the film’s box office, with Elektra making history as one of the biggest box office disappointments in Marvel’s cinematic history. Even as of 2024, Elektra ranks as the fourth-lowest-grossing movie at the worldwide box office for Marvel, only surpassing some of the other lesser efforts by the studio.

Lowest-Grossing Marvel Movies
Budget
Domestic Box Office
Worldwide Box Office

Punisher: War Zone
$35 million
$8 million
$10 million

The New Mutants
$67 million
$23 million
$44 million

The Punisher
$33 million
$33 million
$54 million

Elektra
$65 million
$24 million
$56 million

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
$57 million
$51 million
$149 million

How Jennifer Garner’s Deadpool & Wolverine Return Can Redeem Elektra

Garner’s Elektra Receives A Second Chance In The MCU

The poster for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) next to Jennifer Garner as Elektra

Despite the overwhelmingly poor critical and commercial reception of Elektra, it was revealed that Jennifer Garner will return in Deadpool 3. This announcement came in 2023, with some major trades confirming that Garner would reprise her role. This reality gives Garner a chance at redemption after appearing in an infamous Marvel movie, with an MCU appearance in the Deadpool franchise serving as the perfect vehicle for this.

By appearing in what will likely be a $1 billion hit, Garner will have more than made up for headlining a box office flop like Elektra .

Deadpool & Wolverine is expected to be a major success for Marvel Studios, already fixing the glaring issue with Elektra. By appearing in what will likely be a $1 billion hit, Garner will have more than made up for headlining a box office flop like Elektra. Similarly, the Deadpool franchise is renowned for its meta, self-referential humor. Aside from appearing in a much better, much more successful movie like Deadpool & Wolverine, the nature of the franchise’s style can allow Garner to poke fun at her prior appearances as Elektra, redeeming her in the best way almost 20 years later.