The Birth of a Sci-Fi Epic
In the quiet Buenos Aires suburb of Martínez, just blocks away from one of the most iconic homes in Argentine comic book history, Ronda Studios became the birthplace of one of the country's most ambitious audiovisual productions: El Eternauta. It was here that a new series based on the legendary science fiction comic by Oesterheld and Solano López came to life.
Composed of six episodes, El Eternauta hits Netflix on April 30. Though its release is near, the project took years to materialize. From the iconic costumes to custom-designed virtual sets, the series was filmed like never before.
A recently released trailer confirmed what fans were hoping: Ricardo Darín as Juan Salvo.
From Comic Book to Screen
Executive producer Matías Mosteirín, a key figure at production company K&S, explains:
“The challenge was adapting it into an episodic structure, since the story has a complexity that’s hard to fit into a single act.”
The final result, created and directed by Bruno Stagnaro, stands out not only for its script but for its breathtaking visual design. Every person on set is deeply invested in the project.
Buenos Aires Covered in Toxic Snow
One of the major challenges was recreating the world engulfed in the story’s iconic toxic snow. The art design team drew inspiration from documentaries on mountain life and from artists and photographers known for capturing atmospheric environments.
The outcome is a Buenos Aires like no other, blanketed in white and transformed into a landscape of claustrophobia and despair.
“We wanted the series to keep a direct connection to the real Buenos Aires, while adding the supernatural tone that defines the comic,” says María Battaglia, the art director.
Her colleague Julián Romera adds:
“Each scene was designed not just to stay true to the comic, but to breathe new life into the city.”
A Tribute to the Original
For the creative team, this series is far more than just an adaptation of the comic first published in 1957. In a region where science fiction is still a challenging genre, El Eternauta offers a rare chance to elevate an Argentine narrative to new heights.
Director Bruno Stagnaro states:
“While we were inspired by the comic, we took liberties with the original timeline to give it a more contemporary structure.”
The story centers on Juan Salvo, an ordinary man who survives a deadly snowfall in Buenos Aires and soon finds himself confronting an alien invasion.
Ricardo Darín: From Everyman to Leader
Portraying Juan Salvo posed a unique challenge. In the face of catastrophe, the character must transform into a resistance leader. Casting Ricardo Darín was key to portraying this collective hero who, as Stagnaro emphasizes, “doesn’t save himself alone.”
“The power of El Eternauta lies in the story of a group of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, fighting to survive and find a solution to an overwhelming threat.”
Since the original Juan is a younger, physically active man—and Darín is now a veteran actor—the team decided to develop a more mature character, someone who, through experience, rediscovers dormant skills to face danger.
“This angle gives the character new depth: a man reconnecting with a past he thought was behind him in order to save humanity.”
“With Ricardo, we wanted to show the vulnerability of a man who, while not a traditional hero, is forced to act under extreme conditions,” says the director. “His experience adds layers to the character, especially in scenes involving weapons, which now take on new meaning.”
Production, Identity, and Legacy
Production began in May 2023 and involved building more than 35 real sets and 25 virtual environments. It was a massive effort to bring to life a story that has always been rich with symbolism and social commentary.
Every detail—from the deadly snowfall to the intense action scenes—reflects the spirit of the original comic while offering a modern twist.
“We aimed to preserve the essence of the work while adapting it to today’s audience,” says Stagnaro.
For Mosteirín, El Eternauta is deeply tied to Argentine history:
“It’s a story that speaks to that enduring Argentine quality of resistance and survival.”
The central theme of facing adversity, already present in the comic, resonates strongly in today’s world.
Sci-Fi from the South
El Eternauta also represents a turning point for science fiction production in Argentina. Netflix Latin America’s VP of Content, Francisco Ramos, puts it this way:
“This series launches a new way of telling science fiction stories from an Argentine perspective—without copying foreign tropes. It reflects a unique regional viewpoint and has huge potential to boost the local audiovisual industry.”
It stands out not only for its artistic merit but also for putting Argentine technicians and artists on the global map, especially at a time when the national government is turning its back on the arts.
“In Latin America, we don’t have a strong sci-fi tradition like other countries. This series marks a turning point in how we tell these stories,” Ramos concludes.
A Milestone in Argentine TV History
This adaptation has been billed as one of Netflix's most ambitious Latin American productions to date. It’s expected to leave a lasting mark on regional cinema and television.
With a narrative that blends science fiction, survival, and human drama, the series captures the spirit of the original comic and brings it to today’s world.
El Eternauta is set to become a milestone in Argentine television and a reference point for future adaptations for years to come.
By Juan Manuel Domínguez
Critical thinking
How might the series' themes be relevant to contemporary society?
Discuss the significance of setting a science fiction narrative in a real city like Buenos Aires.
What challenges might arise when adapting a classic comic into a modern series?
Listening Comprehension
Although Netflix hasn’t officially (4)____________ a second season, actor Ricardo Darín (Juan Salvo) revealed there is both a (5)____________ and moral obligation to continue the story. This suggests that (6)____________ discussions have taken place and that new episodes may depend on audience response and (7)____________ metrics.
Season 1 ended on a dramatic (8)____________, with Juan discovering that humanity is under alien mental (9)____________. He also finds out his daughter is alive and being trained in a military facility.
Season 2 could explore the alien (10)____________, the resistance movement, and perhaps introduce (11)____________ or alternate dimensions. If renewed, production could start in 2026 and the (12)____________ might be set for 2027.