Earlier this year, the first trailer for Eternals, Marvel’s next superhero movie, dropped and swiftly amassed a cool 23 million views. The anticipation is real. Set to hit cinemas later this year, the cast is stellar, with British Vogue’s September 2021 cover star Gemma Chan joining Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Salma Hayek (to name a few).
Below, everything we know so far about the movie.
What is the plot of ‘Eternals’?
The Eternals are a group of superheroes who were first introduced in Marvel comics in the ’70s. “[They’re] a group of immortals who have been on Earth for 35,000 years. They’ve been there amongst the MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe],” said Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige at 2019’s San Diego Comic-Con. They’re an immortal race created by Celestials. And they’re one of three: the Deviants, humans, and Eternals. The Eternals want to protect humanity from the constantly warring Deviants.
Who’s behind the script of ‘Eternals’?
The film is written and directed by Nomadland director and Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, with Patrick Burleigh also contributing to the screenplay. The 26th film in the MCU, it was made with a budget of $200 million (£140 million).
Who is in the cast?
Richard Madden as Ikaris
Best known for his role in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Richard Madden will play Ikaris, one of the leaders of the Eternals. Robb Stark was briefly King in the North, but Madden’s new character is able to fly and levitate.
Salma Hayek as Ajak
Salma Hayek takes on the part of Ajak. Originally the character was male—but not in 2021. “I’m so excited to join the Marvel family as Ajak, the mother of all Eternals. It used to be the father of all Eternals, but girls … this is OUR time,” she posted on Instagram when the news was announced. Like Ikaris, she can fly and teleport, too.
Angelina Jolie as Thena
As warrior Thena, expect to see Angelina Jolie flying, and demonstrating super speed and strength.
Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok) as Gilgamesh
Best known for his roles in Train To Busan and Unstoppable, Don Lee plays Gilgamesh. While he’s first introduced in the comics as the Forgotten One, he’s given several names throughout.
Lauren Ridloff as Makkari
Like Hayek, Lauren Ridloff, The Walking Dead actor, plays a character who was also originally male. Taking on the part of Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU, she’s known for her speed.
Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo
Kumail Nanjiani, best known for his role in The Big Sick, plays Kingo. In short: he’s the greatest living swordsman, and he spent years studying the art of the Samurai in Japan.
Lia McHugh as Sprite
The 13-year old actor Lia McHugh takes on the role of Sprite. Again, it’s another role that has been gender-flipped for the film.
Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos
Brian Tyree Henry, the Widows actor, will play Phastos. Introduced later on in the comics, Phastos is an engineer and inventor, who, like the others, is both fast and strong.
Gemma Chan as Sersi
Having already starred in Captain Marvel, Gemma Chan is no stranger to the superhero franchise. Playing Sersi, also known as the Mistress of Illusions, she happily lives among humans in New York City.
Kit Harington as Dane Whitman
Starring alongside his former GoT colleague Richard Madden, Kit Harington plays a non-Eternal called Dane Whitman. He’s a physicist with an alter-ego: Black Knight.
Barry Keoghan as Druig
Barry Keoghan, best known for his role in Dunkirk, plays the loner known as Druig. He’s Ikaris’s cousin, and he can fly and manipulate atoms.
When will the film be released?
Eternals arrives in cinemas on 5 November 2021.
This article was originally published on British Vogue.
