Plus, we get a glimpse of the strongest Eternal.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a singular success story in movie-making history. No franchise in film history has ever created a series of 20+ interconnected movies in which every single one is a box office success. But with every new movie, the MCU faces the possibility of the first failure in this high-wire act. But that doesn't mean the company is playing it safe. In fact, the details about Marvel's upcoming movie Eternals indicate it represents a swing for the fences of such immense proportions, it will be a ~marvel~ to see the company pull it off.
But then again, Marvel turned a franchise with a sweary raccoon and a monologos tree into one of the most popular trilogies in the whole pantheon. Doubters, to the left.
So, what are the Eternals? Well, they're no weirder than the Guardians gang. This ensemble represents some of the most powerful creatures in the Marvel universe. They are timeless, ageless, immortal, and have seen a lot in their 7,000+ years on Earth. The Celestials created them as the original "Defenders of Earth." Perhaps proving their shared strange DNA, the Celestials previously turned up in the GOTG films. (Ego, Starlord's father, is one. Also, the city of Knowhere exists within the severed head of a deceased Celestial.)
Here's what we know about Eternals so far:
Marvel’s Eternals Diverse Slate of Superheroes
Since the arrival of Black Panther and Captain Marvel to the MCU, the studio has gone all-in in diversifying what was once an endless sea of white heterosexual male heroes. The Phase 4 projects thus far have starred female superheroes like Wanda Maximoff, Natasha Romanoff, and Yelena Belova, Black superheroes like Sam Wilson and Monica Rambeau, or Shang-Chi, the first leading Asian superhero in MCU history.
The Eternals cast will bring even more to the table. Makkari is the first deaf superhero in the MCU canon and played by deaf actress Ridloff. Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) is the first South Asian superhero to enter the canon, and Ajax (Hayak) is the first superhero played by a Mexican-American actor.
But that’s not all. After finally making Loki’s bisexuality canon in his titular series this past summer, the MCU is also committing to showing diverse families. In the “Protect” teaser released just a month before the film arrives in theaters, Marvel also gave fans a glimpse at the first LGBTQ+ family in the studio’s history, as fans get a glimpse of Phastos’ husband and son.
Marvel's Eternals Plot
Eterntals is directed by Oscar winner Chloe Zhao, so you know it's going to be good. Currently though, the Eternals official synopsis doesn't give much away:
After an unexpected tragedy following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Eternals — an immortal alien race created by the Celestials who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7,000 years — reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.
So, what are the Deviants? Like the Eternals, they were created by the Celestials, but not purposefully. They were byproducts of the creation process, a mutant offshoot. The Celestials initially let them multiply as food for the Eternals, like sentient cattle.
But the Deviants proved to have superpowers of their own and formed not only society but also religion. (They worship the Dreaming Celestial, which they call "He Who Sleeps in Darkness.") They claim their god gave them dominion over Earth and battled the Eternals for it far in the past. Since losing that war, the Eternals have guarded the planet in peace.
The final trailer adds some context to this synopsis. as Ajak explains, the second snap Tony Starks, the one that returned the human race at the end of Endgame, created an burst of energy so powerful that it has triggered something called “The Emergence.” (One assumes that means the emergence of the Deviants?) Whatever it is, it is going to destroy humanity, unless the Eternals finally break their policy of non-interference in human affairs.
Marvel's Eternals Release Date
Initially, Eternals was planned as the second film to arrive as part of Phase 4 and the third title overall, following The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. Its original release date was Nov. 6, 2020. The shutdown pushed it back twice, first to March 2021 and then to November.
It will now be the third big-screen release of Phase 4 and the eighth title overall when accounting for Disney+ TV series releases. It will arrive in theaters on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga (Phases 1-3) is currently streaming on Disney+, minus the Spider-Man and Hulk movies. All of MCU’s Phase 4 is also available to stream.
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