Marvel’s Eternals introduces a powerful team of cosmic beings to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the movie, a total of ten Eternals are revealed as having been sent to Earth by the Celestial Arishem the Judge to protect humanity from the Deviants.
Introducing the Ten Eternals of the MCU
The Eternals movie presented audiences with a significant expansion of the MCU’s cosmic scope, introducing a diverse and powerful team of immortal beings. Each Eternal possesses unique abilities and personalities, contributing to the complex dynamics and compelling narrative of the film. The following details each of the ten Eternals showcased in the movie:
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Ajak (Salma Hayek): The Prime Eternal and spiritual leader of the group, Ajak possesses the power to heal and communicate with the Celestial Arishem. Her connection to Arishem allows her to receive instructions and guide the Eternals.
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Sersi (Gemma Chan): Gifted with the ability to transmute matter, Sersi can transform objects and materials at will. She develops a deep connection with humanity, working as a museum curator in London.
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Ikaris (Richard Madden): The most powerful Eternal physically, Ikaris boasts superhuman strength, flight, and the ability to project cosmic energy from his eyes. He is fiercely loyal to Arishem’s mission.
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Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani): A master swordsman and hand-to-hand combatant, Kingo hides in plain sight as a Bollywood star, using his powers for entertainment and maintaining a low profile.
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Sprite (Lia McHugh): Eternally young in appearance, Sprite possesses the ability to create illusions. Her frustration with being perpetually trapped in a child’s body fuels her character arc.
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Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry): A brilliant inventor and technopath, Phastos uses his intellect to advance human technology throughout history. His faith in humanity is tested by the dark side of technological advancement.
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Makkari (Lauren Ridloff): The fastest Eternal, Makkari possesses superhuman speed and can move at incredible velocities. She spends her time exploring the universe and collecting historical artifacts.
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Druig (Barry Keoghan): Druig has the power to control the minds of others, an ability he believes could be used to prevent conflict. His differing viewpoints lead to conflict within the group.
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Gilgamesh (Don Lee): The strongest Eternal physically after Ikaris, Gilgamesh possesses incredible strength and endurance. He is a loyal protector of Thena, ensuring her safety during her bouts of Mahd Wy’ry.
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Thena (Angelina Jolie): A skilled warrior, Thena wields cosmic energy to create weapons and armor. She suffers from Mahd Wy’ry, a condition that causes her to experience memories from her past lives.
FAQs About the Eternals in the Movie
This section delves into frequently asked questions about the Eternals movie, providing deeper insights into the characters, their powers, and their roles in the broader MCU.
H3: What is Mahd Wy’ry and how does it affect Thena?
Mahd Wy’ry is a condition specific to Eternals that causes them to experience fragmented memories from their previous lives and missions on different planets. This affliction can lead to mental instability and unpredictable behavior. Thena’s Mahd Wy’ry is a significant plot point in the film, influencing her actions and requiring constant supervision from Gilgamesh. It is ultimately revealed that Mahd Wy’ry is caused by the Eternals subconsciously remembering their true mission – the Emergence of Tiamut.
H3: Why did the Eternals disobey Arishem’s orders?
The Eternals, initially programmed to follow Arishem’s commands without question, begin to develop a sense of empathy for humanity over their thousands of years on Earth. Their witnessing of human progress, resilience, and potential leads them to question the morality of allowing the Emergence to destroy the planet. This internal conflict culminates in their decision to rebel against Arishem and protect humanity.
H3: How are the Eternals connected to the Celestials?
The Eternals are synthetic beings created by the Celestials, specifically Arishem, to serve as protectors and cultivators of life on planets across the universe. Their primary purpose is to eliminate Deviants and ensure the Emergence of new Celestials within those planets. They are essentially living tools of the Celestials, designed to carry out their cosmic plans.
H3: What is the Emergence, and why is it so important?
The Emergence is the process by which a new Celestial is born from the core of a planet. This process requires the planet’s population to reach a certain level of complexity and energy. The Emergence of Tiamut would have destroyed Earth, making way for a new Celestial to be born. This is the ultimate purpose of the Eternals’ mission on Earth.
H3: How were the Eternals created?
The exact process of the Eternals’ creation is not fully explained in the movie, but it’s implied they are manufactured beings, imbued with cosmic energy and specific abilities by the Celestials. They are not born in the traditional sense but rather constructed and programmed for their designated roles.
H3: What are the Deviants, and how do they relate to the Eternals?
The Deviants are another creation of the Celestials, intended to be the counterparts to the Eternals. However, they evolved and became unstable, posing a threat to the life on the planets they were sent to. The Eternals were tasked with eliminating the Deviants to prepare planets for the Emergence.
H3: What happened to Ikaris at the end of the movie?
After realizing the consequences of his actions and failing to stop the other Eternals from preventing the Emergence, Ikaris, consumed by guilt and conflict, flew directly into the sun. This act symbolizes his self-destruction and ultimate remorse for betraying his family and his own moral compass.
H3: What happened to Sersi, Kingo, and Phastos at the end of the movie?
Sersi, Kingo, and Phastos are taken by Arishem, who intends to examine their memories to determine if humanity is worthy of existence. This cliffhanger ending leaves their fate uncertain and sets the stage for future MCU stories involving the Eternals. They are essentially being judged by the Celestial for their defiance.
H3: What is the significance of Dane Whitman’s appearance?
Dane Whitman, Sersi’s human boyfriend, makes a brief appearance in the post-credit scene, where he is shown about to pick up the Ebony Blade. This scene hints at his future as the Black Knight in the MCU, connecting him to the larger narrative and suggesting a potential team-up with the Eternals or other heroes.
H3: Will there be an Eternals sequel?
As of now, a direct Eternals sequel has not been officially announced. However, the cliffhanger ending and the numerous unresolved plot threads strongly suggest that the story of the Eternals will continue in future MCU projects. The movie leaves many possibilities for exploration, from dealing with Arishem’s judgment to the emergence of new cosmic threats.
H3: How do the Eternals fit into the wider MCU timeline?
The Eternals have been on Earth for thousands of years, secretly influencing human history. They are essentially silent observers and protectors who have remained hidden from the rest of the MCU until the events of Avengers: Endgame disrupted the natural order, triggering the Emergence and forcing them to reveal themselves.
H3: What are the most notable differences between the Eternals movie and the comic books?
While the movie draws inspiration from the Eternals comic book series by Jack Kirby, it also makes significant changes to the characters, their origins, and their relationships. Some notable differences include the expanded roles of certain characters, the specific nature of their powers, and the details of their relationship with the Celestials. The movie aims to adapt the core concepts while also creating a fresh and accessible story for a wider audience.