Courtney Balcombe

News Editor

clb6264@psu.edu

Marvel has released its 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, MCU, “Eternals” which picks up in the present after Thanos’ defeat in Avenger’s Endgame.

The Eternals are a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers, their powers can help the human race advance which they have helped do for thousands of years. They end up having to reunite to battle the evil Deviants, who are ugly, unstable creatures that resent their creators.

The main characters are very well known outside of the MCU. There is Thena played by Angelina Jolie, Ikaris played by Richard Madden, Sersi played by Gemma Chan, Ajak played by Salma Hayek, Gilgamesh played by Don Lee, Druig played by Barry Keoghan, Kingo played by Kumail Nanjiani, Sprite played by Lia McHugh, Makkari played by Lauren Ridloff, and Phastos played by Brian Tyree Henry.

Each Eternal has their own ability, Thena is the Goddess of War so she can form her weapons and be a bad a** fighter. Ikaris, who is known as the God who flew too close to the sun, he doesn’t have wings, but he does have lasers shooting out of his eyes. It seems like Marvel is just trying to rip off DC’s Superman, which they did.

“You said it, not me!” Chloé Zhao told French outlet cinema.jeuxactu.com. “Superman is the Übermensch, the ultimate man, the superman, a concept that exists in all cultures. Of all modern interpretations of Superman, this is Zack Snyder’s with Man Of Steel which inspired me the most because he approached this myth in an authentic and very real way. I remember thinking it was Superman by Terrence Malick when I saw the trailer. This film left a strong impression on me. But Ikaris is, of course, our own take on Superman.”

Sersi has molecular manipulation, so she can turn a rock into various metals or even turn those metals into the elements. Ajak is the leader of the Eternals, she can accelerate the speed of healing the team when they are injured. Gilgamesh can basically punch his way out of anything. Druig can manipulate people to do what he wants.

Kingo can create energy in his hands to then fire similar to a gun, he even does the finger gun when he uses his powers. Sprite can create illusions that can help tell stories or even get themselves out of danger. Makkari has super speed and reflexes. Phastos can create new technology just by thinking about it.

The film starts by bringing the Eternals to Earth in 5000 BC Mesopotamia and then shows the progress they’ve made throughout thousands of years by jumping to different years, such as 275 BC Babylon, 1945 Hiroshima, and the present day.

With the release of “Eternals,” Marvel has sparks various issues with audiences. The first issue is the sex scene between Ikaris and Sersi, which has been done before in Iron Man but it’s just implied that sex happened. This time it is shown in the scene but obviously not the body parts as it is PG-13 and not rated R.

“You can’t tell a mature love story if you’re not gonna do some kind of…” Zhao told Variety about the tender moment between Sersi and Ikaris. “It’s lovely to see two people show physical affection for each other — a kiss, make love.”

Another issue some audiences had was over Phastos being the first gay superhero, he and his husband have a 10-year-old son. This issue was more so with the Gulf Nations where is was set to release on November 11, this included that the film has been banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar according to Variety.

“[Marvel] stood their ground and said, ‘Nope, we are not going to compromise the integrity of our film,’” Haaz Sleiman, who plays Ben husband to Phastos, told Variety. “It made these Arab countries looks so ignorant and pathetic.”

Sleiman continued, “I have no respect for those governments. They have displayed to the world that they are not only a disgrace to humanity, but to God. Hopefully, this will inspire the Saudi people, the Kuwaiti people, and the people in Qatar to fight back.”

While Sleiman isn’t the only cast member upset over the Gulf Nation countries banning “Eternals,” Jolie also voiced her pain for the Marvel audience in those countries unable to see the film.

“I’m sad for [those audiences]. And I’m proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out,” Jolie said to the Australian website news.com.au. “I still don’t understand how we live in a world today where there’s still [people who] would not see the family Phastos has and the beauty of that relationship and that love.”

Jolie continued to add, “How anybody is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn’t approve or appreciate it is ignorant.”

END CREDIT SCENE SPOILERS

Along with Kit Harrigton joining the MCU as Dane Whitman, AKA the Black Knight. During his end credit scene it also introduces Mahershala Ali’s Blade to the MCU for the first time. Along with these two Marvel has brought in Harry Styles to portray Eros, also known as Starfox, who is Thanos’ brother.

After both end credit scenes play, the screen says “The Eternals will return….” When might they return is unknown, but Marvel has released dates for multiple movies throughout 2022 and into 2023.