Written by guest writer Pam Renteria:
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to expand and reinvent the way we think we know Marvel Super Heros. Eternals is the newest project to come from Marvel Studios and it brings with it an award-winning director, star-studded cast, and an overall storyline that many fans aren’t familiar with. When the AAAFF staff asked me to write this piece, I was THRILLED. We worked together this past summer to bring the special premiere of NIGHT ON SIXTH to the Long Center for the 2021 festival. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know the team and there’s nothing I love more than giving my (long-winded) elevator pitch as to why friends (we’re friends now, btw) should check out the latest Marvel movie. Here’s everything you need to know.
Chloe Zhao - From Marvel fan to being the first woman of color to direct a Marvel film
Back when Chloe Zhao and Nomadland were on the brink of winning the Oscar for best director and picture, many Marvel fans were celebrating the fact that Eternals would be the first MCU film to be directed by a woman of color. It’s reported that in 2018 Zhao was initially meeting with Marvel to work on Black Widow, but due to timing, she had to bow out of the project to go film Nomadland. Once a list of directors was being put together for Eternals, Zhao came to everyone’s mind due to her love for the MCU and distinct visual style. The rest, as they say, is history! Zhao is incredible and is no stranger to breaking barriers in the industry. Having a director that is a fan and understands this universe is the cherry on top! I cannot wait to see her vision of the Eternals story and how the film will handle several “firsts” for the studio.
P.S. Let it be known that Captain Marvel 2 is currently in production and is being directed by the one and only, Nia DaCosta!!
(Fun Fact: Did you know Zhao was originally going to put “Nomadland” on the shelf to work on “Eternals” but the COVID shutdown gave the director the chance to finish the movie AND win an academy award?? The universe works in mysterious ways, my friends.)
More inclusion and representation to the MCU
Frankly, I am SO excited for this new phase of Marvel films. With the introduction of Simu Liu as Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and now the cast of the Eternals; Marvel fans are able to see themselves represented in characters now more than ever since the release of Black Panther.
Eternals brings together one of the biggest, majorly star-studded, and most diverse cast for any Marvel project. This film will be the first to feature a gay superhero (Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos), a deaf superhero (Lauren Ridloff as Makkari), and a South Asian superhero (Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo.) This representation has never been seen before in the MCU and goes to show how much Marvel Studios is intentionally trying to break away from the mold it created in phases 1-3. (Personally, I am so excited to see Salma Hayek in the gender-flipped role of Ajak - the wise and spiritual leader of the Eternals.)
In a recent interview, Lauren Ridloff explained that when she got the offer for the role of Makkari, she accepted because the movie would allow her a platform to speak up for people who have been marginalized. I couldn’t agree more and think it’s about time we see these types of characters and backgrounds in more superhero movies.
Remember the releases of Black Panther and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and how we saw how happy our community was to see themselves on the big screen? We need more of that. We need more movies that will tell the stories of marginalized communities in an effortless way that won’t feel forced. We need characters that will represent the world we live in.
(For feels: Check out this clip in an interview Salma Hayek and Kumail Nanjiani did recently with Jimmy Kimmel explaining how excited, proud, and emotional their families were to hear they were in the film.)
Pam, what is this movie even about?
Even longtime Marvel fans may not be too familiar with the Eternals and their role in the Marvel Universe. The story is pulled from a limited-run comic series from the mid-1970s and was revived by Neil Gaiman in the mid-2000s - which helped bring these characters into the modern Marvel universe. Eternals is set to introduce fans to a new part of the Marvel lore and explore beings called the Celestials, Deviants, and Eternals. Extremely long story short, the Celestials are the creators of the Deviants and the Eternals. The Eternals are beings that look like humans yet possess abilities like flight, mind-reading, unbelievable strength, and endurance. These superpowers make them indestructible and immortal. The Deviants are grotesque creatures with genetic mutations that clash often with the Eternals, who have been assigned to be the protectors of Earth and its inhabitants for the past 7,000 years.
The movie is set to explore the aftermath of the events of Avengers: Endgame and force the Eternals to come out of the shadows to reunite against the Deviants. Viewers will also witness some of the most crucial moments in the history of humanity and how the immortal beings influenced them.
To me, the bigger question this movie will answer for moviegoers is “Why didn’t the Eternals do anything to protect Earth from Thanos? And why are they just now coming out of hiding?”
(If you’re new to all of this, Thanos was the villain of the first three Marvel phases and he basically got rid of half of the universe’s population in order to “bring balance.” Super problematic, but the Avengers saved the day! The population was restored and now this new phase will explore the aftermath of Thanos’ actions.)
To answer the biggest question you may have: this film is a primarily standalone story. You won’t need to pull all-nighters to watch all of the previous MCU movies to understand Eternals.
LONG STORY SHORT: Go watch Eternals and support stories with marginalized characters.
As you can tell, I’m a huge Marvel fan. I could talk about the characters, their stories, and the easter eggs in movies all day long! But I’m also a woman of color that doesn’t see much representation of myself in the Marvel Universe I love so dearly. On one side, I’m thrilled about the route the MCU is taking and the diverse stories we’re going to see moving forward. On the other, I know that in order for the film industry to continue making these stories, it’s up to us to support these films and show that these types of characters matter.
It’s up to us to set the stage and show that everyone deserves to see their story be told no matter race, gender, sexuality, or disability. Everyone deserves to see themselves as a superhero.
Let’s support these characters, cast, and crew the best way we know how. Watching the movie five times opening weekend! (Or once is fine too!)
Eternals hits theaters November 5.
