We've met the Avengers, the Defenders and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Now get ready for the Eternals, the superheroic team forming part of Marvel's cinematic Phase 4. Here's everything you need to know...
Who and what are the Eternals?
The near-immortal Eternals were created by comics legend Jack Kirby in 1976 as a race of ancient human beings with superhuman traits including the genetic potential to mentally manipulate limited quantities of cosmic energy. The saga begins millions of years ago when the cosmic beings known as the Celestials began genetically experimenting on humans, creating both the Eternals and a more monstrous off-shoot known as the Deviants at the same time. The two races have moved behind the scenes throughout human history.
Marvel's Kevin Feige confirmed development of an Eternals movie in 2018. "Jack Kirby did an immense, amazing epic with Eternals that spans tens of thousands of years," Feige said, "and that’s also something we haven’t really done (in the Marvel films). Post-Endgame we find that appealing." Feige said he was also liking the idea of immediately introducing an ensemble, "as opposed to building up as we did with the first Avengers."
In the comics, Thanos was an Eternal who carried the Deviant gene.
Who is starring in Eternals?
From left to right in the picture above (not including director Chloé Zhao, fourth from left):
Kumail Nanjiani is [Kingo](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Kingo_Sunen_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Kingo_Sunen_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Brian Tyree Henry is [Phastos](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Phastos_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Phastos_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Salma Hayek is [Ajak](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ajak_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ajak_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Lia McHugh is [Sprite](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sprite_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sprite_(Eternal)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Richard Madden is [Ikaris](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ikaris_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ikaris_(Eternal)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Angelina Jolie is [Thena](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Azura_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Azura_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Lauren Ridloff is [Makkari](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Makkari_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Makkari_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Don Lee is [Gilgamesh](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Gilgamesh_){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Gilgamesh_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Not in the image, but announced at Disney's D23 are:
Kit Harington is Dane Whitman/Black Knight.
Barry Keoghan is Druig){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Druig_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Gemma Chan is Sersei){href='https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sersi_(Earth-616)' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}.
Who is directing Eternals?
Chinese director, producer and screenwriter Chloé Zhao is shepherding Eternals to the screen. Her previous films are Songs My Brothers Taught Me and The Rider__. The latter won critical acclaim and several accolades, including the 2017 Independent Spirit Award for Best Picture. She recently finished shooting the drama Nomadland with Frances McDormand and David Strathairn.
Zhao getting the gig is yet another example of the MCU giving a blockbuster leg-up to a talented indie filmmaker (see also Taika Waititi, the Russo Brothers, Jon Watts, Ryan Coogler, James Gunn, Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, Cate Shortland...).
When is Eternals released?
Eternals' current release date is 6 November 2020.