South Korean actorMa Dong-seok(Train to Busan) is set to joinAngelina JolieandKumail Nanjianiin Marvel’sThe Eternals, Collider has confirmed.
Chloe Zhao(The Rider) is directing from a script byMatthew FirpoandRyan Firpo, and Marvel’sKevin Feigeis producingThe Eternals, which is based on the 1976 comic book series created byJack Kirby. The comic follows super-powered and near-immortal beings known as Eternals and a rival group known as the Deviants that were created by cosmic beings called Celestials.
Jolie is likely playing an Eternal named Sersi, while Nanjiani and Ma’s roles are being kept under wraps.
The Eternalsis expected to feature Marvel’s first gay superhero, which is exciting, as the MCU has only benefitted from increased diversity. According to Feige, the plan is not only to introduce the Eternals as a full ensembleGuardians of the Galaxy-style, but to also lean into what made Kirby’s run in the 1970s so complex.Feige told usduring theCaptain Marvelpress tour:
“Everything afterEndgame, and afterSpider-Man: Far From Home, will be different and be unique, as we try to make every film. But seeing returning characters is certainly something we’re gonna do and want to do. But also introducing characters that the majority of the world has never heard of, much likeGuardians, much likeAvengersbefore we madeAvengers. And there are lots of them.Eternalsare one group, but we like the idea of introducing an ensemble, doing an ensemble movie from the start, as opposed to building up as we did with the firstAvengers. More likeGuardians, not tonally, but in terms of introducing a new group of people. You were asking about ’60s, and ’70s before. Jack Kirby did an immense, amazing epic withEternalsthat spans tens of thousands of years, and that’s also something we haven’t really done, which is why that among many other things post-Endgame, we find appealing.”
The Eternalsis one of two Marvel movies that will go before cameras this year along withBlack Widow,which is now slated to starScarlett Johansson,Florence Pugh,David Harbourand Oscar winnerRachel Weisz.
Ma previously starred inJee-Woon Kim’s action-packed westernThe Good the Bad the Weird. He’s represented by Gersh, and Marvel had no comment regarding the news, which was first reported byTheWrap.
