Everybody loves movies. Everyone has a different taste in movies. Some may say that Marvel Studios has a pretty big fan base. It’s important that studios like that bring in more representation and diversity within their films. It’s a fantasy world that people lose themselves into and people want to feel connected to in more ways than one. It’s always a beautiful sight to see when kids tell their parents that a superhero looks just like them. The same thing goes for everyone else as they can feel that they’re not alone. Marvel Studios did an excellent job including representation in their films such as in Black Panther, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ring, and now Eternals.
Marvel Studios’ Eternals has a diverse cast led by director Chloé Zhao, the first Asian woman to win Best Director for her film “Nomadland.”
The Eternal’s leader is Ajax played by Salma Hayek. The group is being led by Latina women, which is a VERY big thing to be excited and proud about to see on the big screen. Another exciting thing to see is how the role of leader goes to another woman.
Sersi played Gemma Chan, become the group’s next leader after Ajax passed the title to her. A British-Asian woman leading to find the rest of her Eternals to help save the world is another wonderful thing to witness. You got a Latina and an Asian woman leading their group to victory.
Not to mention, there is more Asian representation in the film. You got Gilgamesh played by Don Lee who’s Korean and Kingo played by Kumail Nanjiani, who’s from Pakistan.
Gilgamesh is a very strong superhero who can beat the Deviants up with just the power of his fists. Yet he plays an important role besides being the muscle in the movie, he’s a caretaker to his fellow Eternal Thena, played by Angelina Jolie.
Kingo is a famous Bollywood movie star and director but also a strong Eternal with the power of his hands. Kingo also a trustworthy partner named Karun, played Harish Patel, who stole the show whenever he was on screen. Kumail Nanjiani officially played the MCU’s first South-Asian superhero and that’s an outstanding accomplishment.
You got Phastos who is the MCU’s first openly gay superhero. Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry, opened the doors for openly LGBTQ representation in Marvel films. Phastos is an inventor for the Eternals, he’s the creative and innovative one who always seeks an opportunity to help humanity improve with technological advancement. Phastos set up a family life for himself, he got married to his husband and they raise a son together. His family isn’t a main plot point of the movie, but it showed how Phastos was able to connect with humanity again after a terrible tragedy. Another thing that should be recognized is that Disney did not edit out Phastos’ scenes with his husband and the kiss they share causing it to not be shown in some countries. It’s a good thing that Disney didn’t back down.
Finally, we end with the mischievous speedster, Makkari who is the MCU’s first deaf superhero. Makkari, played by Lauren Ridloff, broke barriers. Makkari’s presence was praised as Google saw a 250% spike in searches for sign languages. Lauren Ridloff is set for big things as she is officially the first Black, Latina, and deaf superhero on and on the big screen.
Representation matters. Anyone can be a superhero.