Meet the Eternals, Marvel’s group of immortal heroes

Marvel Studios released the first trailer of the much-anticipated "Eternals" recently, in which audiences saw a new band of superheroes. The introduction of these new characters is a keystone in the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The Eternals, like the Guardians of the Galaxy, are linked to Marvel's cosmic range of comics, and seem to be part of an effort to expand the films in that direction by introducing more alien races, and otherworldly heroes and villains. Their timing is impeccable – since the Avengers are now critically understrength, Earth is very much in need of new heroes to defend it from the threats thrown by the MCU. Here is a look at the group of immortal heroes, who are the successors to the Avengers.

Ikaris

The Eternals are led by Ikaris, who has the powers of flying, cosmic beams from the eyes, and super strength. Richard Madden will portray Ikaris in the film.

"Eternals" will feature several noted actors.

Sersi

Gemma Chan from "Doctor Who" will portray the all-powerful and empathetic Sersi, who has disguised herself as a museum curator on Earth for a long time. She is the love interest of Ikaris.

Gemma Chan.

Kingo

Kingo will be played by Pakistani-American actor Kumail Nanjiani. He has super strength and can project cosmic energy projectiles from his hands. Kingo disguised himself as a Bollywood actor on Earth. Noted Indian actor Harish Patel will play Karan, an assistant to Kingo.

Phastos

Phastos is fast, strong, and can fly. He is also an engineer and inventor and made Kingo's sword. He will be played by Brian Tyree Henry.

Makkari

Lauren Ridloff will play a gender-flipped version of Makkari, who is a speedster. The character has a vibrant red suit and mask in the comics, and is also known as Mercury. Ridloff will play the first deaf hero in the MCU.

Sprite

Lia McHugh will play a gender-swapped version of Sprite who looks young, but is actually thousands of years old. The young-looking Eternal likes to play tricks, often at the expense of his own kind.

Lia McHugh.

Druig

Druig was a member of the KGB and Ikaris' cousin. Marvel Studios describes the character as an "aloof loner." Like other Eternals, he can fly, teleport, and manipulate atoms. Barry Keoghan will play Druig.

Gilgamesh

In the comics, Gilgamesh (Don Lee) is first introduced as the Forgotten One, an Eternal which was exiled from his kind because he spent too much time around humans. Because of that, the character became known by several legendary aliases, including Hercules and Beowulf.

Ajak

Salma Hayek will play a gender-swapped version of Ajak. Like Ikaris, the character can fly, and has the ability to teleport. Ajak also faught in the Trojan War.

Salma Hayek.

Thena

Thena, played by Angelina Jolie, was born in Olympia and is the daughter of Zuras. In the comics, she has a secret love affair with an enemy of the Eternals named Kro. Thena can also fly, has super strength, and super speed.

Angelina Jolie.

Black Knight

Apart from these powerful Eternals, we also will have Black Knight, also known as Dan Whitman who is the only human amongst these superheroes and has the ability to wield a mystical sword. Black Knight will be portrayed by "Game of Thrones" actor Kit Harrington.

Kit Harrington.

"Eternals" will be released in November 2021.