Marvel's Eternals: Angelina Jolie Explains Why She's Joining MCU Movie

Marvel Studios upcoming film Eternals follows a group of super powered cosmic beings over thousands and thousands of years. Little else is known about the movie's story, but there have been numerous (albeit unofficial) looks at the main cast through promo art and merchandise leaks.

And what a cast it is! The stars are a mix of well established actors like Salma Hayek and up-and-comers, such as Richard Madden. 

Perhaps the most recognizable name on the list of new MCU actors and actresses is Angelina Jolie, who will play Thena in the forthcoming cosmic flick. 

There's not much else to say about Thena at this point other that she spends part of the plot exiled with fellow Eternal, Gilgamesh. But Jolie has once again voiced her advocacy for the film and what it meant for her to step into the MCU. 

ETERNALLY SUPPORTIVE

Speaking to Vogue, Angelina Jolie touched briefly on her role in Eternals when asked about teaming up with co-stars Richard Madden and Salma Hayek while in a gold bodysuit:

"I love this cast, and that we all came together. I signed up to support Chloé [Zhao's] vision and Marvel’s commitment to expand the way we see 'superheroes.' Running around in a gold bodysuit was not how I imagined my forties. But it’s good crazy, I think."

EXPANDING "SUPERHEROES"?

Jolie's choice of words is especially intriguing when she says that Eternals director Chloé Zhao and Marvel Studios are expanding the way the audience looks at superheroes. 

This could be interpreted a number of ways, but it's quite possible she was remarking on diversity. The film's cast is very diverse, which is a great thing considering the original Eternals team from the comics, being a product of its time (the late 1970s) wasn't particularly inclusive of different skin colors and whatnot. 

Considering Jolie's notoriety as an activist, it should come as no surprise that this would be a motivating factor to join the film.

It's also possible that Jolie simply meant that the Eternals characters aren't your typical superheroes. After all, they're all insanely powerful and possess a wide range of dazzling abilities. And if they're sticking closely to the comics, the Eternals can't be killed either. 

Jolie of course also makes mention of her gold bodysuit costume, which has been seen multiple times in the aforementioned promo art.

Barring any more delays, Marvel Studios' Eternals will hit theaters on November 5th, 2021.