A lot of information came out during the Marvel panel and some new tidbits could lead to an underrated Jack Kirby created superhero team playing a big role in the cosmic side of the cinematic universe.
Thor: Raganrok concept art seemingly showed-off Jack Kirby styled aliens in a throne room, which people are saying might be The Eternals, a god-like offshoot of humanity that was created by the Celestials (introduced in Guardians) millions of years ago, described as perfect beings.
Keep in mind, this is only a rumor at this point, but there is more reason to believe it’s the Eternals, along with possible connections to Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2 and Thanos.
The Eternals were created over a million years ago by the enigmatic Celestials, who arrived on Earth to perform genetic experiments on the nascent human race. For purposes unknown, they hoped to test the adaptability of the human gene, accelerating the evolution of a handful of subjects and gave them the genetic potential to mentally manipulate limited quantities of cosmic energy. Thus was born the race of Eternals. In a similar way, the Celestials also performed experiments that led to the creation of the Deviants, and they also implanted latent genetic material in other specimens that would one day permit benevolent mutations in human beings.
The Eternals do have connections to both Hulk and Thor as they had crossovers in the comics, so including them wouldn’t be terribly shocking as we know Ragnarok is going to be a lot more cosmic than most are expecting it to be and include multiple aliens.
There are heroic and villainous members of the Eternals, so there could be multiple factions like in the comics. The heroic lineup includes Ikrais, Sersi, Makkari, Thanos’ cousin Thena, Thanos’ uncle Zuras and reformed Deviant villain Kro, along with Squadron Supreme‘s Hyperion.
Ikaris – A Polar Eternal, son of Virako and Tulayn, father of Icarus. It is not known what Ikaris’ birth-name was; he adopted the name “Ikaris” after his son, the Icarus of legend, was killed. Became Prime Eternal after challenging Thena
Sersi – Manipulates molecules and atoms. Daughter of Helios and Perse. Sersi is the only Eternal who is a fifth-level adept at matter manipulation. Became famous in Greek Mythology through her encounter with Odysseus. Prefers to live among humans and likes to throw parties. Became Avenger after Captain America requested her aid undercover as a teenager. Put herself into exile, but has since returned. Lover of Makkari.
Makkari – Superhumanly fast; Son of Verona and Mara. Speedy and impatient, many Eternals don’t take him seriously. In the 1940s, Makkari was the superheroes “Hurricane” and “Mercury.” Later he founded the Monster Hunters to fight Kro and joined the First Line as “Major Mercury”.
Thena – Daughter of Zuras and Cybele. Originally named Azura, but Zuras changed it to seal bond with Olympian gods. Often mistaken for Athena, Athens was built for her. Had twin children in affair with Kro and hid them. Became re-involved with her children, after Dr. Daniel Damian tried to kill them. Has sought sanctuary with Heroes for Hire and the High Evolutionary. She also has a fully human son named Joey Eliot.
Zuras – Can manipulate energy; Son of Kronos, brother of A’Lars, father of Thena, husband of Cybele. Was first Eternal to form Uni-Mind, and was chosen to lead after Kronos’ death. Was mistaken for Zeus, so made pact with Greek gods. Killed when the Celestials defeated Uni-Mind, but continued to exist. Finally died freeing Thena from a Brain-Mine. Spirit still seems to exist, still appears occasionally in Olympia. In the 2006 series, he has been resurrected.
Kro – The leader of the Deviant race, an evolutionary offshoot of the human race created by the Celestials. He is one of the first Earth Deviants created. Besides being a shapeshifter, he is immortal. Hidden from the Deviants is his long-standing (20,000 years) on-off relationship with Thena, leader of the Eternals and mother of their twin children, Donald and Deborah Ritter.
One thing that makes this a bit more viable is that Jeff Goldblum’s The Grandmaster isn’t visibly blue in the concept art shown at the panel. So, it’s possible that instead of making The Grandmaster an Elder they could turn him into an Enteral to potentially link him to Thanos.
Speaking of Thanos, he’s actually an Enteral himself and having him apart of the alien race might be how they’re able to connect him to a bunch of these films, outside of the infinity stones.
The character Thanos, who is the son of eternal race of the planet Titan’s leader Mentor and grandson of Kronos, has featured predominantly thus far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Another connection could be the group of aliens The Sovereign in Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2, Sovereign is also an alias of Ikaris.
Ikaris also hoped to keep the Eternal’s existence a secret while serving humanity as costumed superhuman champions. He created a new heroic identity as Sovereign, leading the Eternals as a group known as the New Breed, although they later abandoned such endeavors.
In Guardians 2, Elizabeth Debicki is playing Ayesha, a golden High Priestess of a genetically-perfect people called the Sovereign. It’s extremely possible The Sovereign could be the cinematic version of The Eternals, as they seemingly don’t exist in the comics.
The “genetically-perfect people” suggests tinkering of this race, another hint to what the Celestials did with The Eternals.
Here’s IGN’s brief interview with Debicki talking about her character.
Drax‘s comic book origins have connections to The Eternals and Thanos’ father. Although, due to his appearance it would suggest he’s a Deviant not an Eternal, their mutant counterpart.
After he and his family were killed by Thanos, Arthur Douglas was recreated as an Eternal known as Drax the Destroyer by Mentor (Thanos’ father) and Kronos with the sole purpose of destroying Thanos.
The Eternals (created to help defend Earth) and Guardians of The Galaxy could be the heroic cosmic teams that look to help the Avengers protect Earth and the rest of the universe in Infinity War.
The introduction of The Eternals could explain why Marvel has delayed the production and release date of The Inhumans film. Considering, that they might play a bigger role within the current slate of films due to their family connections to Thanos and might actually end-up being one of those untitled Marvel movies in 2020.