Kit Harington boards The Eternals, Gemma Chan also joins film

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has announced that actor Kit Harington has boarded the star-studded cast of The Eternals movie.

Harington is the second star from HBO’s epic fantasy show, Game of Thrones, who is set to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut after fellow-actor Richard Madden joined the films team earlier this year.

Madden is leading the cast which also boast the names of Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Don Lee, and Barry Keoghan.

“We have assembled a giant cast for you…. We pull back the cosmic curtains on MCU in ways that you cant imagine,” Feige said at the D23 Expo here on Saturday (August 23).

Created by Jack Kirby in 1976, the story of The Eternals is set millions of years ago when the cosmic beings known as the Celestials genetically experimented on humans to create super-powered individuals known as the Eternals along with the villainous Deviants.

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About Harington’s character, Feige said he is playing “non-Eternal” Dane Whitman, who goes by the name of Black Knight in the comics.

Though Harington was not present at the event, the rest of the cast joined Feige on the stage, standing in front of concept art sketches of their respective characters.

Madden has been confirmed to portray the films lead, the all-powerful Ikaris, while Jolie will essay the role of fierce warrior Thena. Hayek will be playing the wise and spiritual leader Ajak.

Ridloff makes her debut as the first deaf hero in the MCU. She will portray the super-fast Makkari. Nanjiani will star as cosmic-powered Kingo.

Henry has been cast as intelligent inventor Phastos; McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Keoghan as aloof loner Druig; and Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh.

Feige also confirmed that Captain Marvel star Gemma Chan is set to start her second innings in the MCU with The Eternals. The actor will portray the role of humankind-loving Sersi.

Critically-acclaimed filmmaker Chloe Zhao is attached to direct the movie from a script by Matthew and Ryan Firpo. The Eternals has a release date of November 6, 2020.