Eternals
The Eternalscould employ Hercules as a way to introduce this powerful newfangled group of superhumans into the MCU . Marvel has always loved to soak up authoritative fable and ancient mythology into their superhero stories ; Thor was one of the founding Avengers in both the comics and in the movies , and he ’s lifted straight from the ancient Norse religion . But Stan Lee and Jack Kirby also loved the Greek myths , and in the 1960s they introduced the character of Hercules .
Hercules became a recurring character inThor , and is peculiarly well - know for a guest appearance inTales to Astonish#79 , where the so - call off Prince of Power took on the Hulk . Over the years , Hercules has been a major fall back fictional character , sensation of his own popular comic volume run , and a member of several loop of the Avengers . And now , he could be making his agency into the Marvel Cinematic Universe . Rumors are swirling that Hercules will finally make his MCU debut inThe Eternals .
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The rumors started last November , whencasting breakdownincluded honorable mention of an nameless " Greek God " part . Since then , they ’ve only built up , although the latest rumor suggests Marvel may deviate from the comics and pivot towards a more historically - accurate translation of Hercules . There have been reports thatMarvel is looking to upchuck their first openly gay lead , and this has been tied to Hercules . It make sense ; in the Greek myths , Hercules was pansexual , and took his male aide Hylas as his fan . Curiously , though , in the comics Hercules has never been too closely - draw to the Eternals . So why would Marvel choose to introduce him in this pic ?
The Eternals Could Be The Inspiration For The MCU’s Greek Pantheon
The Eternals were create by Jack Kirby in 1976 . He draw loosely upon Grecian legends for his stirring , with one of the Eternal metropolis mention Olympia and some of their names lifted from mythology - include Zuras , loss leader of the Eternals , named after Zeus . Kirby had in the beginning intended the Eternals to be mostly outside of the broad Marvel Comics persistence , but over the year that changed , and they ’ve become a constant - albeit background - presence in the comics , most notable for teaming up with Thor in " The Celestial Saga . " Unfortunately , this caused something of a problem for Marvel , because there were obvious and explicit connections between the Eternals and the Greek myths , and yet Marvel already had their Greek Pantheon , a race referred to as the Olympians who were tantamount to the Thor ’s Asgardians . Marvel simply accepted the similarity , with one Eternal - Virako - identify them as a mystery the Eternals had " never had time nor desire to investigate . " of course , these being superhero cartoon strip , it was only a thing of time before the Eternals and the Olympians went nous - to - head , but the connections were never resolve .
The MCU , of track , has taken a different plan of attack to the comics when it comes to the Pantheons . In the comics , the Asgardians and the Olympians really are gods , in part power by the notion of others . In the MCU , however , the Asgardians are essentially powerful and long - lived alien who originate from another of the Nine Realms . They have made their mien know on Earth over the millennium , and were worshiped as gods by Norse society . It ’s fair to assume that other Pantheons could have similarly been alien race who interact with humanity in the past times . Indeed , referencingThe Eternals , Kevin Feige has suggested he quite like the idea . If Hercules does indeed appear inThe Eternals , it suggests that Marvel could be simplifying the human relationship between the Eternals and the legends of ancient Greece . Rather than follow the comic , with confusingly like Eternals and Olympians , the MCU could merge the two . Thus , in the MCU , the Eternals would be the basis for the Greek legends .
Sir Frederick Handley Page 2 of 2 : Hercules ' Role In The Eternals and the MCU
Hercules Could Be The Public Face Of The MCU’s Eternals
Further , this bring up the possibility that Hercules could be used to introduce the Eternals into the advanced Marvel Cinematic Universe . In the comics , the Eternals have always been a closelipped , reclusive race , reluctant to be puff into the affairs of military man . Indeed , there ’s a common sense in which that was part of Jack Kirby ’s kernel concept ; it simply has to be , because unlike the Asgardians , the Eternals still live on Earth . Humanity is sharing the globe with another evolutionary offshoot , one that has been heedful to ensure we do n’t know it . The Eternals who live among humankind , such asSersi , blot out themselves as much as potential and assume lives of exclusive right and wealth .
If the Eternals are to be a major histrion in the future of the MCU , then Marvel involve to append a character into the mix to become their public face , someone who is n’t quite so reserved . Hercules is the thoroughgoing candidate ; in the strip , the Prince of Power just want to be loved and adored . He struts around on a planetary stagecoach , proudly march his might , sometimes seek out competitiveness just so he can make the world realize how powerful he in truth is . If the MCU ’s rendering of Hercules is an Eternal , he ’ll be one who does n’t need to hide in the shadows but rather who desire to step out into the visible radiation . presumptively some sort of crisis will take place that reserve him to do just that ; and Hercules would revel in it . Where the rest of the Eternals would retreat , he ’d embrace the fame that come from being seen by the world as a superhero .
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What Would This Mean For The Future Of The MCU?
This theory suggests thatThe Eternalsserves a double design within the MCU . Firstly , it adds another layer of profundity and complexness into the account of the Marvel Cinematic Universe , an evolutionary branch of humanity who share our own globe . Like Wakanda , the Eternals are citizens of a Hidden Kingdom , a windowpane into the voltage of the human race . Secondly , though , it also put in Hercules , a lineament who has the potential to dish as a loose Thor analogue going ahead . Marvel is cautiously establishing the next moving ridge of superheroes for the MCU - reference likeBlack PantherandCaptain Marvel- and Hercules would surely come among them .
The parallels between Thor and Hercules could conceivably suggest at just how importantThe Eternalscould be to the future of the MCU . Thor and the Asgardians have been an essential part of the first three phases of the MCU , which Marvel call " The Infinity Saga . “Loki ’s arrival on Earthwas the very reason the Avengers were found in the first place , and two of the Infinity Stones have been tied to Asgard . It ’s possible thatThe Eternalswill be just as significant to the next saga ; in the comics , the Celestials who make them were destined to devolve to Earth in order of magnitude to judge man . They ’ve been a constant , recurring presence - more so than the Eternals themselves . Just as Thor was cardinal to Marvel ’s Infinity Saga , perhaps Hercules will prove to be a key instrumentalist in everything that ’s set to come , a figure who helps Earth ’s Heron lot with the cosmic judgement of the Celestials .
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