Marvel’s ‘The Eternals’ Eyes ‘Bodyguard’ And ‘Game Of Thrones’ Actor Richard Madden For A Lead Role
Richard Maddenis the next in line to join the cast of Marvel’sThe Eternals, the cosmic comic book film set to be directed byChloe Zhao(The Rider). Madden is currently in talks to joinThe Eternalscast, which currently includesAngelina JolieandKumail Nanjiani.The Wrapinitially broke the news that Richard Madden is in talks to star opposite Jolie and Nanjiani in Marvel’sThe Eternals, though they weren’t sure who Madden would be playing. But according toVariety, Madden is in talks to play the character Ikaris, a male Eternal born over 20,000 years ago in the Eternal city of Polaria whose life force has been augmented by cosmic energy. He has the ability to exert total mental control over his physical form and bodily processes, even when he is asleep or unconscious, which makes him virtually immortal.
Madden’s chiseled good looks and noble brow certainly lend to playing a god-like figure (who yes, is connected to the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus), but he’s more than just a pretty face. While he first made an impression inGame of Thrones, he recently proved his acting chops in the BBC thriller seriesBodyguard, where he won acclaim for his emotionally turmoiled portrayal of a, well, bodyguard. He’s starred in other big budget films before that made use of his classically handsome looks — literally playing Prince Charming in 2015’sCinderella— but with a high-concept, cosmic role like a god-like immortal being, he’ll have to bring a degree of humanity and nuance to the role. And it seems like Madden will soon be able to show that he can do just that.
Based on the characters created by the legendary Jack Kirby in 1976,The Eternalsfollows “super-powered and near-immortal beings known as Eternals and a more monstrous off-shoot known as the Deviants that were created by the cosmic beings called Celestials.” According to The Wrap, the film will focus on the female Eternal known as Sersi, an outgoing Eternal “not afraid to move amongst humankind” whoJolie is in talksto play.
Zhao, who helmed the acclaimed indie filmThe Rider, is set to directThe Eternals, with a script fromMatthewandRyan Firpo. No release date has yet been set forThe Eternalsyet, but afterSpider-Man: Far From Homehits theaters, we expect Marvel Studios to make an announcement about the future of its film lineup.
