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Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, appeared at D23 today to plug Marvel’s next slate of films.
Following “Black Panther 2”, Feige segued to next year’s “The Eternals,” inviting cast members from the much-anticipated film to the stage: Richard Madden, who portrays the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani, who plays cosmic-powered Kingo; Lauren Ridloff, who portrays the super-fast Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU; Brian Tyree Henry, who plays the intelligent inventor Phastos; Salma Hayek, who plays the wise and spiritual leader Ajak; Lia McHugh, who portrays the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Don Lee, who plays the powerful Gilgamesh; and Angelina Jolie, who stars as the fierce warrior Thena.
Feige revealed concept art images of each character, and announced three new cast members and their characters: Gemma Chan, who plays humankind-loving Sersi; Kit Harington, who was cast as non-Eternal Dane Whitman, and Barry Keoghan, who portrays aloof loner Druig, and was on hand for the event.
Directed by Chloé Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film “The Rider,” “The Eternals” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 6, 2020.
The cast of Marvel Studios’ The Eternals takes the stage at the #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/TR1gYEEq1w
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 24, 2019
Feige concluded with “Black Widow,” the Cate Shortland-directed first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which hits U.S. theaters on May 1, 2020. Feige shared a pre-recorded greeting featuring stars Scarlett Johansson, who reprises her role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow; David Harbour, who was cast as Alexei the Red Guardian; and Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena. The audience was also treated to an exclusive look at the upcoming film.
Says Mashable :
Reportedly taking place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, Black Widow began its first look with clips from Marvel installments gone by — including the Captain America: Civil War exchange between Natasha and Tony Stark in which Tony remarks, “It must be hard to shake the double agent thing, huh?”
Cut to Budapest, where Natasha is stealthily entering an apartment complex. Once inside, she faces off with “sister” and fellow assassin Yelena Belova (Pugh). The standoff between Natasha and Yelena is an epic one, with masterful tactics used on both sides. There’s a simultaneous gun grab, a tense kitchen knife slicing, and a mutual strangling with a single sheet. If the clip is any indication of what’s to come, Black Widow could bring some of the best combat the MCU has ever known.
Smash cut to the pair calling a truce over vodka shots. The two share warm banter, with Natasha remarking, “You just had to come to Budapest, didn’t you?”
In another location, the reunion continues with Natasha, Yelena, and others sitting around a table with Red Guardian (Harbour). Through a thick Russian accent, the so-called Captain America of the Soviet Union giddily remarks, “Family! Back together again!”
The first look then launched into a long montage of sparky action sequences, with a glimpse of Weisz as Melina, sporting a red, spandex suit. A brief look at Widow’s mysterious villain, wearing a mask and hood, was also offered — seemingly supporting rumors that Widow’s Big Bad is in fact the reviled Taskmaster.
