Game of Thrones star Richard Madden joins the cast of MCU The Eternals as Ikaris, a Polar Eternal
The Eternals will be one of the movies of MCU Phase 4. Slated for release in November 2021, it will deal with the celestial beings created by legendary Marvel writer and artist Jack Kirby in 1976. A star-studded cast will arrive on the big screen including Richard Madden, Kit Harrington, Selma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, Kumail Nanjiani, Ajak Barry Keoghan, Brian Tyree Henry, and many more. Each will play an Eternal with his or her own set of cosmic powers.
Watch: The Eternals Panel | D23 |2019
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Richar Maddens’ Ikaris is a Polar Eternal
Before delving into the character, let us know about the Polar Eternals. When the leader of Eternals- Kronos- died as a result of his cosmic experiment, Titanos, the home planet of Eternals, was destroyed. Thus, four new cities came into existence; one each in Olympia (in Greece), Polaris (Siberia), in the planet Uranus, and lastly, in Titan (where Thanos comes from!). The Eternals that settle in Polaris are known as Polar Eternals, and Ikaris is one of them.
Besides Ikaris, we will also see other Polar Eternals (as per the comics) in the movie, like Ajak, Druig, and Kingo. However, the film will mostly have characters that are Olympian Eternals. So we might see the Polar Eternals collaborate with them in film.
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Ikaris is Part of Bibilical Events
Eternals are immortal beings, created by the Celestials, with cosmic powers. They arrived on earth thousands of years earlier and share the world with humans. With time, while groups of Eternals separated across the universe, the Olympian Eternals remained on earth. However, Ikaris with time has made his way into various stories, myths, and even Biblical events.
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He Guided Noha’s Ark
One of his most important deeds was when he flew across the sky, guiding Noah’s Ark to the Mountains of Ararat. He was seen as a “dove” flying across the sky.
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He Took Up His Son’s Name
As for his name, he took that of his son’s, to honour him. The son, Icarus, born to him and his human wife, wanted to fly like his father and tried to create mechanical wings, losing his life in a tragic accident.
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He is Strong
All the Eternals have trained themselves over hundreds of years to get better. Ikaris is one who can perhaps be said to be the one who has developed his powers and abilities better than any other Eternal. He is the second-strongest Olympian (Earth-based) Eternal after Gilgamesh. To put things into perspective, Gilgamesh is to the Eternals what Thor is to the Avengers.
Ikaris can make the best use of the combination of his cosmic energy attacks rather than focusing on only a few. This allows him to face almost any cosmic being toe-to-toe.
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Ikaris Made Sure Earth was Prepared for Celestials
In the first issue of #Eternals in 1976, Ikaris was the one to introduce the readers to the Eternals. Under the disguise of a human named “Ike Harris”, he guided two archaeologists to the City of Space Gods i.e. the Celestials and the Eternals. He was appointed to make sure that Earth was prepared for the Celestials’ arrival to check upon their creations.
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He Became Prime Eternal by Defeating Thena
Ikaris also has a history with Thena. He was the one who rightfully convicted Thena of getting romantically involved with one of the arch-enemies, the evil Deviants. Thena was in love with Warlord Kro with whom she also had children. On the other hand, Ikaris’ hatred for the Deviants was condemned by her, who was also their leader. However, after a challenge and Thena’s defeat, Ikaris replaced her as the “Prime Eternal”.
Richard Madden in the MCU
While most of us know him as Robb Stark from Game of Thrones, he has given other extraordinary performances in 1917, Rocketman (a biopic of Elton John), and Disney’s Cinderella. What’s cooler is that Richard Madden’s Ikaris will also see his GoT co-star Kit Harrington as the character Black Knight in MCU The Eternals. So, with such a star-cast, Marvel seems to be trying hard to bring us a “phase” that will seemingly be at par with the previous Avengers phases. Well, the wait seems “eternal”, that’s all.
