In recent news, Barry Keoghan, known for his role as Druig in Marvel's "The Eternals," shared an interesting directive he received from director Chloe Zhao. Keoghan details in a GQ interview that Zhao instructed him to channel Hayden Christensen's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker in the "Star Wars" prequels. This direction was to help him embody his character's authoritative yet serene demeanor, particularly during scenes involving mind control, hearkening to the Jedi mind tricks of "Star Wars."

Despite "The Eternals" having been projected to make significant waves in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), its impact seems to have been underplayed in subsequent Marvel projects. Keoghan's approach to his superhero role involved humanizing the character, rather than leaning into the traditional hero tropes, a creative decision backed by director Zhao. "The Eternals" premiered to mixed reviews but was praised for its visual appeal and the performances of its diverse cast, though some critics felt the narrative became overextended when shifting to cosmic scales.

What impact did "The Eternals" have on the wider MCU?

"The Eternals" was intended to make a substantial impact on the future of the MCU, with director Chloe Zhao hinting at significant repercussions. However, since its release, the events of the film have been minimally addressed in other Marvel narratives, with the presence of a dead Celestial on Earth not being a focal point in the ongoing storyline.

As background, Marvel's "The Eternals" is part of the MCU's Phase 4 slate, which introduced a new ensemble of immortal beings sent to Earth to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants. The film aimed to expand the universe's lore by bringing in these lesser-known characters from the comics and was unique for its ambitious attempt to combine the personal drama of its ensemble with the large-scale implications of the Celestials' history and power. Despite this, the movie's connection to the MCU's overarching plot has not been as extensive as initially expected.