Content warning: Major spoilers for Eternals are discussed in this article.
The gods and heroes depicted in Eternals are based on the characters created by Jack Kirby, who wrote their first Marvel Comics appearance in 1976. In turn, Kirby's characters themselves were loosely based on the mythologies of ancient civilizations and cultures, with the immortal characters meant to serve as the direct inspiration for those myths in the Marvel Universe.
Each of the main characters in the 2021 film has a direct mythological origin that can be individually identified in the ancient cultures, typically those of Greece and Rome. How do the film versions of the characters stack up against the original myths of the past?
Thena - Athena
The mythological character of Athena is the ancient Greek goddess of strategy and wisdom. Like many Greek gods, she is often depicted as jealous and vengeful, though perhaps not to the extent of certain others, like Hera or Ares. Daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods, Athena has a seat among the other Greek deities on Olympus.
In the film, Thena is portrayed by Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie, whose quiet strength is astounding among the other characters. Like Athena, she is a fierce warrior, with several of the best fights in Eternals. Unlike her mythological counterpart, Thena is quite loving and surprisingly vulnerable despite her great power. One thing she does have in common with the myth, however, is the title of "Goddess of War," which is alluded to by several characters throughout the film.
Ajak - Ajax
Ajax was a legendary hero whose exploits are described in Homer's epic poem The Iliad. He was a fierce fighter in the storied Trojan War, who was unique in his non-dependence on the gods to win battles. However, after he angers the goddess Athena, she tricks him into taking his own life.
Academy Award-nominated actress Salma Hayek plays the role of Ajak, the leader of the Eternals sent to Earth. The character is wrapped in mystery, causing many fans to have even more questions about the Eternals. She bears little resemblance to Homer's character, save for the impressive fighting skills. Ajak's role in the film is less of a warrior and more of a mother to the other Eternals.
Gilgamesh - Gilgamesh
The roots of the mythological hero Gilgamesh are traced back to the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is one of the oldest surviving works of literature in history. The epic tells of the titular hot-headed king who gradually tempers with time (and with the help of a good friend). He spends his days hunting for the answer to unlocking immortality, and though he does one day die, his accomplishments far outlast his life.
The role of Gilgamesh in Eternals is played by actor Don Lee. Unlike the original character, this version of Gilgamesh is created as an immortal being from the beginning. He is kind and mild-mannered, a stark contrast to the legends. However, a scene in the film depicts Sprite relating the tale of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, his close friend, to several humans, perhaps indicating where the story from the epic comes from.
Druig - The Druids
While the origin of Druig's character is less clear than the other Eternals, his name indicates that he may be based on the Celtic group of religious leaders known as the druids. The druids were similar to shamans, believing in the extreme power of the natural world and its bounties.
Barry Keoghan plays the character Druig in the 2021 film. Similar to the druids of legend, he retires to the woodlands to live out his life. That, however, seems to be where the resemblance ends, as his powers are anything but nature-based. Additionally, his main concern seems to be for human life rather than the balance of nature.
Makkari - Mercury
Mercury is a multitasking member of the Roman pantheon. The counterpart to the Greek god Hermes, Mercury serves as the god of many things, including communication, financial gain, travelers and, most notably, speed. He is also often depicted as a trickster, though generally less devious than trickster deities from other mythologies.
The Eternal Makkari is played by actress Lauren Ridloff. Makkari does possess increased speed and agility, as Mercury often does in myth. Even the trickster side of the character comes out in moments, specifically when she is dealing with the ancient Babylonians.
Phastos - Hephaestus
Hephaestus is the Greek god of fire and the forge, a craftsman among his peers. Abandoned by the gods as a baby, he eventually returned to Olympus as their chief blacksmith and the forger of Zeus's primary weapons: lightning bolts. He is often depicted as the husband of the goddess of love, Aphrodite.
Phastos, the Marvel version of Hephaestus, is played by Brian Tyree Henry in the film. Like his mythological origins, Phastos works diligently with his hands and has an eye for mechanics. He also is one of the bravest Eternals, taking on Ikaris single-handedly without a second thought.
Sprite - The Spriggans
The Spriggans may be one of the influences on the character of Sprite. A race of tree spirits in Celtic lore, they are often referred to as nature guardians and sometimes take the shape of female humanoids. They are considered to be somewhat hostile to humans, who revere them all the same.
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Child actress Lia McHugh portrays Sprite in the film. Much like the Spriggans, she is not particularly warm to humankind, siding with Ikarus in the battle that decides Earth's fate. She also has very little to do with nature, instead acting as more of a trickster than a guardian.
Kingo - Kingu
Kingu, or Qingu, is a Babylonian god and the son of Tiamat, the mother goddess of the earth. He is killed by Marduk in his slaughter of the gods, but his blood becomes a major facet in the creation of human beings.
Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo is a far more lighthearted character in the 2021 film than in the myth. A Bollywood star, Kingo prefers not to fight when it isn't necessary. He even bows out of the final battle, refusing to hurt any of his family members for having contrary beliefs.
Ikaris - Icarus
In Greek mythology, Icarus is the son of the inventor Daedalus. When he and his father attempt to escape the island of Crete using wings made of feathers and wax, Icarus flies too close to the sun, melting his wings and causing him to fall into the ocean, where he drowns.
Scottish actor Richard Madden takes on the role of Ikaris in Eternals. Ikaris is the most powerful of the Eternals and the most fearsome. He is the only Eternal shown to have the capability of flight, a sly allusion to the original myth. Just like the original Icarus, this version also flies far too close to the sun.
Sersi - Circe
Circe is a witch whom Odysseus, hero of the Trojan war and king of Ithaca, meets in his long voyage home, as told in Homer's epic The Odyssey. In the story, Circe falls in love with Odysseus and wishes him to stay on the island of Aiaíā with her. She is depicted as powerful and at times vengeful, using her magical powers to turn those who wrong her into animals.
In the film, Sersi is portrayed by Gemma Chan. She is shown to have the ability of transmutation, something that the original character is known for. Sersi is far more altruistic than the ancient version of the character, displaying a genuine love for humans, even with all their flaws.