Eternals director Chloé Zhao reveals two superheroes were cut from the original script

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Two Eternals didn't make the cut

Ikaris in Eternals
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

There are 10 Eternals in the upcoming Marvel movie – but there were plans for even more.

Director Chloé Zhao confirmed to Fandom that "There [were] 12 characters when I first read [the script]; 12 Eternals. We had to let two go along the way."

On juggling the current Eternals – even with a bumper runtime – Zhao said, "Some characters don’t need the most screen time, it’s about what they do with the screen time. They have to be memorable."

She added: "All 10 of them had the same weight; not necessarily screen time, but the weight."

One who could join their ranks in future is Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman, AKA the Black Knight.

Harington told GamesRadar+ that "there would hopefully be a trajectory for him into the future. [Marvel] sort of explained what that might be, but really not much [else]."

Eternals, starring Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, and Angelina Jolie (among others) is set for release on November 5. For more on the MCU’s grand plans, check out our guide to Marvel Phase 4.

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.