Eternals: Why Richard Madden’s Ikaris Leading The Avengers Is So Funny

The official teaser trailer for the Eternals revealed the cosmic alien beings found the suggestion of Richard Madden’s Ikaris leading the Avengers to be funny, but why? The Eternals are finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing their alien technology along with them to aid humanity in their efforts to progress over several centuries. The film is set following the events of Avengers: Endgame and there might be a few reasons why Ikaris’ idea to lead the Avengers was taken lightly.

At the end of the Eternals trailer, the immortal beings are gathered around a table when Sprite asks who will lead the Avengers now that both Iron Man and Captain America are gone. Ikaris, very seriously, suggests he could lead them before he and the rest of the Eternals burst into laughter at the idea. The joke itself is interesting considering that Ikaris is actually a very strong and trusted hero in the comics. He aided the X-Men in their defeat of Apocalypse and was one of the only superheroes powerful enough to take him on; he’s also fought alongside Thor and the other Avengers at several different points in time throughout the comics. 

What’s more, Ikaris also takes on a leadership role with his own team, becoming Prime Eternal after he fights and beats Thena for the position. He’s also considered the second most powerful Eternal, so it stands to reason that he would be a competent, prolific, and successful leader of the Avengers, especially considering his longevity, skill set, and experience. However, Ikaris probably thinks the Avengers are lesser than the Eternals, who have lived for centuries and knew humanity when they were just finding their bearings. To that end, a cosmic being leading a team of humans might seem laughable to Ikaris, who possesses power and advanced technology beyond what the Avengers could ever dream up. 

By this point in his life, he and the other Eternals have only guided and watched over humanity without interference. Perhaps the idea of Ikaris leading the Avengers is a strange concept because he’s not thrilled with how they’ve operated in the past and he doesn’t want to be involved so closely with them. In the comics, Ikaris likes humanity and thinks the Eternals, with their capabilities, should protect them. It’s therefore possible that Ikaris doesn’t want to lead the Avengers because he believes the Eternals should now lead and protect in their place after Avengers: Endgame. Currently, it’s Ajak who is the head of the Eternals and not Ikaris, so he might have yet to prove himself a worthy leader, too, which would explain why the other Eternals didn’t take his suggestion all that seriously. 

There are a number of reasons why Ikaris and the Eternals found his idea about leading the Avengers to be funny, but the scene, out of context, doesn’t offer much information. Ikaris has worked alongside the Avengers in the comics, even if he never officially joined the team. Revered as he is as a leader, Eternals might showcase another side to him before establishing him as someone who is fully capable of leading a team, be it the Avengers of the Eternals themselves.

About The Author

Mae Abdulbaki
(1078 Articles Published)

Mae Abdulbaki is a movie reviews editor with Screen Rant. She previously wrote about a variety of movies and TV shows for Inverse, CinemaBlend, Pajiba, and The Young Folks, where she wrote reviews, features, news pieces. Her other work can be found at The Mary Sue, Film School Rejects, UPROXX, Heroic Hollywood, Looper, The List, and Bam Smack Pow, among others. Mae has also appeared on television segments, podcasts, and panels to discuss all things entertainment.

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