MCU Theory: Phase 4 Introduces The First Herald Of Galactus

Marvel’s Eternals movie could introduce the first herald of Galactus. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of Hollywood’s biggest success stories, and in large part that is because of the strategic vision of Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Under his leadership, Marvel has developed a reputation for playing the long game. There’s an episodic nature to the MCU, comparable to a traditional TV series, in that each film leads on to the next.

The first three phases of the MCU have collectively been referred to as the “Infinity Saga,” because they were unified by the driving theme of Thanos and the Infinity Stones. Phase 4 has been disrupted and delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result viewers are still trying to figure out the overarching themes of Phase 4 and beyond. This task is made even more difficult by some of the more surprising choices in the Phase 4 slate, most notably Chloé Zhao’s Eternals. This will introduce a new group of superheroes into the MCU, characters who have actually always felt tangential in the comic book universe.

Precious little official information has been revealed about Eternals to date, because the film has been pushed back to November 2021. But leaked merchandise descriptions have finally begun to help give a sense of the characters and their abilities – and they’ve hinted at the possibility Eternals will introduce the MCU’s version of Galactus.

Eternals Character Descriptions Link To The Power Cosmic

An Indian website recently launched a page dedicated to Eternals merchandise, and it contained brief descriptions of the characters and their powers. These stressed just how powerful the Eternals really are; Ikaris essentially sounds like Marvel’s version of Superman, Sersi can manipulate and transmute matter at a touch, and Druig has the psychic ability to control the minds of men. The powersets are notably more spectacular than almost anything seen in the MCU to date, but intriguingly, all are linked to something called “cosmic energy.” This is reminiscent of the cosmic energy that empowered the Fantastic Four in the comics, and perhaps even of the Power Cosmic that empowers Galactus and his Heralds. Indeed, it is surely no coincidence that all the various abilities attributed to the Eternals in the MCU have been demonstrated by the Heralds of  Galactus in the comics, most notably by the Silver Surfer.

Makkari Sounds More Like A Herald Than A Typical Eternal

Most of the recently-published descriptions follow the same format, establishing a given Eternal’s powers, their role in Eternal society and culture, and their attitudes towards and interactions with humanity. There is one exception: Makkari, played by Lauren Ridloff, who has been excitedly touted as the first deaf superhero in the MCU. That description stands out from all the others because it doesn’t suggest how Makkari relates to humanity at all.

“Makkari is the fastest woman in the universe. She uses her cosmically powered super-speed to scout planets for the Eternals. As the only deaf Eternal, the sonic boom that accompanies her cosmic running does not affect her.”

This is odd, to say the least, and it seems to imply Makkari is separate from the rest of the Eternals in her role as a scout who discovers planets. Where the rest of the Eternals live on Earth, it sounds as though Makkari has potentially been in space all this time.

Anyone familiar with the comics will find this role reminiscent of the Heralds of Galactus. In the comics, a Herald of Galactus is one who is empowered to travel across the cosmos seeking out planets for the Devourer of Worlds to consume. Some people become Heralds in order to save their own homeworlds, and consequently become some of Marvel’s most powerful superheroes; examples include the likes of the Silver Surfer and Firelord, and they attempt to guide Galactus to uninhabited planets in order to sate his appetite. Others, such as Terrax, are malicious and malignant beings who use the Power Cosmic for their own brutal ends when they have finally parted ways with Galactus. The similarities between Makkari’s Eternals character description and powers and the traditional role of the Heralds of Galactus raise the possibility this account is only partially accurate, and that Makkari is actually a Herald.

What Would Galactus Mean For Eternals?

In the comics, Galactus was originally a humanoid from the planet Taa who survived the destruction of his universe and was reborn in our own as an intrinsic part of the balance of the cosmos, bringing death – and thus allowing for rebirth. While the MCU could potentially take the same approach, this would feel rather repetitive; according to the Collector and Odin the Infinity Stones themselves were relics from the previous universe, while the Dark Elves in Thor: The Dark World were supposed to rule the prior universe in the time before its Big Crunch, and they were seeking to restore the darkness of the cosmos they ruled. It’s really not hard to imagine Marvel taking a different approach with Galactus.

It wouldn’t be at all difficult to establish Galactus as one of the Celestials, the godlike beings who are the source of the Eternals’ power. Indeed, a scene in Guardians of the Galaxy saw the Guardians look at a recording of a Celestial using the Power Stone to judge a world – and the shape of the staff used to contain the Power Stone was identical to Galactus’ helmet. The Celestials are said to be extinct in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – Ego believed himself their sole survivor – but Galactus could well be the real last of his kind, continuing his role in judging worlds. If this is the case, then Makkari could be an Eternal who has been charged to serve him, granted cosmic power to travel between worlds and seek out planets worthy of judgment.

This doesn’t necessarily mean Galactus himself will appear in Eternals. He is one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Comics Universe, with the potential to be the Thanos figure of the next few years; it would be a shame to rush him. Rather, Eternals – which already looks set to introduce the Power Cosmic – could formally establish the existence of the Devourer of Worlds ahead of his debut in a later movie. Far from tangential, then, Chloé Zhao’s Eternals could actually be crucial to the MCU Phase 4 and beyond.

About The Author

Thomas Bacon
(4894 Articles Published)

Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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