A closer look at Lauren Ridloff’s Eternals character Makkari
By Renee Hansen
Many Walking Dead actors have had roles in the MCU. Most notably, Michael Rooker, Danai Gurira and Jon Bernthal. Next, we will see Lauren Ridloff, who plays Connie, take up her role in the Eternals.
Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao will direct the film about a group of immortal aliens who watch over humanity. She shared with Entertainment Weekly the moment she knew the cast had become a family. They were filming in the Canary Islands and the cast assembled in a triangle arrangement reminiscent of her favorite Eternals comic book cover. She stepped back and saw 10 heroes who looked ancient and brand new.
Ridloff will play Makkari, whose superpower is speed. She is kind-hearted and is the first deaf hero to join the MCU. Ridloff quickly points out that she won’t be the last as def actress Alaqua Cox will play Echo in the Disney+ series Hawkeye.
Lauren Ridloff as Makkair in Eternals
In the interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ridloff had this to say about Makkari:
"“What made it even more interesting to me was that they decided to make this switch, this gender swap. We couldn’t go more opposite to the original with this casting. Traditionally in the comic books, it’s this big muscular, buff, blond guy, and he’s hearing. And they considered me — a woman, Black, deaf — to play this role.”"
Entertainment Weekly Tweet this amazing shot of Ridloff in character in the thread below.
Ridloff is joined by an ensemble cast to round out the Eternals. Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Salma Hayek as Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
Eternals release date
After numerous delays due to the global pandemic, Eternals release date is now set for November 5, 2021. This is part of Phase Four of the MCU releases scheduled from 2021-2023.
Eternals teaser trailer
There has been no official full-length trailer released yet. Below is a beautifully done teaser trailer that will give you a good look at what to expect from this film, complete with a bit of humor.
UPDATE: The final trailer has been released and it is amazing! Check it out
Lauren Ridloff will return in season 11 of The Walking Dead, which premieres on AMC on August 22.