Updated 25 May, 2021 07:01pm

Marvel channels Bollywood in its first teaser for Eternals

The first Eternals teaser dropped on Tuesday morning and the MCU seems to be going desi. Pakistani-American actor Kumail Nanjiani is seen in what appears to be an elaborate superhero costume-style kurta as part of a very Bollywood-esque dance number at a wedding.

The teaser was released on Monday to much excitement from fans who are counting down till November 5. Academy Award winning director Chloé Zhao promises a banger of a film with incredible action scenes complemented by solid South Asian representation and we're all for it.

"Among the movie's unexpected set pieces is a Bollywood dance sequence, with some 50 dancers,"Nanjiani had earlier revealed to The Hollywood Reporter.

"When I walked onto the set and saw a huge group of brown people who were going to be in a Marvel movie, I felt such gratitude towards Chloé for creating the situation. The scene was full of joy,” he added.

Nanjiani plays Eternals member Kingo in the film. Kingo has the power to project cosmic energy projectiles with his hands in addition to being a skilled swordsman. Over the centuries that he's lived, the character is shown to develop a predilection for wealth and fame. In the present day, he is a Bollywood star but he must leave that behind to help his team fight the new threat, the Deviants.

The teaser opens with a frame of Chan and Madden, who are revealed as the first Eternals to arrive on Earth. The Eternals have, however, existed from the dawn of civilisation, we are then told. Then the Eternals are put on screen, with huge names like that of Angelina Jolie, Kit Harrington, Salma Hayek, Harry Keoghan and Bryan Tree Henry, among others.

In all their existence, the Eternals have helped humanity achieve great things, and they have never interfered in their matters, the trailer says. However, it also then reveals that is about to change.

From the get go Chan and Madden (who play Sersi and Ikaris) are shown to be a couple. In fact, their wedding is also shown in the film, which is where Nanjiani performs his dance.

When Nanjiani made the announcement on his Twitter, his South Asian fans rejoiced.

Are you excited for the movie?

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