Marvel Studios is beginning to fill up its roster of human demi-gods for the upcoming film “The Eternals.” After reports of Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjiani joining the roster, the latest report says that the studio is going international for its next actor, South Korean star Ma Dong-seok.
The Wrap is reporting that Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, is the latest actor to join director Chloe Zhao’s “The Eternals.” As you might expect from these sorts of Marvel Studios announcements, details of the actor’s role are being kept under wraps. However, it’s a safe assumption that he’s one of the characters that make up the titular team/group.
READ MORE: Kumail Nanjiani Reportedly Joining Angelina Jolie In Marvel Studios’ ‘The Eternals’
As is Marvel Studios’ M.O. recently, “The Eternals” isn’t filled with household names that you will automatically know. The film is said to follow the series, created by comic book icon Jack Kirby, that follows a group of near-immortal superhumans created by the god-like Celestials and are defenders of Earth. There are elements of traditional superhero stories in the series, but there is also a great deal of sci-fi and fantasy elements that separate “The Eternals” from other MCU films, even “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Ma Dong-seok is probably best known for his work in the excellent South Korean zombie/train thriller, “Train to Busan.” He’s also appeared in a number of films in South Korea, with many of his more recent roles being substantial. “The Eternals” will mark his first-ever English-language film project.
As mentioned, the film is directed by Zhao, who most notably directed the recent film “The Rider,” and is venturing into the world of big-budget blockbusters for the first time. But if we had a nickel for every time Marvel Studios hired an indie/relatively unknown director to helm a massive project, we’d have quite a few nickels.
Marvel Studios has yet to officially announce “The Eternals,” but it’s widely assumed that the film, which begins production later this year, will be one of the studio’s two films debuting in 2020. Here’s a clip of Dong-seok in “Train To Busan” and a few trailers for some additional films he’s appeared in.