‘Eternals’: Salma Hayek’s Ajak Isn’t Gone for Good From Marvel
Eternals is one of the hottest films to hit theaters in a long time, ushering in a brand-new phase for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). For fans, the film is not only an opportunity to enjoy familiar action thrills but to meet some exciting new characters as well—ones who were formerly only featured in Marvel Comics.
While Eternals features an ensemble cast, a few characters have risen to the forefront, with the actors portraying them becoming fast fan-favorites. One of these instant favorites is Salma Hayek in the role of Ajak. For many, Hayek is one of the highlights of the film, and many fans are wondering when and if they will see Hayek again in the MCU.
What role does Salma Hayek play in ‘Eternals’?
Hayek has a prime role in Eternals, playing Ajak, the wise and empathetic leader of the group. As someone who has the ability to heal and who serves as the spiritual bridge between the Eternals and the Celestials, Ajak is the steady center of many of the film’s most emotionally heavy and intense scenes. Ajak is also a warrior, however, and has an especially close bond with the younger members of the team, to whom she almost serves as a motherly figure.
Hayek, who is a film and television veteran with decades of experience playing diverse characters, has never before acted in a major Marvel project, but it is her work as Ajak that has quickly propelled her to the forefront of conversations about the film. As Hayek herself revealed in a recent interview, playing Ajak was an incredibly emotional experience.
What did Salma Hayek say about starring in ‘Eternals’?
In a recent interview, Hayek opened up about the experience of playing Ajak, and how intense it was to put on the superhero costume for the first time. As reported by Collider, Hayek said “When I put it on, I burst into tears. Not like in telenovelas, but the tears came out and I said, ‘What happened here?’…I saw my brown face…I saw my brown face in a superhero suit and in seeing my face, I saw your face. I saw my face as a little girl, who had to have a lot of courage to dream big.”
Hayek went on to describe how big the moment was for Latinos everywhere, noting “I saw the face of all the little girls…and I realized that a door had opened where I didn’t enter alone – but inside that suit were all the Latinos who waited so long for this moment.”
Salma Hayek admitted to having a multi-film deal with Marvel
Fortunately, fans haven’t seen the last of Hayek in the MCU. As reported by ScreenRant, Hayek confirmed in a recent interview that she signed a multi-film deal with Marvel prior to appearing onscreen as Ajak. Hayek noted “I did sign multiple movie deals! It was kind of fun being part of this…secret society that you have to protect so fearlessly.”
While Hayek is obviously excited about the possibility of appearing in other Marvel films, it is not known what movie or show she will appear in next. Still, considering the fact that Ajak dies onscreen in Eternals, it might end up being in some sort of prequel project or even a sequel film that includes lots of flashback scenes of Ajak. With Marvel remaining tight-lipped about what’s next for Hayek, fans will have to wait and see what is announced over the next few months.
