Phastos and the MCU’s Intentional Face of Progress
Eternals has stood as one of the MCU’s most interesting films, and with a collection of ten incredibly unique characters, we discuss Phastos and the MCU’s intentional face of progress.
Chloe Zhao’s MCU Epic has come to be defined by its ambition, as Eternals has clearly taken more risks than any Marvel Studios film to date.
Photo: Marvel
With a completely unique visual style, and a focus on the vastness of human history, Eternals is a film that feels very much like an MCU installment- equipped with all of the action and humor one would expect- while also working within itself to break what we understand as the Marvel mold.
The film introduced ten unique, near-immortal beings created to protect the ever developing human race from the hidden and ruthless deviant threat.
Photo: Marvel
With unique characters like Ikaris and the villainy of his blind devotion to the Celestials, the tragedy of Sprite’s circumstances within the human world, and the failure of Kingo; there was one that stood out as one of Marvel clearest representatives of their focus.
That character is Phastos, and Marvel’s intentional face of progress.
Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos. Photo: Marvel
Phastos is an immensely interesting character when dissected within the context of the Eternals. Equipped with the power of a technopath, Phastos has the ability to create anything he desires out of technology.
What is even more interesting than his very unique power, is how that power is used within the context of the Eternals and their great dilemma on Earth.
Source: Marvel Studios
the films overarching struggle is the Eternal’s desire to help the planet, yet their commitment to their creators hindering that very desire, and Phastos desire to help the human race advance technologically is the lynchpin of how the audience understands and relates to Phastos.
But what is even more interesting is just how Marvel chooses to flesh out the character of Phastos, and what he means to the Cinematic Universe that Marvel is creating.
Source: Marvel Studios
It has been a constant desire for Kevin Feige and Marvel to create a world filled with representation; from the incredible impact Black Panther and Shang-Chi have had on underrepresented communities, Phastos presents an interesting addition to this mission.
Brian Tyree Henry plays Phastos as an Eternal that is not only a black man, but is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community; with a husband, and a son, Phastos feels like Marvel’s very apparent and very deliberate attempt at showcasing just what progress means to them.
Photo: Marvel
This character, who literally represented the inherent desire to aid humanity’s progression and evolution, is a black, LGBTQ+, character who is the representative of an incredibly underrepresented community.
And that is the incredible beauty of Marvel and its desire to greater encourage inclusion; that Phastos is the MCU’s intentional face of progress, and their inherent desire to bring us into a world of acceptance, love, and diversity.
Source: Marvel Studios
