A special screening of Marvel’s Eternals took place Tuesday at Gallaudet University to celebrate Lauren Ridloff, the first deaf actress to star in the MCU.
The screening included a welcome address from the Gallaudet University president and a Q&A between Ridloff and aspiring actress and Gallaudet University student Anjel Pinero. This is the only Eternals screening nationwide featuring a Q&A.
The screening was filled two theaters full BIPOC students.
Ridloff plays Makkari, one of the Eternals meant to protect the earth from evil, immortal forces.
According to the official description of the film and the character:
Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” welcomes an exciting new team of Super Heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The epic story, spanning thousands of years, features a group of immortal heroes forced out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s oldest enemy, The Deviants. The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harington plays Dane Whitman.
Makkari is a fighter, and her cosmic energy makes her the fastest woman in the universe. She does everything at speed, from running through to reading. She runs faster than the speed of sound. Makkari’s speed and stealth allow her to be disruptive before it is possible to notice. In the present day, she has become disillusioned and a bit bored with life on Earth.
During the Q&A, Ridloff talked about manifesting this superhero role and how it is tied into her journey.
When on Broadway, she was asked in an interview about what’s next — and she thought the craziest and wildest thing was to play a superhero.
“Several years later, here I am sitting with you, talking about my experience [of] being a part of the MCU. That just shows the power of manifestation. You put it out there and you’re responsible for your words. You put it out there and things will come.”
Ridloff is known for playing Connie on The Walking Dead. She also starred in Sound of Metal with Riz Ahmed and The Magnificent Meyersons.
Check out photos from the screening and footage below: