Eternals to face off with the Deviants according to official synopsis

Ever since Marvel announced that ETERNALS would arrive as a part of their Phase Four slate, fans of comic book cinema have been anxious to learn more about the studio's heroes from the Bronze Age of superheroics. Thankfully, in addition to showing off Kumail Nanjiani's thirst trap-style transformation last month, the studio has recently released a brand-new synopsis for the upcoming adventure.

The description that went live today ahead of a Disney investor's meeting teases a new threat to the MCU known as The Deviants, in addition to providing more details about the heroes we've yet to encounter:

Marvel Studios' The Eternals features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, The Deviants.

The outstanding ensemble cast include Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as the cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayak as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-coul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as the aloof longer Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harrington was cast as Dane Whitman.

An "unexpected tragedy," you say? I wonder what the synopsis is referring to, and if said "tragedy" will somehow be related to other Marvel films expected to drop this year. Then again, it could be entirely unrelated, as ETERNALS is poised to introduce Marvel to a whole host of new characters and events. Whatever this tragedy turns out to be, it must be huge, especially if Marvel is looking to make Eternals their next big superhero team after the Avengers. Come to think of it, what is to become of the Avengers when Phase 4 kicks off? Will they still be in the game? Retired? Disbanded? I've no idea, but you can bet your entire comics collection that I can't wait to find out.

Based on the 1976 comic book series created by Jack Kirby, The Eternals are often described as an offshoot of the transformative process that created sentient life on Earth. As the story goes, The Eternals were intended to be defenders of Earth by their creators, The Celestials. In time, an opposing force known as the Deviants were introduced as a way to secure the destruction of the goodly-natured beings. Marvel has hired Chloe Zhao (THE RIDER, SONGS MY BROTHER TAUGHT ME) to direct the tentpole superhero venture from a screenplay penned by RUIN scribes Matthew and Ryan Firpo.

Marvel's ETERNALS will arrive in theaters on November 20, 2020.