In the Marvel Studios film Eternals (2021), the character of Ajak is played by Salma Hayek, not Richard Armitage. Hayek portrays the spiritual leader and "mother figure" of the immortal group. Richard Armitage, while a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), played the role of Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).
The Role of Salma Hayek as Ajak
Salma Hayek’s casting as Ajak was a significant departure from the original Marvel Comics source material. In the comics created by Jack Kirby in 1976, Ajak was depicted as a male character of Polar Eternal descent. For the 2021 cinematic adaptation directed by Chloé Zhao, the character was reimagined as a woman to provide a maternal, grounding force for the diverse team of heroes.
As of 2026, Hayek’s portrayal remains one of the most distinctive leadership roles in the MCU's Phase 4. Ajak serves as the Prime Eternal, the only member of the group with the ability to communicate directly with the Celestials, specifically Arishem the Judge. Her primary power is healing, both of herself and her fellow Eternals, which symbolically reinforces her role as the caretaker of the family.
Hayek has frequently discussed the importance of this role, noting that being cast as a superhero in her 50s was a milestone for representation in Hollywood. Her performance brought a sense of weary wisdom and quiet authority to the screen, contrasting with the more action-oriented leadership typically seen in superhero films. Ajak’s moral conflict—balancing her loyalty to Arishem’s grand design with her love for humanity—serves as the emotional catalyst for the film’s central plot.
Richard Armitage and His History in the MCU
The misconception that Richard Armitage plays Ajak likely stems from his established presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though his participation occurred a decade prior to the release of Eternals. Richard Armitage played Heinz Kruger, the top assassin for Hydra, in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Kruger’s role was pivotal to the origin of Captain America. He was the agent responsible for the assassination of Dr. Abraham Erskine immediately after Steve Rogers underwent the Super Soldier transformation. The high-speed chase through the streets of Brooklyn that followed was Armitage's standout sequence in the franchise. Because Kruger committed suicide by consuming a cyanide capsule to avoid capture, the character’s arc was confined to that single film.
Beyond the MCU, Richard Armitage is widely recognized for his role as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit trilogy and his voice work as Trevor Belmont in the Castlevania animated series. While Armitage has the gravitas associated with the Eternals' ancient nature, he has no connection to the 2021 film or the character of Ajak.
Why Casting Misconceptions Occur
In the era of rapid information consumption, casting confusion is relatively common. Several factors contribute to the false association between Richard Armitage and the role of Ajak:
- Algorithmic Errors: Search engine snippets and AI-generated summaries occasionally cross-reference actors who have appeared in the same massive franchise (the MCU) but in different roles or timeframes.
- Fan Casting and Rumors: Before the official cast of Eternals was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, many names were circulated by fans and "insider" blogs. While Armitage’s name is often a favorite for patriarchal or warrior-type roles, he was never officially attached to this project.
- Complex Ensemble Casts: Eternals features a large, international ensemble including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Kit Harington, and Angelina Jolie. With so many high-profile actors, general audiences sometimes conflate names of notable British actors (like Armitage and Madden) or Marvel veterans.
Verifying cast lists through official sources such as Marvel.com or the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is the most effective way to resolve these discrepancies.
Comparing Ajak (Salma Hayek) and Heinz Kruger (Richard Armitage)
The two characters exist at opposite ends of the MCU’s thematic spectrum. Ajak is an immortal, cosmic being created by the Celestials, while Heinz Kruger was a mortal human operative working for a terrestrial terrorist organization during World War II.
| Feature | Ajak (Eternals) | Heinz Kruger (Captain America) |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | Salma Hayek | Richard Armitage |
| Species | Eternal | Human |
| Affiliation | Celestials / The Eternals | Hydra / Nazi Germany |
| Primary Ability | Cosmic Healing & Communication | Espionage & Combat |
| First Appearance | Eternals (2021) | Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) |
| Character Status | Deceased (in MCU continuity) | Deceased (in MCU continuity) |
| Origin | World Forge | Earth (20th Century) |
The Significance of Ajak’s Character Arc
Ajak’s presence in Eternals is crucial for understanding the stakes of the "Emergence." For 7,000 years, she followed the instructions of Arishem, believing that the destruction of Earth was a necessary sacrifice for the birth of a new Celestial. However, the film reveals that her perspective shifted after witnessing the Avengers’ triumph over Thanos in Avengers: Endgame.
She chose Ikaris (played by Richard Madden) as her successor, but her newfound doubt in the Celestials' mission led to her betrayal. This internal conflict is what Salma Hayek portrays with such nuance. Ajak is not just a commander; she is a mother who realizes that her "children" (humanity) have earned the right to survive, even at the cost of her own life and her original purpose.
This arc is a cornerstone of the film’s exploration of faith and rebellion. By the time the film reaches 2026 in the real-world timeline, critics and fans have increasingly pointed to Ajak’s moral pivot as the defining moment that allowed the other Eternals to eventually form the Uni-Mind and save the planet.
Technical Production and Casting Strategy
The casting of Eternals was overseen by Sarah Halley Finn, the longtime casting director for the MCU. The goal was to create a team that felt truly "eternal" and representative of the entire human race they were sent to protect.
- Gender Swapping: Ajak and Makkari (played by Lauren Ridloff) were both male in the comics. These changes were made to balance the team dynamic and provide a broader range of perspectives.
- International Appeal: By casting Salma Hayek (Mexican-American), the film secured a major global star with a massive following, particularly in Latin American markets.
- Practical Effects vs. CGI: During production, Chloé Zhao insisted on filming in real locations, such as the volcanic landscapes of Fuerteventura. This grounded Hayek’s performance in a tangible environment, making the cosmic nature of Ajak feel more visceral and less reliant on green-screen artifice.
Addressing Common Misconceptions in Superhero Cinema
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand with dozens of films and Disney+ series, tracking every actor becomes difficult for casual viewers. Misconceptions like the "Richard Armitage as Ajak" claim often gain traction because they sound plausible to someone who recognizes the actor’s name but cannot quite place him in the timeline.
To maintain accuracy when discussing MCU lore, it is vital to distinguish between:
- Mainline MCU Continuity: The films and series produced by Marvel Studios.
- Legacy Marvel Media: Projects like the pre-2024 X-Men films or the Spider-Man films from Sony, which have since begun to merge via the Multiverse.
- Voice Acting Roles: Richard Armitage has done extensive voice work for Marvel-related audio dramas (such as portraying Wolverine in the The Long Night podcast), which may further confuse listeners regarding his live-action roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Richard Armitage ever audition for the role of Ajak?
There is no public record of Richard Armitage auditioning for Ajak. The role was specifically reimagined for a woman by director Chloé Zhao and Marvel Studios leadership early in the development process. Salma Hayek was one of the first actors approached for the project.
Is Ajak coming back in future Marvel movies?
As of 2026, there is no official confirmation of Ajak’s return in a live-action capacity. Because the character died during the events of Eternals, any return would likely occur through flashbacks, the World Forge, or Multiverse variants. However, Marvel Studios has not officially announced an Eternals 2.
Why was Ajak’s gender changed from the comics?
Director Chloé Zhao felt that making Ajak a woman allowed for a "mother-son" dynamic with characters like Ikaris, which added a layer of emotional weight to the betrayal and the internal team conflicts. It also helped achieve a more diverse and balanced ensemble.
What role did Richard Armitage play in Captain America?
Richard Armitage played Heinz Kruger, a Nazi saboteur and Hydra agent. He is famous for the scene where he blows up the laboratory where Steve Rogers was created and then leads a chase involving a submarine before biting a cyanide pill.
Who is the leader of the Eternals after Ajak?
Following Ajak’s death, Sersi (played by Gemma Chan) is chosen by Ajak (and later confirmed by the Celestial Arishem) to become the new Prime Eternal. Sersi inherits the "sphere" that allows communication with the Celestials.
Can Ajak heal herself?
Yes, Ajak possesses the ability to manipulate cosmic energy for the purpose of molecular regeneration. This allows her to heal from almost any physical wound, though she was unable to survive the coordinated attack by Deviants orchestrated by Ikaris, as they absorbed her life force.
Final Recommendation for Fans and Researchers
If you are looking for accurate information regarding the cast of Eternals, always refer to the end-credits sequence of the film or official production notes provided by Disney and Marvel Studios. While Richard Armitage is a talented actor with a history in the MCU as Heinz Kruger and the voice of Wolverine in audio formats, he is not part of the Eternals cast. To see Salma Hayek’s performance as Ajak, you can stream Eternals on Disney+ or purchase it through major digital retailers.
