WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Marvel Studios' Eternals, now in theaters.
Eternals actor Barry Keoghan recently admitted he was surprised to learn that his character Druig would be romantically involved with Lauren Ridloff's Makkari in the film.
"Well, I have to say that first of all, I want to say that I think the relationship between Makkari and Druig really comes to a surprise for actually several people here on stage, right?" Keoghan said during an Eternals press conference attended by CBR. He further explained that the relationship "wasn't really something that was so apparent" in the script, but that director Chloé Zhao encouraged them "to imply that there was a lot more to Druig and Makkari.
"And I feel like that what actually brought them together is that, as you said, they're both very improvement, and they both have a lot of power," Keoghan continued. "They're very powerful individuals. And they're told to hold back. To hold themselves back. And I think that that, for Druig and Makkari, you know, they're mischievous, and they also have fun. And they have this-on this fabulous planet, and their boss, you know, is, you know?"
For her part, Zhao admitted she decided to give the relationship between Druig and Makkari more screen time after witnessing the instant chemistry between Keoghan and Ridloff, noting, "Can I -- can I just also add, I don't know if Lauren, you remember, it was your first time meeting Barry, the two of you started [to] just riff."
"You know, you start to improvise. And I go, what-what-wait, what-- what's happening?" the director continued. "I--'I-- sparks everywhere. And 'cause initially, that was not the intention. I think really it was from you guys meeting that we saw that, and go, 'Maybe we should let play into it.'"
It was previously confirmed that the relationship between Eternals Ikaris (Richard Madden) and Sersi (Gemma Chan) would also play a big part in the film's plot, and that the pair will be take part in the first sex scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Speaking about the intimate moment ahead of the film's release, Madden explained, "I think it gives an insight into a very intimate moment in the lives of people who are actually very private and untouchable beings. To see them be intimate together is a special, delicate thing."
Ridloff is also making history in Eternals as the first-ever Deaf character to appear in the MCU, a role she has described as "so important for the Deaf community." "What's powerful about Makkari is being adapted from this hearing, blond-haired, cisgendered, straight white man to myself, I think shows what we call Deaf Gain," the actor recently told CBR. "In the Deaf community, we talk a lot about Deaf Gain when there are times that we're just lucky to be deaf."
Eternals is in theaters now.
Source: Eternals press conference