One of the best things about the MCU is that it is not shy about casting a diverse group of people in the different Marvel films. Of course, the Eternals film is one of the most diverse and inclusive cast in the entire MCU because it includes people of different colors, races, and physical capabilities. Of course, those who haven’t read the names of the cast can easily think that Wong is an Eternal due to his resemblance to one of the Eternals. So, is Wong an Eternal?
Wong is not an Eternal. He is a human sorcerer who is actually the Sorcerer Supreme in the entire MCU. The character you probably think is Wong in the Eternals is actually named Gilgamesh, who is played by South Korean actor Ma Dong Seok or Don Lee, who resembles Wong due to their similar Asian heritage.
The thing about the MCU is that it never forgets about being diverse in terms of its characters. This is quite new in the predominantly west-focused film industry, as Marvel is looking to break boundaries. As such, those who aren’t used to seeing Asian representation in western films would easily think that Wong and Gilgamesh are one and the same.
Is Wong An Eternal?
There is no doubt that the entire MCU is full of different characters of different backgrounds, colors, and races. Marvel made it a point to make sure that they highlight representation in the MCU films by making the right casting choices. From focusing on African heritage and culture in Black Panther to showcasing Asian traditions in Shang-Chi, Marvel cares a lot about diversity.
Of course, even though most of the earlier MCU films were focused on west-based characters and Caucasian actors, the casting choice steadily became more diverse from one film to another. We saw one of the most diverse casting choices in Doctor Strange when we were introduced to characters with Asian backgrounds, considering that a huge chunk of the movie took place in Nepal.
One of the first Asian characters that became a regular in the entire MCU is Wong, a sorcerer who used to be the librarian for the sorcerers the MCU but has since become a more important character that appeared in a lot of different movies such as Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Shang-Chi, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
So, to answer your question, Wong is not an Eternal. He is but a master of the mystic arts working alongside the other sorcerers on Earth. Wong is a regular human trained in the mystic arts, and that means that he does not have the infinite lifespan that the Eternals have.
Of course, Wong could always resort to using Dark Dimension Magic, which was something that the Ancient One used to prolong her life. But, all else the same, Wong is not an Eternal and is just a human being with the same kind of physical limitations as any other human.
But while Wong may not be an Eternal, Spider-Man: No Way Home revealed that he is, in fact, the Sorcerer Supreme, to the dismay of Steven Strange, who said that Wong only got the title due to a technicality. Of course, regardless of how Wong got the title of Sorcerer Supreme, the point is that he is one of the most powerful masters of the mystic arts in the MCU and is probably second only to Doctor Strange.
Is Wong In The Eternals Movie?
Speaking of the Eternals, the reason why some people think that Wong is an Eternal is due to the fact that the Eternals film features another character of Asian heritage. And while there are other Asians in the other MCU films, this character in the Eternals is quite similar to Wong in terms of his stocky build and facial features. So, is Wong in the Eternals movie?
No, Wong is not in the Eternals movie. The character with an uncanny resemblance to Wong is actually Gilgamesh, who has been on Earth as an Eternal for 7,000 years. That means that he has been around long before Wong was even born.
Despite the fact that Gilgamesh and Wong do have some similarities in terms of their looks, they cannot be any more different when it comes to their personalities and capabilities.
Wong is more of a stern and grumpy kind of sorcerer that is capable of using the mystic arts in a masterful way. On the other hand, Gilgamesh is a soft-hearted fellow who openly cares about his fellow Eternals. Gilgamesh is also the powerhouse of the Eternals because he is physically the strongest out of all of them, as his abilities focus on close-quarter combat and the use of his fists.
Who Is Playing Wong In The MCU?
Of course, because Wong and Gilgamesh are entirely different from one another, they are played by different actors. Wong is portrayed by Benedict Wong, who actually shares the same name as the character he plays. Benedict Wong is an English-born actor born to parents that migrated from Hong Kong to England.
Aside from his appearances in the MCU, Benedict Wong is also known for movies and shows such as Annihilation (2018), Black Mirror (2016), Marco Polo (2014 – 2016), The Martian (2015), and Prometheus (2012).
Who Is Playing Gilgamesh In The Eternals?
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh is portrayed by Don Lee, who is widely known by his South Korean name Ma Dong Seok. Don Lee was born and raised in South Korea, where he made his name as a successful action star because of his large build.
For those who think that Don Lee is familiar, you might have seen him in the worldwide zombie thriller movie Train To Busan, which is widely regarded as the performance that made him quite popular around the world.
Most of Don Lee’s movies are based in South Korea. That means that his portrayal as Gilgamesh in the Eternals movie is his first true Hollywood blockbuster film. And thanks to the success of Eternals, we might see Don Lee in more Hollywood or Marvel films in the future.
