Salma Hayek on playing Ajak in Eternals: I was shocked to get the role in my 50s

Salma Hayek is gearing up for Eternals which marks her debut in Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the superhero film, the actor plays the role of Ajak, who is the wise and spiritual leader of the Eternals. She can heal and becomes the bridge between the Eternals and the Celestials. Now, during a recent interaction, Salma revealed that she hadn't envisioned herself in playing the role of Ajak in Eternals.

The actor People, "I was shocked to get that role in my 50s. I felt a sense of gratitude and excitement, not only for this but for what it meant about the possibilities for the future."

While describing her character as the 'leader' of the Eternals in the Chloé Zhao directorial, Salma went on to say, "She is full of wisdom and very perceptive, a mother figure to all the Eternals."

Originally, the character is a male in the comics while the filmmakers changed it to female in the movie, making Ajak the 'motherly figure' of the Eternals. Sharing about the same, Hayek added, "Chloe decided to tackle the concept of leadership from the perspective of motherhood. I'm not a mother, I'm an alien and I can't have kids."

Recently, Salma celebrated her 55th birthday and the actor had spoken at length about her perception of ageing gracefully. 

Meanwhile, talking about Eternals, the film is a part of Phase Four of the MCU and marks the 26th film in the franchise. The film features Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington and Angelina Jolie in the lead roles.

It is set after the events of Avengers: Endgame when half of the population come back into being.

Eternals is slated to hit the big screens on November 5, 2021.