Salma Hayek’s role in Eternals (2021), part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), marked a significant moment in her career and for representation in Hollywood. As Ajak, the wise and nurturing leader of the immortal superheroes, Hayek stepped into a major superhero franchise, a space that historically lacked diversity, particularly for women of color. Her casting as Ajak, a character originally depicted as male in the comics, demonstrated Marvel’s effort to bring more inclusive storytelling to the forefront, offering a fresh take on the superhero genre while elevating Hayek's legacy as a barrier-breaking actress.

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