Eternals’ Harry Styles post-credits scene and Starfox, explained

For months, rumors have swirled that a certain celebrity would make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Chloe Zhao’s Eternals, and now, thanks to the movie’s post-credit scenes, we know for certain.

The MCU’s latest addition hearkens back to Thanos and potentially forward to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3It is. Exactly how they play in isn’t certain, but Marvel comics history provides some explanation. Let’s break down this surprise reveal.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for Eternals.]

Harry Styles in Eternals:

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images HS

Yes! In what’s become standard operating procedure for Marvel movies, Eternal has two bonus post-credit scenes for people who stick around in the theater: a final post-credits scene that teases an entirely new hero coming to the MCU, and a mid-credits scene that just adds a little more to the movie’s main story. Eternals Druig and Thena are in the middle of the credits, chatting in space from their ship. They worry about their fellow comrades who have been taken to Earth by an angry robot mastermind. Suddenly, Makkari and Thena sense something and go on the alert, just in time to see a character new to the MCU teleport in: Pip the Troll, who appears to be drunk, cheerful, and ready for his gig as hypeman to “the mighty Starfox.”

After a big enthusiastic verbal windup, Pip teleports Starfox — aka Eros, aka Thanos’ brother — onto the ship as well. The Eternals are poised to attack, but Starfox, played by Harry Styles, reassures them: “We’re here to help! Your friends are in a lot of trouble … and we know where to find them.” And he produces his own version of the little glowing cosmic-energy ball that Ajak and Sersi used to communicate with their Celestial creator Arishem, implying that he, too, is a mouthpiece for a Celestial.

Starfox, the Marvel Comics character?

Image: Roger Stern, John Byrne/Marvel Comics

Starfox is a family member. Yes, he’s Thanos’ brother. That Thanos is true. Starfox’s given name is Eros, and he is an opposite reflection of Thanos in almost every way, a theme in line with writer-artist Jim Starlin’s intention to create two characters who represented the semi-Freudian concepts of Thanatos and Eros, or death and desire.

In the comics, Eros is a carefree womanizer who lives life to hedonistic excess and never takes anything too seriously, in stark contrast to his brother, a conniving, manipulative schemer who’s literally in love with Death.

In the comics, Starfox’s powers feed into his personality — he’s an Eternal, the son of an Eternal from Earth and another from Saturn’s moon Titan. Starfox has all of the physiology and strength that comes with an Eternal, including speed, endurance, and superhuman strength. His abilities include the ability to fly and manipulate gravity, matter and even regenerate. But his most notable power is his psychic ability, which enables him to stimulate the pleasure centers of people’s brains, making them aroused, euphoric, or even sedated.

Starfox attempts to be heroic despite his manipulative superpower. But his abilities have often caused friction with teams he’s been part of, including the Avengers. The MCU can replicate his relationship with Thanos.

Pip the Troll, who is he? (And who is the voice?)

Image: Jim Starlin, George Pérez/Marvel Comics

Even more amazing than Harry Styles in Starfox is Patton Oswalt, who plays the role of Pip The Troll.

In Marvel Comics, Pip is an unsuspecting alien prince who — you know what, it’s not really that important. He’s short, he’s quippy, and smokes cigars. Pip became exiled and was forced to join the conflict between Adam Warlock (his evil double), Magus. He also made friends with Warlock. It’s one of many grand cosmic conflicts Pip lands in, including Thanos’ quest to find the Infinity Gems, during which Pip gains possession of the Space Gem.

Pip’s main superpower, as showcased in EternalsThis is an inherited effect from his time as a Space Gem. He’s able to teleport himself and others across vast distances, and can locate anyone, no matter where they are. He’s also got superhuman strength, noted as being able to lift 10 tons.

Starfox and Pip’s appearance in the MCU seems like it’s setting up a further Eternals story, as they promise to help out with locating the missing Eternals The protagonists. But it’s not out of the question that Pip or Starfox could show up in James Gunn’s upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The second Guardians movie ended on a tease of Adam Warlock and Magus, and Pip’s connection with them makes him very likely to appear wherever they do next. Gamora is also a major part of Adam Warlock’s saga, so replacIng the version of her who loved Star-Lord with a fresh Gamora from a different timeline may have been a way to reset her to better fit into this storyline

Either way, both Pip and Starfox are connected to Thanos, making them key parts of any potential followup to Thanos’ death (twice over!) in Avengers: Endgame.