Between its stellar cast and soaring production values – not to mention the spirited Marvel hype train – it is easy to see why Eternals is one of the most anticipated films of late 2021.
The pandemic has made keeping track of film release schedules somewhat of a mercurial endeavour.
Despite Google suggesting Eternals will hit cinemas in the UAE this Thursday, fans will have to wait a little longer than that before they get their next Marvel fix.
Here is everything you need to know about Eternals ahead of its UAE release:
When is ‘Eternals’ coming out in the UAE?
On the heels of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which became the first pandemic-era film to cross the $400 million global box office mark, Eternals will be coming out across UAE cinemas on Thursday, November 11.
The film can already be spotted on local cinemas’ coming-soon lists, with tickets expected to go up for early sale sometime next week.
What is 'Eternals' about?
Eternals is named after and tells the story of a group of immortal beings, who have secretly lived on Earth for seven millennia, as they reunite to protect the planet against the Deviants, their evil counterparts.
The film takes place in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, when half of the world’s population, snapped into nonbeing by Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet, return to existence.
Who stars in 'Eternals'?
Perhaps the most alluring aspect of Eternals is the film’s cast.
The Chloe Zhao-directed film brings together a dream team of A-listers, from Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie to Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden and Kit Harington.
The film’s starry cast includes Crazy Rich Asians star Gemma Chan, Train to Busan actor Don Lee, comedian and The Big Sick actor Kumail Nanjiani, Atlanta star Brian Tyree Henry, Sound of Metal actor Lauren Ridloff, American Animals actor Barry Keoghan, The Lodge actor Lia McHugh, Four Weddings and a Funeral (miniseries) actor Harish Patel and even One Direction’s Harry Styles.
What are early reviews saying?
The Marvel Studios film had its world premiere in Los Angeles in October, and though it still has a few days to go before being released in the US, early reviews have started trickling in.
They’re not great.
Eternals is projected to become the first Marvel Studios film to receive a below 60 per cent score on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The film currently has a critics' score of 58, designating it as "Rotten" and effectively ending Marvel Studios' 25-film "Fresh" streak.
While the first tide of reviews from those who attended the world premiere were favourable, negative comments have begun piling up, with critics slamming the film’s “dull and predictable” storyline, saying it had “too many characters” and “too little plot”.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus reads: “An ambitious superhero epic that soars as often as it strains, Eternals takes the MCU in intriguing – and occasionally confounding – new directions.”
However, there are plenty of positive remarks as well, particularly where the film’s visuals are concerned, with one critic writing that Eternals is the “single most unique and visually stunning Marvel movie ever”.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year