Actress, former teacher who plays Marvel's 1st deaf superhero see 'Eternals' role as chance to teach

New York (WABC) -- Fans of a series of Marvel comic books featuring The Eternals know that among them is a character who can move at the speed of sound named Makkari.

He was drawn as big white dude who is not hearing impaired. But in the new movie "Eternals," the same character is played by a woman of color who is deaf.

Her character Makkari is the first deaf superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

"This was my first big movie to be a part of," she said with the help of her interpreter, Ramon.

Not too long ago, Ridloff was a public school teacher at PS 347 in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. Playing Makkari is just another way to teach, she said, albeit in a much bigger classroom.

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