Eternals Director Reached Out To Marvel About Making MCU Movie

Chloé Zhao, director of the forthcoming MCU film Eternals, approached Marvel Studios about making a film, instead of the other way around. Zhao was previously known for directing indie hits like Songs My Brothers Taught Me and The Rider until she pivoted into the world of Marvel blockbusters. The long-awaited film was supposed to premiere in November 2020, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been pushed to November 2021.

Fans are particularly eager for Eternals not only because of its multiple premiere delays but also because it marks the beginning of a new franchise for Marvel. The film will introduce various new characters called the Eternals, an immortal alien race that has secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years. The cast includes megastars like Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Kit Harington, and Kumail Nanjiani. Zhao was first attached to the Eternals script in 2018, fresh off her festival success of The Rider, which won a top prize at Cannes and Best Feature at the Gotham Awards.

Zhao recently chatted with Moonlight director Barry Jenkins for Variety. Zhao explained that her love for comic books and the creation of intricate worlds precedes even her love for the MCU. Zhao explained:

“I grew up with manga. I have to just say, we didn’t have movies when I was growing up, not the same way that you guys had access to films, but I did have just cabinets and cabinets of Japanese manga. I just devoured them. That was my first love. I wanted to be a manga artist, but I was not very good at drawing. I have been a fan of the MCU for the last decade. So, I put the word out there I wanted to make a Marvel movie and the right project came to me.”

Zhao clarifies that she approached Eternals as both a director and a fan who wanted to make her mark on the MCU. She continued, “I just wanted to work with that team. Again, back to world-building. It is my favorite thing. That’s why I love Star Wars. There is a world that is so rich. I wanted to enter it and see what I can do.”

Beijing-born Zhao isn’t the only up-and-coming indie filmmaker that Marvel has catapulted to the high-stakes comic book film arena. Directors such as Taika Waititi and co-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck enjoyed indie success before Marvel tapped them for Thor: Ragnarok and Captain Marvel, respectively.

As Marvel continues to expand and diversify its roster of talent, Zhao is undoubtedly an emblem of progress. It’s already exciting that she was given Eternals, especially with complete creative control, but knowing that she sought out the collaboration herself is even more empowering. In a moment when Hollywood is finally trying to be more inclusive, it’s inspiring to see Zhao taking control over her career and seeking out the opportunities that she wants. If her previous films are any indication of her abundant talent, Eternals surely will not disappoint.