Chloé Zhao‘s MCU directing choice almost led her to helm Black Widow before taking on Eternals, as she revealed during a recent podcast interview. The Oscar-winner shared details about how scheduling and her creative interests shaped this shift, offering unique insight into the development process of one of Marvel’s ambitious projects.
Zhao Considered for Black Widow Before Eternals
Speaking with Matt Belloni on The Town podcast to discuss her new film Hamnet, Zhao recounted how she initially approached Marvel due to interest in directing another title. When asked why she wanted to be part of a superhero film, Zhao explained that it was her consideration for another Marvel project that opened the door for her eventual Eternals involvement.
“I went in at first for Black Widow, and then there was a scheduling conflict,”
Zhao said. Zhao further explained her mindset once producer Nate Moore introduced her to the early treatment for Eternals:
“And then when Nate Moore, my producer for Eternals, showed me the treatment, I went, Oh, wow. I get to have all these immortals, like a Greek play, to discuss humanity. And then I get to create monsters and space gods, right?”
Zhao, Director
Ultimately, Cate Shortland directed Black Widow. Meanwhile, Zhao was drawn to Eternals by its emphasis on mythological storytelling and allegorical themes, areas she has long explored in her work. These creative elements influenced her direction and attachment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Story and Inspiration Behind Eternals
Zhao has described Eternals as an exploration of existential questions and the nature of humanity.
“Eternals, at its heart, is a story about a pantheon of gods having discussions about the nature of humanity and whether we are worth surviving,”
Zhao explained.
“It was my way of trying to process all the questions I was having in those ten years of making the first three films.”
Zhao, Director
The Eternals follows a race of immortal beings who have covertly protected Earth for millennia. With the return of their ancient adversaries, the Deviants, figures like Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Don Lee, Lauren Ridloff, Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Barry Keoghan, Lia McHugh, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, and Brian Tyree Henry all played pivotal roles in the ensemble cast. These characters grapple with internal conflicts about Earth’s fate and their own existence, resonating with Zhao’s interests in moral and philosophical dilemmas.
Critical Response and Impact
Upon its November 2021 release, Eternals received a varied reception from critics. While many praised Zhao’s ambition and the film’s sweeping themes, criticisms emerged over the characters, pacing, and screenplay. The film ultimately became the second-lowest-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe title on Rotten Tomatoes, holding a 47% score, just above Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania at 46%. This response marked a notable point of debate regarding the direction and breadth of the MCU’s evolving narrative style.
Zhao’s decision not only shaped the course of her career but also influenced the creative direction of Eternals within Marvel Studios. Her approach brought mythology, allegory, and philosophical depth to the forefront, making her MCU directing choice a distinctive chapter in the ongoing saga of superhero cinema.
