- Entertainment
- Movies
- Action Movies
- Marvel Movies
- Eternals
It was either gods and monsters or whistling spies for the Oscar-winning director
Comments (0) ()When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
MCU fans can probably pinpoint where the franchise started to fall off the tracks: its first woefully received post-Endgame film, Eternals. All the pieces were there to make this film work and introduce a new team of heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after its most beloved bunch had just finished saving the universe. It had Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao at the helm with a host of stars, including Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, leading the charge. Unfortunately, things didn’t go too well for the film, which still stands at 47% on Rotten Tomatoes (even though we didn’t mind it). It turns out, though, that things might’ve been different had Zhao gone for the film she was initially offered — 2021 prequel, Black Widow.
During an appearance on The Ringer, Zhao discussed her time in the billion-dollar franchise and revealed that Eternals wasn’t the first film on the table when the studio approached her. "I went in at first for Black Widow, and then there was a scheduling conflict,” Zhao revealed. “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?’” Looking back, Zhao believed that the job should’ve been daunting at first glance, but her approach was very much the opposite. “It probably should have scared me. I don’t know. I tend to jump before I know how to swim.”
Zhao explained that this world of immortals and monsters spoke to her a lot more than the backstory of Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff. "For those 10 years when I was going around America and learning new ways of life and having a relationship with nature, there was something bubbling inside really intensely," the director added. "The volcano reference erupted, and that was in the form of Eternals. Because Eternals, at its heart, is a story about a pantheon of gods having discussions about the nature of humanity.”
You may like-
From Secret Invasion to the Black Widow movie releasing after Endgame, Marvel fans are discussing the MCU's biggest missteps
-
Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar praises director Chloé Zhao's involvement in the revival
-
MCU star Elizabeth Olsen is aware of superhero fatigue, and argues that "these movies aren't for critics, these movies are for fans"
Even with all that to pick apart, Eternals didn’t land as well as it could’ve, which is a huge shame. Since the film’s release, we’ve seen very little of the gods living among us, with the only returning character being Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo. The actor has also spoken out about initial plans to sign on for six movies and a video game, none of which came to pass. Perhaps there might be some life left in the Eternals further down the line, but when you consider the eventual arrival of Doctor Doom and a new band of X-Men eventually making an appearance, it doesn’t seem likely. For now, check out our list of every upcoming movie and show heading our way here.
Sign up for the Total Film NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Marvel Studios
Nick StaniforthSocial Links NavigationContributing WriterNick is a freelancer whose work can be found at Screen Rant, The Digital Fix, and Looper. He loves movies, TV, DC, and Marvel. He also believes that the best Robin Hood is still a talking fox.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
From Secret Invasion to the Black Widow movie releasing after Endgame, Marvel fans are discussing the MCU's biggest missteps
Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar praises director Chloé Zhao's involvement in the revival
MCU star Elizabeth Olsen is aware of superhero fatigue, and argues that "these movies aren't for critics, these movies are for fans"
A new behind-the-scenes Thunderbolts photo is making fans even more disappointed with one character death: "She showed her face for like two seconds for absolutely no reason"
Marvel Zombies does Wanda Maximoff dirty again, and repeats the biggest mistake from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Director of X-Men flop New Mutants slams "unfulfilling" and "traumatic" experience: "We made half the movie we wanted to make"
Latest in Marvel Movies
Robert Downey Jr. shares cryptic new Marvel art of Doctor Doom and Iron Man for Thanksgiving, adding fuel to the theory they'll be connected in Avengers: Doomsday
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink hints that she's not playing Mary Jane in Marvel's Spider-Man 4: "I'm excited for it to be put to rest"
Hugh Jackman is "never saying never" about returning to the MCU as Wolverine, but also jokes "they have enough for an AI version of me"
X-Men actor Kelsey Grammer says too much and reveals the MCU heroes and villains he will be sharing scenes with in Avengers: Doomsday
I just did a spit-take at the discount on this Iron Man helmet replica, because you can save a silly amount of cash right now
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink has reportedly joined the cast of Avengers: Secret Wars, making her Spider-Man 4 character even more mysterious
Latest in News
Chloé Zhao reveals the original Marvel movie she got offered before taking up Eternals
"After Baldur's Gate 3, I didn't think we'd be in this position": The team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can't quite believe they've matched Larian's award wins
After almost 10 years, a Dead Rising sequel is reportedly happening with Capcom bringing back time limits and trapping Frank West in a zombie-infested Hollywood
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director doesn't think sales and awards success should change the studio: "What we want to do is exactly what we wanted to do when we started"
Silksong devs say it's "unfortunate" their release date caused so many panicked indie delays: "We didn't even know the date until basically a week or two before"
Cyber Monday retro deals 2025, with all the savings now live
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Escape from Tarkov review: "An extraction shooter that will make you truly miserable if you let it, but can offer dizzying highs you won't find elsewhere"- 2Fans think this is the best strategy board game ever made, and I have to admit that they've got a point
- 3Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
- 4This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
- 5Kirby Air Riders review: "This racer is also equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike – and I'm shocked at how well that works"
1Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"- 2Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
- 3The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
- 4Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
- 5Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
1Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”- 2Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
- 3The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
- 4IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
- 5Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
