Director Chloe Zhao says that the upcoming Marvel movie Eternals will be a standalone story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, with the story standing alone, the film will have a major impact on the future of the universe.
She then goes on to say that Marvel’s Eternals will have a story that exists in its own world. Director Chloe Zhao and the rest of the cast spoke about the movie to Total Film, in their latest issue. This issue also features different covers featuring different Eternals characters. In the interview, Zhao then goes on to say “I think we stand alone as a film for sure. But I do think we will have a very big effect on the future of the MCU with what happens in the film. Which, you know, as a fan, is really satisfying for me! I geek out.”
The Praise for Eternals Has Already Begun
Other members of the cast have also discussed how unique the upcoming Marvel movie will be. Many have already praised the film for its cast of characters being more diverse than a typical Hollywood Blockbuster. The movie will also introduce the MCU’s first openly queer character, who will have a husband and child in the movie.
At the same time as having a racially and ethnically diverse cast, Eternals will also introduce two deaf superheroes. Lauren Ridloff’s Marka, who will be joined by many more on Hawkeye, went on to say, “I think that the comics give us hope and that is what the MCU does. I feel that with more representation and diversity within the MCU, that sense of optimism and ‘can-do’ becomes more strong, more palpable. I hope that people who feel seen also feel empowered to dream bigger.”
In the same interview, Salma Hayek goes on to say “No one [normally] calls and says, ‘I’ve been thinking about you for my next film. And it’s also a huge movie, and you are one of the leads. And you get to be a superhero in your fifties when you’re Mexican Lebanese. The Eternals were smarter than Hollywood. You see that they’ve got the essence of something. Our diversity goes beyond the geography. It’s just a group of unique individuals.”
Marvel’s Eternals will arrive on November 5 in theaters.