Eternals director Chloé Zhao explains why she wanted to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 4 is filled with several highly anticipated sequels, but Eternals is one of the potential new franchises Marvel Studios is hoping to launch. Despite most people in the world not knowing a thing about any of the characters, Marvel is betting that an all-star cast and a unique vision from Zhao will help Eternals go from being a "risk" to a Guardians of the Galaxy-style breakout hit.

Like the entirety of Phase 4, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an extended wait to see what Zhao will do with Eternals. Marvel has yet to release any official photos from the film, much less a trailer, and the best-case scenario now is that the film will be released in early 2021. Still, there is growing excitement for the movie, thanks to Zhao's involvement. Her new movie Nomadland won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival and is currently regarded as an awards contender for next year. Eternals is just her fourth film and easily the biggest movie of her career, but Zhao believes she was ready to make the jump.

Related: Every Upcoming Marvel Movie Eternals Can Set Up

Zhao recently spoke to Indiewire about the making of Nomadland and her decision to join the MCU, which was an easy one to make in her mind. She is far from the first indie director to tackle an MCU film, but the experience of making a giant blockbuster wasn't the reason she wanted to make Eternals. Instead, she credits her existing fandom of the MCU and a desire to make timeless films.

I’ve been a fan of the MCU for over a decade, so it makes sense for me to jump into a Marvel movie. I want to make films that last, that have a timeless feel to them, that aren’t just a flash in the pan with whatever topic is trending on Twitter right now. I’m not interested in that stuff.

Chloe Zhao on set

The growing popularity of the MCU has allowed Marvel Studios to bring some talented people into this universe, and Zhao looks to be the latest. Whether it's the Russo brothers, James Gunn, or Taika Waititi, Marvel has brought directors out of relative obscurity and helped them become some of the biggest in the world. And with their Phase 4 lineup, Zhao is one of many diverse filmmakers whose voices will be elevated by this approach.

Still, her explanation for joining the MCU is rather unique, and the timeless quality could be an intriguing tidbit. There will always be fans of the MCU, and it isn't easy to imagine a day coming when the universe will end altogether, so making a film that will resonate in 2021 and decades from then is the right approach. One way that Eternals will separate itself in that regard is featuring the most diverse lineup of heroes ever seen in a single MCU film. The Eternals will include characters from multiple ethnicities, as well as include LGBTQ and deaf members. And since Zhao had complete creative freedom, hopefully, Eternals will live up to the growing hype.

Next: Eternals' Thanos Connection Could Set Up A New Avenger For Phase 5

Source: Indiewire

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