Eternals director Chloé Zhao adopted a creative approach while casting Marvel's newest superhero team. Once upon a time, Eternals was scheduled to be the second movie in the MCU's Phase 4. Had everything gone to plan, it would've been released in November 2020 and fans would already know everything there is to know about the cosmic, decades-spanning flick. However, the coronavirus pandemic forced a dramatic reshuffling of the Phase 4 calendar, and Eternals is now slated for release in November of this year. There is a chance that could change, though, if the pandemic complicates matters once again.

Due to Eternals' delays, much of the project remains a secret. It boasts a star-studded cast led by the likes of Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kumail Nanjiani. Each play a member of the titular Eternals, a group of near-immortal beings with incredible abilities who have watched over humanity from the shadows for thousands of years. A tragic event draws them back out into the light, and what happens after that, fans have yet to discover. So far, though, it's clear Eternals is shaping up to be one of Marvel's most ambitious projects yet.

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Even before Eternals began production, it took a rather unconventional but fascinating route. Nanjiani, who plays Kingo, recently spoke to Vulture for a profile on Zhao and commented on her casting strategy. It turns out Zhao picked everyone because of what she felt they could add to their characters. "I was like, 'Okay, so how do you see Kingo?' She was like, 'He's you. I picked you because I wanted him to be you,'" Nanjiani said. "That's how she picked the entire cast. She wanted everybody to put pieces of themselves into their characters." Based on that, it sounds like the characters of Eternals will hold some key parts of their portrayers, adding an extra level of authenticity to the film.

Chloe Zhao Eternals MCU

Zhao is best known for her independent work, but she's earning a lot of positive buzz right now. Her latest feature, Nomadland, is at the center of this ongoing awards season, and the positive notices that movie has received has only heightened audiences' excitement at seeing what she will do with Eternals. Marvel boss Kevin Feige described Zhao's Eternals pitch as the best he's ever heard, and Nanjiani's comments further highlight just how perfect she seems for the film. It sounds like the Eternals are safe in Zhao's hands.

Right now, it's hard to discern exactly what Eternals will look like. No official images or footage have been released, and fans have only been able to glimpse the team's costumes through merchandise or leaked images. This is because of Eternals' multiple delays. If Marvel intends to keep it scheduled for November, however, a trailer could emerge in the coming months. It's frustrating to have to wait, but everything that's been said about Eternals so far indicates it will be worth it.

More: MCU Theory: Why The Eternals Weren’t In Infinity War Or Endgame

Source: Vulture

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