It’s hard to call Marvel projects, “worst kept secrets,” but the company loves to play really coy about things we basically all know are coming. So, we know that indie filmmaker Chloé Zhao has been hired to direct “Eternals.” And we know that Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, and South Korean actor Dong-Seok Ma also known as Don Lee (“Last Train To Busan“), have all been discussed for roles. But Marvel always insists that known of these things are “official” until they unveil them. Well, today at Comic-Con, Marvel chief Kevin Feige revealed more and confirmed the movie’s expected release date and the aforementioned cast. “Eternals” will fly into theaters on November 6, 2020, the second Marvel movie of that year following “Black Widow” in the summer. This will be the first year that Marvel hasn’t released three films in one year since just after the beginning of Phase 3.
“Eternals” was written by Matthew K. Firpo (Justin Kurzel’s upcoming “Ruin”) and his partner Ryan Firpo. The two are writer/directors and have made several shorts together as well. Marvel also revealed additions to “Eternals” cast: Brian Tyree Henry (“Atlanta“), Lauren Ridloff (“The Walking Dead“), and Lia McHugh (“The Lodge“).
READ MORE: ‘Black Widow’: Marvel Officially Reveals May 2020 Release Date & Details [Comic-Con]
Here’s who plays who: Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
READ MORE: Angelina Jolie Joins Marvel’s Celestial Cosmic Film ‘The Eternals’
Marvel has gone out of its way to hire more women and persons of color, and that’s very evident in its diverse cast and choice of filmmaker. Chloé Zhao, “Eternals” director, might be their boldest choice yet. While Marvel has been tapping several indie filmmakers and giving them the big boost to the MCU stage, Zhao might be the most unlikely candidate thus far. Her films, “The Rider,” and “Songs My Brothers Taught Me,” are essentially contemporary western drama films, quiet, poetic, artsy and profoundly human and personal.
READ MORE: Mahershala Ali To Star In Marvel Studios’ New ‘Blade’ Film
“Eternals” are the opposite; about celestial gods that fit into the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Created by comic book icon Jack Kirby, “Eternals” follows a group of superpowered, near-immortal superhumans that were created by Marvel’s version of “the creator” known as the Celestials. We’re not entirely sure what liberties the film branch of Marvel will take with Kirby’s creation, but there’s plenty of stories that could put the film firmly on Earth or deep into the cosmos.
READ MORE: ‘Black Widow’: Marvel Officially Reveals May 2020 Release Date & Details [Comic-Con]
More will be revealed soon. For now, expect “Eternals” in theaters November 6, 2020, with a brand-new cast and a side of Marvel we’ve never seen before. Check out tweet context below. Images courtesy of Marvel Studios/Getty Images.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ THE ETERNALS with Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh and Don Lee. Directed by Chloé Zhao. In theaters November 6, 2020. pic.twitter.com/k6ZgfX38VW
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 21, 2019
Angelina Jolie and the rest of the cast of Marvel’s #Eternals take the Hall H stage at #SDCC50 pic.twitter.com/7BNczuYB2V
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) July 21, 2019
Kevin Feige anounces THE ETERNALS release date for Nov. 6, 2020. "It will be full on Jack Kirby."
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) July 21, 2019
Angelina Jolie says she’s going to work ten times harder because she really feels responsibility being in the MCU.
— /Film (@slashfilm) July 21, 2019
#Phase4 #MarvelSDCC pic.twitter.com/qymqMIblyI
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) July 21, 2019
Director of Eternals Chloe Zhao is on stage. She says that she’s wanted to make a Marvel movie for so long. This film is about a group of immortals but explores what it’s like to be human.
— /Film (@slashfilm) July 21, 2019
First look at the ETERNALS logo! #SDCC pic.twitter.com/WY7fSfJYpq
— MCU Exchange (@MCUExchange) July 21, 2019
This panel is for Phase Four! #MarvelSDCC #AgentMLovesSDCC #SDCC #MarvelStudios pic.twitter.com/rhm0D5WpsH
— Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) July 21, 2019
Starting with the Eternals! On stage is Director Chloe Zhao! #MarvelSDCC #AgentMLovesSDCC #SDCC #MarvelStudios pic.twitter.com/eqRm1lWVyq
— Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) July 21, 2019
