After “Nomadland” picked up Best Picture, Best Actress for Frances McDormand, and Best Director for Chloé Zhao at the Oscars last month, it’s safe to say that Zhao will be able to do whatever she wants as a director for quite a while. Next up, however, is her foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with her take on Jack Kirby‘s “Eternals.”
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Kirby’s comic series follows a group of immortal humanoid aliens sworn to protect Earth from danger. Their main adversaries are the Deviants, products of the same genetic experiments performed by the Celestials (the universe’s creators) to create the Eternals. Now, Zhao brings the saga of these cosmically-powered misfits to the MCU. Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
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Zhao’s name already brings a ton of buzz to “Eternals,” but the film also touts a massive acting ensemble. The cast includes Gemma Chan, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, and Brian Tyree Henry. Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Don Lee, Kit Harrington, and Barry Keoghan round out the main cast.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” welcomes an exciting new team of Super-Heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The epic story, spanning thousands of years, features a group of immortal heroes forced out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s oldest enemy, The Deviants. The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harington plays Dane Whitman.
Kaz and Ryan Firpo co-wrote the script, with Zhao also receiving a writing credit (and the first primary credit, according to the trailer). Ramin Djawadi returns to the MCU for the first time since 2008’s “Iron Man” to provide music for the film.
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The 26th Marvel film looks like the most multicultural, inclusive, and cosmically weird MCU film released yet. It’s also a taste of things to come in Marvel’s Phase 4, with more time-bending stories and deep-cut superheroes on the way. Will Chloé Zhao strike critical gold again with “Eternals”? Find out on November 5, when the movie releases. Check the trailer below.