Chloé Zhao, the brilliant mind behind Oscar-winning films likeNomadland, confirmed that the highly anticipatedEternalswill have a very big effect on the future of the MCU.
Eternalscenters on an immortal alien race that was created by the Celestials and has been living secretly on Earth for thousands of years. They finally have tocome together to stop the Deviants, their evil counterparts. Speaking with Total Film for their upcoming issue, which featuresEternalson the cover, Zhao gave insight on the potential scale of the film and the impact it will have on future stories in the MCU.
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“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 this film. Which, you know, as a fan, is really satisfying for me! I geek out,” Zhao shares. It’s still unclear just exactly what Zhao is referring to in that statement, but knowing thatphase 4 of the MCUis headed in a more cosmic direction and how Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has been hinting at the possible appearance of popular characters within that realm,Eternalsseems to open up many new doors into space and other universes that should have plenty of fans excited. 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxychanged the landscape of the MCU in the best way possible by taking the franchise to space, introducing otherworldly characters and places that were only the beginning of what will eventually lead audiences to grander phases.
Other cast members shared their thoughts onEternals, believing the film will be impactful in other ways involving representation and diversity. Salma Hayek, who plays Ajak, added, “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.’ TheEternalswere smarter than Hollywood. You see that they’ve got the essence of something. Our diversity goes beyond geography. It’s just a group of unique individuals.”
Star Angelina Jolie, who plays Thena in the film, adds, “It’s insane that it has taken this long, and that it’s not already regularly this form of representation, because it didn’t feel special – it just felt correct. It just felt like an appropriate representation of the world we live in.“Walking Deadactor Lauren Ridloff, who plays the deaf hero Makkari in the film, shared her thoughts on the importance of empowerment. “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,” she said.
TheEternalscast also includes Richard Madden as Ikaris, Gemma Chan as Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos,Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, Lia McHugh as Sprite, and Harish Patel as Karun. Looking to continue to build off of the success of the recently releasedShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, other exciting upcoming MCU projects besidesEternalsinclude the Disney Plus seriesHawkeyeandMs. Marvel, as well as feature films likeSpider-Man: No Way Home,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, andThor: Love and Thunder. Zhao co-wroteEternalswith Matthew K. Firpo and Ryan Firpo.
Eternalsis set to release in theatres on July 30, 2025.
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