Marvel Studios taps Chloe Zhao as their director for The Eternals

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Marvel Studios has found their director for the feature film adaptation of THE ETERNALS with Chloe Zhao (THE RIDER, SONGS MY BROTHER TAUGHT ME), who will now helm the upcoming superhero team-based action adventure penned by RUIN script writers Matthew and Ryan Firpo. Marvel's The Eternals are a group of superpowered and near-immortal beings who made their first appearance in the pages of The Eternals #1 circa 1976. Created by comic book legend Jack Kirby, The Eternals are often described as an offshoot of the transformative process that created sentient life on Earth. As the story goes, The Eternals were intended to be defenders of Earth by their creators, The Celestials. In time, an opposing force known as the Deviants were introduced as a way to secure the destruction of the goodly-natured beings.

Sources close to the film are saying that one aspect of the plot involves the love story between Ikaris, a man fueled by cosmic energy, and Sersi, who relishes moving amongst humans. Members of The Eternals are said to vary in shape, size, and other physical attributes, allowing Marvel to cast a wide net when hoping to land stars for the upcoming comic book blockbuster.

After several weeks of searching, Marvel arrived at Zhao as their top choice after considering WATCHMEN's Nicole Kassell, Travis Knight (BUMBLEBEE, KUBO AND THE TWO STINGS), as well as Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra, the helmers of BIRDS OF PASSAGE, a 2018 Colombian drama. Not long ago, Zhao was was on Marvel's short-list to direct the BLACK WIDOW standalone feature starring Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, though the gig ultimately went to Cate Shortland (LORE, SOMERSAULT) instead.

Little else is known about THE ETERNALS project at this time, but we'll be sure to keep you updated as the latest details arise.