When Chloé Zhao’s Eternals debuted in 2021, it was met with a mixed reception from Marvel fans. Now, as the MCU enters Phase 5, Zhao has reflected on the movie and the reaction it evoked from fans and critics.
In an interview with THR, the director was asked about if she found Eternals‘ lukewarm reception frustrating. Zhao explained that the size of Marvel’s audience means there will be many different viewpoints and that it’s important for a director to stay true to themselves.
“When you’re in Marvel and when you’re dealing with an audience that big, I truly treasure and respect that each of us is so unique. It’s exciting that we’re all so different, and we’re all changing and growing every day,” Zhao said. “But with a global audience, it’s almost impossible to make everybody perfectly happy, and to do that is to say that everyone is the same. So I think there’s inevitably going to be that [difference of opinion], and you just have to stay true to the kind of film you want to make and who you are and the people you’re collaborating with. That’s all you can do, really, and have a good time. Everything else is out of your control.”
The filmmaker was also asked about if her Dracula movie, which was first announced in 2021 and was described as “an original, futuristic, sci-fi western.” When asked if the movie was still in development, Zhao simply said, “Yes, I’m writing the script right now.”
Eternals was directed by Oscar and Golden Globe winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland). It was co-written by Matthew K. Firpo and Ryan Firpo and produced by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.
