(Image source: Marvel Studios)
In 2021, Chloé Zhao made history as only the second woman to win the Best Director Oscar for "Nomadland." She then quickly followed up with the Marvel superhero epic "Eternals," marking her swift transition from independent filmmaking to the commercial mainstream. However, according to Zhao's latest comments, her initial connection with Marvel Studios wasn't for "Eternals" at all, but rather for "Black Widow." "Eternals" was not the first Marvel film she applied to direct.
(Image source: Marvel Studios)
Zhao, who is currently promoting her new project "Hamnet," revealed during an interview on "The Town with Matt Belloni" podcast that she initially sought to direct "Black Widow." "I actually went in to pitch for 'Black Widow' first, but the timing didn't work out," she explained. "Then, Nate Moore, the producer on 'Eternals,' showed me the treatment, and I was blown away. I could use these gods to stage an ancient Greek play, exploring humanity, and then I could create monsters and space gods in it, right? Maybe that should have scared me, but I just love a challenge."
While "Eternals" ultimately received mixed reviews and had a modest box office performance, Zhao stated that she is still open to returning to Marvel, provided the right script comes along.