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Chloe Zhao Reflects on Marvels Eternals Ahead of Its Fifth-Anniversary Celebration
In early September 2026, the Venice International Film Festival will host a panel featuring director Chloé Zhao, who helmed Marvel Studios’ 2021 superhero film Eternals. The film’s fifth anniversary—November 5, 2026—will reignite interest in the project and spark a deeper look at its place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Eternals premiered in Los Angeles on October 18, 2021, and opened in the United States on November 5, 2021, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. It was the franchise’s 26th entry and the first MCU feature to receive a largely negative critical reception. While the movie earned a worldwide gross of $402.1 million, reviewers cited a fragmented screenplay and uneven pacing as major shortcomings. Despite the mixed reviews, a dedicated fan base remains drawn to its ambitious blend of mythic storytelling and superhero spectacle.
Zhao, who captured the Academy Award for Best Director with Nomadland in 2020, approached Eternals with a desire to craft a “big movie with real sets and a more thoughtful vibe.” Variety reported that she aimed to infuse artistic depth into a genre that traditionally prioritizes spectacle over narrative nuance. In a recent interview at the Venice Film Festival, Zhao described directing the film as “a dream come true.” She likened the process of adapting Western comic book material to creating manga, noting that she grew up aspiring to be a mangaka but never learned to draw.
During the festival, Zhao emphasized storytelling as a tool for “creating containers for people … to try to process what they need to process.” She highlighted archetypes—recurring mythic figures—as a shared cultural language that can bridge diverse audiences. She also clarified that her work on Eternals was not intended to be a direct artistic comparison to Nomadland. In a light‑hearted remark, she said the two films both explore “people in nature who have complicated relationships with them.”
Industry observers note that Zhao’s direction of Eternals represented a rare instance of an independent filmmaker taking the helm of a major studio superhero film. The project was green‑lit after Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced its production in April 2018. Zhao was granted significant creative freedom to rewrite the script, drawing inspiration from filmmakers such as Terrence Malick and focusing on natural lighting and expansive locations.
While Eternals did not achieve the critical acclaim Zhao had hoped for, many reviewers and fans recognize the film’s ambition. It remains a reference point for future MCU projects that aim to balance blockbuster expectations with more contemplative storytelling. As the film’s fifth anniversary approaches, industry analysts anticipate that the conversation around Eternals will influence how Marvel and other studios approach genre hybrids and creative collaborations.
The Venice Film Festival panel will also give Zhao a platform to discuss her broader career trajectory, including her work on Nomadland, The Rider, and her upcoming 2025 film Hamnet. The festival, which runs from September 2 to 12, 2026, is a key venue for filmmakers to showcase projects that intersect mainstream and independent cinema.
In summary, Chloé Zhao’s reflections on Eternals underscore the film’s role as a bold, if imperfect, experiment in marrying mythic narrative with superhero spectacle. The upcoming anniversary offers a chance for audiences and critics alike to revisit the film’s legacy and assess its influence on the evolving landscape of genre filmmaking.
Eternals premiered in Los Angeles on October 18, 2021, and opened in the United States on November 5, 2021, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. It was the franchise’s 26th entry and the first MCU feature to receive a largely negative critical reception. While the movie earned a worldwide gross of $402.1 million, reviewers cited a fragmented screenplay and uneven pacing as major shortcomings. Despite the mixed reviews, a dedicated fan base remains drawn to its ambitious blend of mythic storytelling and superhero spectacle.
Zhao, who captured the Academy Award for Best Director with Nomadland in 2020, approached Eternals with a desire to craft a “big movie with real sets and a more thoughtful vibe.” Variety reported that she aimed to infuse artistic depth into a genre that traditionally prioritizes spectacle over narrative nuance. In a recent interview at the Venice Film Festival, Zhao described directing the film as “a dream come true.” She likened the process of adapting Western comic book material to creating manga, noting that she grew up aspiring to be a mangaka but never learned to draw.
During the festival, Zhao emphasized storytelling as a tool for “creating containers for people … to try to process what they need to process.” She highlighted archetypes—recurring mythic figures—as a shared cultural language that can bridge diverse audiences. She also clarified that her work on Eternals was not intended to be a direct artistic comparison to Nomadland. In a light‑hearted remark, she said the two films both explore “people in nature who have complicated relationships with them.”
Industry observers note that Zhao’s direction of Eternals represented a rare instance of an independent filmmaker taking the helm of a major studio superhero film. The project was green‑lit after Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced its production in April 2018. Zhao was granted significant creative freedom to rewrite the script, drawing inspiration from filmmakers such as Terrence Malick and focusing on natural lighting and expansive locations.
While Eternals did not achieve the critical acclaim Zhao had hoped for, many reviewers and fans recognize the film’s ambition. It remains a reference point for future MCU projects that aim to balance blockbuster expectations with more contemplative storytelling. As the film’s fifth anniversary approaches, industry analysts anticipate that the conversation around Eternals will influence how Marvel and other studios approach genre hybrids and creative collaborations.
The Venice Film Festival panel will also give Zhao a platform to discuss her broader career trajectory, including her work on Nomadland, The Rider, and her upcoming 2025 film Hamnet. The festival, which runs from September 2 to 12, 2026, is a key venue for filmmakers to showcase projects that intersect mainstream and independent cinema.
In summary, Chloé Zhao’s reflections on Eternals underscore the film’s role as a bold, if imperfect, experiment in marrying mythic narrative with superhero spectacle. The upcoming anniversary offers a chance for audiences and critics alike to revisit the film’s legacy and assess its influence on the evolving landscape of genre filmmaking.
