Zhao's success was initially heralded as a victory in her native China, a falsely reported quote circulated online which led to mentions of the film being censored online. The effects are still being felt with Eternals, despite being a tent-pole release for Disney, struggling to gain a release date in the country.
Eternals will be Zhao's first time helming a blockbuster release, but her talents look set to bring a fresh and unique take on the Marvel format. The film follows the eponymous group of immortal aliens who been watching over Earth for 7,000 years, protecting the planet from their mortal foes, the Deviants. With half the planet's population returning in the wake of Thanos' defeat in Endgame serving as the catalyst for the return of the Deviants, the Eternals are forced to band together once again to protect their new home. Eternals features an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, and Kumail Nanjiani.
As reported by Dune is set to be one of the tent-pole releases of the Fall season alongside Eternals, for Harper's Bazaar. During the conversation, Zhao told Villeneuve that she would love to work as his assistant on one of his films. She went on to reveal that when she pitched Eternals, she used "stills from your films as references," adding that she is "naturally drawn to filmmakers who have a very strong bond in world building." You can read Zhao's full statement below:
"I would like to apply for a job on your set to be your assistant. You know, when I went to pitch Eternals, I had stills from your films as references. I'm naturally drawn to filmmakers who have a very strong hand in world building. When I watch your films, even though they're of different genres, from Sicario to Arrival to Prisoners and then Blade Runner 2049, you managed to build such visceral worlds I can feel and almost touch."
Earlier this year, Zhao was lucky enough to see a preview of Villeneuve's Dune adaptation and was highly complimentary of the film, while also lamenting that some won't be able to view the film in the cinema. She's clearly a huge fan of Villeneuve's work, so it's understandable then why she would base her own work on his. Villeneuve is noted for his spectacular visuals, especially in the likes of Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. From what has been shown of Eternals so far, Zhao appears to have drawn heavy inspiration from his work for her own.
Marvel Studios have been eagerly recruiting new and emergent talent for their new projects, recruiting the likes of Nia DaCosta for Eternals, in the hopes that they can bring something fresh to the table that also falls within the tried and tested Marvel formula. The studio certainly seem to have seen potential in her pitch for them to greenlight her film. Hopefully in drawing inspiration from Villeneuve's work, Zhao can ensure that Eternals stand out from the pack with its unique visuals and world-building.
Source: /Film
