Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao nearly entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe through a very different door. The filmmaker recently disclosed that she initially met with the studio to direct Black Widow before taking the reins on Eternals. While timing issues derailed that specific plan, Zhao confirmed she remains open to another superhero venture.
Missed Connection with Natasha Romanoff
Zhao did not wait for Marvel Studios to call her. The director took the initiative and approached the studio giant herself. She initially expressed interest in directing the solo film for Scarlett Johansson’s character.
She revealed that the project simply did not align with her schedule.
“I went in at first for ‘Black Widow,’ and then there was a scheduling conflict,” Zhao explained during a recent industry event. This meeting occurred before Cate Shortland eventually signed on to direct the 2021 spy thriller. The discussion focused on a grounded story about the Russian super-spy rather than cosmic deities.
Fate intervened to push Zhao toward a much larger canvas.
Producer Nate Moore later presented her with the treatment for Eternals. The concept of immortal beings acting like a Greek pantheon immediately grabbed her attention. This shift allowed her to explore humanity on a grand scale rather than through a single character study.
Chloe Zhao Marvel Cinematic Universe director interview
Exploring Humanity Through Myth
The transition from independent dramas to a massive blockbuster stemmed from her personal journey. Zhao spent a decade traveling across the United States before joining the MCU.
She felt a volcano of ideas bubbling inside her during those travels.
“For those 10 years when I was going around America and learning new ways of life and having a relationship with nature, something was bubbling inside really intensely,” Zhao noted. She viewed the superhero genre as a modern way to process these experiences.
- Allegorical Storytelling: She loves using myths to explain human nature.
- Cultural Roots: Growing up with manga gave her a love for world-building.
- Processing Reality: Eternals became her outlet for questions about society.
She admitted that jumping into such a massive franchise should have been scary. However, she tends to “jump before she knows how to swim.” This fearless approach defined her transition from Nomadland to Marvel’s cosmic side.
A Potential Return to Superheroes
Many fans wonder if Zhao is finished with the comic book world. The critical reception to Eternals was mixed compared to her previous work. Yet, the director is not closing the door on Kevin Feige’s universe just yet.
“I would, yeah,” she stated when asked about directing another Marvel movie.
There is one major condition for her return. The story must “choose her” rather than her chasing the franchise for the sake of it. She views her projects as alignments of timing and creative passion.
This perspective suggests she sees the MCU as a sandbox she could play in again. It depends entirely on finding the right character or narrative that sparks that same intense curiosity she felt for the Eternals.
Bridging the Gap with Manga
Zhao is currently focusing her energy on connecting Eastern and Western storytelling traditions. She recently secured a partnership with Kodansha, the massive Japanese publishing house.
Her goal is to adapt Japanese stories for global audiences properly.
“My whole life, it’s always been a dream to be able to create and foster more connection and understanding between the East and the West,” she said. She noted that live-action adaptations of anime and manga often suffer from “loss in translation.”
| Focus Area | Goal |
|---|---|
| Source Material | Respect original Japanese authors. |
| Adaptation | Create high-quality live-action versions. |
| Role | Serve as a bridge for international filmmakers. |
She wants to fix the difficulties filmmakers traditionally face when adapting these beloved properties. This new venture highlights her continued interest in genre storytelling beyond standard Hollywood dramas.
Chloé Zhao proves that a filmmaker can move between intimate indie films and massive blockbusters. Her revelation about Black Widow shows how different the MCU timeline could have been. Fans will now wait to see if the right story chooses her for a Marvel return.
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