First Look: Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals’

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

Marvel Studios shared the first footage of Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao’s “Eternals” as part of a montage promo celebrating the return to cinemas. The montage also included new footage of “Black Widow” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”. The films are part of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“Eternals” is one of the most anticipated Marvel titles since “Avengers: Endgame”, especially since Zhao’s “Nomadland” nearly swept the Academy Awards. Zhao’s signature visual style is present in the brief footage, including gorgeous sunsets and practical imagery as opposed to heavy-handed visual effects.

The film follows the titular Eternals, a race of superpowered and immortal beings that have protected Earth for millennia. The ensemble cast boasts names like Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, who’s been hinted at as the film’s star, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kit Harrington, Barry Keoghan and Brian Tyree Henry.

According to the comics, created by Jack Kirby, the Eternals disbanded at some point and went into hiding. The events of “Avengers: Endgame”, however, lead the Eternals to reassemble.

“Eternals” is set to release in theaters on November 5, 2021.

ETERNALS
Directed by Chloé Zhao
Screenplay by Matthew K. Firpo, Ryan Firpo, Chloé Zhao
Produced by Mitchell Bell, Kevin Feige, Nate Moore
Cinematography by Ben Davis
Music by Ramin Djawadi
Starring Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kit Harrington, Lauren Ridloff, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan, Lia McHugh, Ma Dong-seok