‘Eternals’ Director Says the Film Had an “Unlimited Amount of Money and Resources”

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Chloe Zhao has returned with a fresh movie titled Hamnet, which is her debut project following the directorial role for Marvel’s Eternals.

The upcoming superhero movie had a budget significantly higher than what Zhao has worked with before, even in her highly praised dramas like “The Rider” and “Nomadland,” the latter of which claimed the Academy Award for Best Picture. Although critics had varying opinions on “Eternals,” Zhao views it as a crucial milestone leading to her current projects.

Zhao shared that working on ‘The Eternals’ helped him transition to ‘Hamnet’, as it involved creating a new universe, unlike the real-world films he had previously worked on. He also gained insights about what works and what doesn’t in terms of realism during this experience.

She noted that the Eternals had an infinite amount of money and resources at their disposal, while all they could manage was a single street corner in Stratford as a stand-in. The Eternals didn’t face many limitations, but having only one street corner in Hamnet made everything significantly more meaningful.

In addition to Zhao, Hamnet received backing from renowned directors like Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes. She explained that their input was particularly valuable because they are both exceptional filmmakers. As a result, when they provided her with feedback, it was already tailored to suit her unique style.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself in moments where my actions might have been perplexing or hard to fathom for others. Yet, there were instances when they would unexpectedly express faith in me, saying, “You know what? We believe in you. Carry on with your unique approach.

In 2021, The Eternals made its debut – a Marvel movie featuring an everlasting team of superheroes reemerging on Earth following millennia, to confront their age-old adversaries, known as the Deviants.

As a fan, I’m excited to be part of the conversation about the 26th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is a significant step forward after Endgame. This film was co-written by Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo.

This extraordinary acting group is made up of Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie.

Various reviewers expressed differing opinions about the film “Eternals”. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it has received an approval rating of 47% from 417 reviews, and its average rating is 5.6 out of 10.

The general consensus on this site is that “Eternals” is a daring superhero saga that flies high as much as it stretches its limits, offering fresh and sometimes perplexing perspectives to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Metacritic gives it a score of 52 out of 100, which indicates a mix of positive and negative reviews. Initial audience polls on CinemaScore marked it with a “B,” making it the lowest-graded MCU film at its premiere. However, PostTrak reported that 78% of viewers had a favorable response to the movie.

In financial terms, The Eternals grossed approximately $164.9 million in North America and $237.2 million overseas, totaling around $402.1 million globally. During its opening weekend, it generated about $162 million worldwide, with over $13.6 million coming from IMAX theaters. This made it the second-largest global debut for a Hollywood film during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drawing on my experience from working on Eternals, I’ve gained valuable insights into managing big-budget productions. Now, as I dive into Hamnet, I’m channeling that expertise in a more personalized and nuanced approach to bring this story to life.

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2025-08-27 10:45