Eternals director teases first-ever sex scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
By Dan Selcke
Chloé Zhao is determined to shake up the Marvel formula; her new movie Eternals is different from the usual superhero fare the studio has put out. She brings more of her indie sensibility to it, with a lot of location shots, a sprawling story, and at least one sex scene.
Despite 26 movies and several TV series under its belt, there has never been a sex scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; the most we’ve ever gotten is a kiss here and there, sans any hand stuff. But Eternals is pushing the envelope, although Zhao had to approach the moment carefully.
“From that moment to what you see on-screen there was definitely a lot of discussion about how to do it,” Zhao told IndieWire. “But I think the desire to do something different is a very natural desire for where Marvel Studios is right now. I think it’s like Westerns coming into the revisionist period of the ‘70s. I think it’s happening to superhero films — or at least we’re on the edge of that. And so these scenes just started to happen naturally.”
"For us to be able to show two people who love each other, not just emotionally and intellectually but also physically, and to have a sex scene that will be seen by a lot of people that shows their love and compassion and gentleness—I think it’s a really beautiful thing."
I like that Zhao has a lot of film knowledge, and it probably is time for superhero movies to pivot to something new; the Marvel formula can’t work forever.
Eternals is different, but different isn’t always good
That said, Eternals may not be the movie to make the switch, at least if the reviews are any indication; it’s currently Marvel’s lowest-rated movie ever, and the only one to receive a “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Then again, maybe that’s just critics not being willing to accept change. Fans can decide for themselves when Eternals opens in theaters this weekend.
Next. Eternals producer contemplates the unthinkable: Not making a sequel. dark
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