Salma Hayek wasn’t allowed to read Eternals script until she actually signed on. You know the way the movie business normally works, agents and studios talk to each other and if an established star is interested, they are normally sent the script. Well, not with Marvel Studios, at least not for Eternals.
The actress recently chatted with Variety and talked about how secretive the whole process was. Hayek was asked initially what she knew about her character going in.
“Nothing. I didn’t know anything about it. I’m very lucky. I have a Mexican friend and she’s a female, who’s the biggest Marvel geek that you can imagine. My problem was, I was sworn to secrecy because I was one of the first people that they hired, but I had to keep it in a secret for a long, long time. So, when I had the call, I said to them, “I confess. Eventually I will know everything that there is to know, but what are the Eternals? Do they exist in comics? I don’t know who’s Ajax.’” And then they explained everything to me. They explained me the script. They didn’t give me the script. I had to sign the contract without reading the script. They wouldn’t let me see the script until I signed. That was very unsettling.”
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As you would, the trade then asked Hayek what she would do if she did not likje the script, yet was already signed on?
“I was scared. But it doesn’t matter because I’m going to tell you why I didn’t care. I love the director. She’s brilliant. And then I like that [Ajax] is kind of the leader. She’s the only one that can talk to the Celestials. And I said, “I’ll get to be bossy on this one, too. I can play that.” Giving instructions, telling people what to do, I can do that. Then I was afraid of the outfit. I’m claustrophobic. I was very afraid that I was going to feel like I couldn’t move. It has a completely different DNA from the [other Marvel movies]. It’s shot different than all the other ones. It’s in real locations and they found some crazy extra-terrestrial-looking locations. I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about what they do with the camera, but…it’s not mostly done in post. The cinematography is incredible.”
That’s interesting, what does Hayek mean by, “I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about what they do with the camera, but…it’s not mostly done in post.” Is there there something unique in the way Eternals was filmed? Eternals really is one of the most secretive of Marvel’s projects and despite many toy releases and images, we still know very little about the plot of the movie.
I feel like we have waited too long for Eternals already. What do you think of Hayek’s comments that she wasn’t allowed to read the Eternals script? As always leave any thoughts you have below.