I loveSalma Hayek. I’ve always loved Salma Hayek. I liked Salma Hayek inThe Faculty. I liked Salma Hayek inDogma. AndEverly. AndBeatriz at Dinner. I loved the mere sound of Salma Hayek’s voice as the bisexual beef taco Teresa Del Taco inSausage Party. Hell, I even enjoy Salma Hayek in theGrown Upsmovies. And I look forward to catching up withThe Hummingbird Projectsoon. This is to say that Salma Hayek is awesome, and even the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be lucky to have the Oscar-nominated actress.
Well, guess what? Collider’s own sources have confirmed that Salma Hayek,theSalma Hayek, is in talks to play a significant role inThe Eternals, whose talented director,Chloe Zhao, is putting togetherquitethe cast. Oscar winnerAngelina Jolieremains in talks to star as an Eternal named Sersi alongsideKumail Nanjiani,Ma Dong-seokandBodyguardsensationRichard Madden, the latter of whom is set to play group leader Ikiris. Hayek’s role remains a mystery, and I’m not familiar enough with the comic to wager an educated guess.
The comic book series, created in 1976 byJack Kirby, follows near-immortal beings known as Eternals and a more monstrous offshoot known as the Deviants that were created by cosmic beings known as Celestials. Or something like that. Either way, you best believe that cool MCU stuff will ensue. There. Will. Be. Cameos… Maybe. But aren’t there always?
Anyway,Kevin Feigeis producingThe Eternals, which Zhao is directing from a script written byMatthewandRyan Firpo. Which brings me tothe Hollywood Reporter. Now, I’mnotsaying thisishappening, but as a Marvel observer, I wouldn’t be shocked if we learned of another writer coming in to punch things up. It’s kind of the Marvel way, if not the All of Hollywood way – now and forever. Maybe it’ll be someone Marvel has already worked with, but maybe not. I’m just saying, the fact thatTHRwent out of its way to report that Jolie’s deal has yet to close makes me wonder if she’s waiting on a rewrite from someone she trusts. A lot of people have Oscars, but an A-lister with an Oscar is a powerful thing, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jolie wieldRobert Downey Jr.-like influence at Disney, where she also toplines theMaleficentfranchise. All I’m saying is, that was a curious detail inTHR’s report.
Hayek recently wrapped the upcoming action-comedyThe Hitman’s Wife’s BodyguardwithRyan ReynoldsandSamuel L. Jackson, and she’s currently filming the indie comedyBlisswithOwen Wilson. Hayek will soon be seen inSally Potter’s dramaMolly, which boasts a great cast includingLaura Linney,Elle Fanning,Javier BardemandChris Rock, as well as in the Paramount comedyLimited PartnersstarringTiffany HaddishandRose Byrne.
Hayek, whose production company Ventanarosa has a first-look deal at Lionsgate, is represented by CAA and Management 360.TheWrapbroke the news of Hayek’s casting, which has not yet been confirmed by Marvel, as negotiations are said to be at an early stage.
