Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek Pinault is being eyed to star opposite Richard Madden and Kumail Nanjiani in Marvel’s “The Eternals,” which focuses on a group of ancient human beings, an individual with knowledge of the project exclusively told TheWrap.
Details about Hayek’s character are being kept under wraps.
“The Rider” director Chloe Zhao will direct the film. Matthew and Ryan Firpo (“Ruin”) are writing the script. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige is producing. TheWrap also first reported South Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, will make his American film debut in the film.
Created by comic legend Jack Kirby in 1976, the Eternals are a race of ancient human beings created a million years ago by the cosmic entities known as the Celestials.
According to ComicVine, the Celestials accelerated the evolution of a handful of subjects and gave them the genetic potential to mentally manipulate limited quantities of cosmic energy, as well as other superhuman traits.
The story will focus on the female Eternal known as Sersi, (no, not the character on “Game of Thrones”), several insiders have told TheWrap.
“We have started working on what are the films post-phase 3,” Feige previously told TheWrap, referencing the forthcoming fourth part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s slate of movies after the wind-down of franchises based on the original Avengers.
Hayek Pinault’s recent credits include “How To Be a Latin Lover,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” and “Beatriz at Dinner,” which earned her an Indie Spirit Award nomination. Last year, Hayek Pinault along with her producing partner Jose “Pepe” Tamez inked a first-look deal with Lionsgate to produce films via her Ventanarosa production banner.
Hayek Pinault is repped by CAA, Management 360, and Bill Sobel, at Edelstein, Laird & Sobel.
Marvel had no comment.