Salma Hayek makes her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe later this year when she portrays Ajak in The Eternals, a role she knew literally nothing about going in.
The 54-year-old actress is no stranger to action, having starred in Desperado, Wild Wild West and other big-budget action films, but this is her first foray into the superhero realm.
While discussing her new movie Bliss, which debuts Friday on Amazon Prime, Hayek told Variety that she had a friend get her ready for the role.
Marvel debut: Salma Hayek makes her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe later this year when she portrays Ajak in The Eternals, a role she knew literally nothing about going in
Marvel ready: While discussing her new movie Bliss, which debuts Friday on Amazon Prime, Hayek told Variety that she had a friend get her ready for the role
‘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,’ Hayek said.
She ultimately admitted to Marvel that she had no idea who the Eternals were, and then, ‘they explained everything to me.’
Unfortunately, when she came aboard to play Ajak, she had to do so in total secrecy, so much so that they wouldn’t even let her read the script before signing on.
Lucky: ‘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,’ Hayek said
‘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,’ she added,
When asked if she left herself an ‘out’ if she didn’t like the script, Hayek said she didn’t care, because she was more excited about working with the director, Chloe Zhao, who was just nominated for a Golden Globe for her film Nomadland.
‘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,’ Hayek said.
Contract: ‘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,’ she added
She added that she also enjoyed that Ajak is, ‘kind of the leader,’ plus the, ‘only one that can talk to the Celestials,’ referring to the ancient beings who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7,000 years in the Marvel Comics.
While she added that she was looking forward to being ‘bossy’ and ‘telling people what to do,’ she was also ‘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),’ she clarified.
Bossy: While she added that she was looking forward to being ‘bossy’ and ‘telling people what to do,’ she was also ‘afraid of the outfit’
Hayek also added that The Eternals is ‘shot different’ from the other MCU movies, utilizing ‘real locations’ including some ‘crazy extraterrestrial-looking locations.’
She also hinted that they do something different with the camera, adding, ‘it’s not mostly done in post’ and the cinematography is incredible.’
Hayek added it was ’empowering’ and it really ‘moved’ her to become a superhero at age 54, especially when she was told she wouldn’t have a career at all.
They told me [early in Hayek’s career], “It’s never going to happen for you here.” I am representing. It’s not because I’m putting on an outfit but we get the right to be superheroes today. I’m also 54. So there was something really moving, not just for me, but for everything, all the different stereotypes. She’s not sexy. You know what I’m saying? She’s not sexy at all. I’m very short. I’ve been bullied for being short my entire life. And suddenly, it doesn’t matter. You’re a superhero in the Marvel universe. It moved me,’ she added.
Different: Hayek also added that The Eternals is ‘shot different’ from the other MCU movies, utilizing ‘real locations’ including some ‘crazy extraterrestrial-looking locations.’