Salma Hayek makes her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe later this year, when she plays Ajak in The Eternals, a role she literally knew nothing about going to.
The 54-year-old actress is no stranger to the action, having starred in Desperado, Wild Wild West and other big-budget action films, but this is her first foray into the realm of superheroes.
While discussing her new film, Bliss, which opens on Friday on Amazon Prime, Hayek told Variety that a friend prepared her for the role.
Marvel Premiere: Salma Hayek makes her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe later this year, when she plays Ajak in The Eternals, a role she literally didn’t know how to go about.
Marvel ready: while discussing her new film Bliss, which opens Friday on Amazon Prime, Hayek told Variety that she had a friend who prepared her for the role
‘I didn’t know anything about this. I am very lucky. I have a Mexican friend and she is a woman, who is the greatest Marvel nerd you can imagine, ‘said Hayek.
She finally admitted to Marvel that she had no idea who the Eternals were, and then, ‘they explained everything to me.’
Unfortunately, when she came on board to play Ajak, she had to do it in complete secrecy, so much so that they wouldn’t even let her read the script before signing the contract.
Lucky: ‘I didn’t know anything about this. I am very lucky. I have a Mexican friend and she is a woman, who is the greatest Marvel geek you can imagine, ‘said Hayek
“They explained the script to me. They didn’t give me the script. I had to sign the contract without reading the script. They didn’t let me see the script until I signed. That was very disturbing, “she added,
When asked if she left out if she didn’t like the script, Hayek said she didn’t care, because she was more excited to work with the director, Chloe Zhao, who has just been 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, ‘said Hayek.
Contract: ‘They explained the script to me. They didn’t give me the script. I had to sign the contract without reading the script. They didn’t let me see the script until I signed. That was very disturbing, “she added
She added that she also liked the fact that Ajak was, ‘kind of the leader’, plus the, ‘only one who can speak to the Celestials’, referring to the ancient beings who secretly lived on Earth for more than 7,000 years in the comics of Marvel .
Although she added that she longed to be ‘bossy’ and ‘tell people what to do’, she was also ‘afraid of clothes’.
‘I am claustrophobic. I was too scared to feel that I couldn’t move. It has a completely different DNA than (other Marvel movies), ‘she clarified.
Bossy: although she added that she longed to be “bossy” and “tell people what to do”, she was also “afraid of clothes”
Hayek also added that The Eternals is ‘filmed differently’ from other MCU films, using ‘real locations’, including some ‘crazy extraterrestrial-looking locations’.
She also hinted that they do something different with the camera, adding, ‘it’s not done mainly in post’ and the cinematography is incredible. ‘
Hayek added that he was ‘powerful’ and really ‘moved’ to become a superhero at 54, especially when she was told that she would have no career.
They told me [early in Hayek’s career], “It will never happen to you here.” I am representing. It’s not because I’m wearing an outfit, but we have a right to be superheroes today. I’m 54 too. So there was something really moving, not just for me, but for everything, all the different stereotypes. She is not sexy. Do you know what I’m saying? She is not sexy at all. I’m very short. I was intimidated by being under my whole life. And suddenly, it doesn’t matter. You are a superhero in the Marvel universe. It touched me, ‘she added.
Different: Hayek also added that The Eternals is ‘filmed differently’ from other MCU films, using ‘real locations’, including some ‘crazy extraterrestrial-looking locations.’