ETERNALS Director Chloé Zhao Explains Decision To Reference DC Characters In The Marvel Studios Movie

Recently, a clip was released from Marvel Studios' Eternals showing Phastos' son mistaking Ikaris for Superman (mostly because of the beams he shoots from his eyes). While we know that Superman: The Movie and filmmaker Richard Donner were a huge influence on Kevin Feige's career, it was still surprising to hear DC characters referenced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! 

Talking to ComicBook.com, Eternals director Chloé Zhao revealed why she chose to drop a Superman nod in the Marvel Studios blockbuster. 

"I take some responsibility for that," the filmmaker admitted. "I think we're in the business of telling stories about mythology, and Superman, for example, comes from origin of mythology. In many different cultures, there's a form of Superman. And the people that created Superman and the brilliant filmmakers [who] brought Superman to screen, their movies are basically, in my opinion, doing a modern interpretation of that mythology."

Zhao points out that Richard Madden's Ikaris is essentially "[Marvel's] interpretation of that mythology," adding: "It doesn't mean we can't pay tribute and have a good time with these iconic ones that we all love to so much. I mean, who doesn't love Superman and Batman? Clearly our Eternals like them."

Does that mean we're getting a nod to Batman as well? It certainly sounds like a possibility, though we're not sure which member of the team could be compared to DC's Dark Knight! Regardless, it's great to see the MCU reference the Distinguished Competition, especially in a fun way like this (rather than taking shots at the characters or belittling them, for example). 

Eternals will be released exclusively in theaters on November 5.