
In a startling revelation that has sent ripples through the film industry, internal documents have exposed that Marvel Studios significantly scaled back the budget for Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao's Eternals immediately following her historic Academy Award victory.
The decision, detailed in a new book by Maggie O'Farrell, shows that the Disney-owned superhero powerhouse moved to curtail the film's financial resources even as Zhao was riding high on the critical and commercial success of Nomadland, which earned her the Best Director Oscar—making her only the second woman ever to win the award.
A Shift in Strategy
The budget reduction marks a significant moment in the relationship between acclaimed independent filmmakers and major studio tentpole productions. Zhao, celebrated for her naturalistic and sweeping visual style, had initially been granted considerable resources to bring her unique vision to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, the internal correspondence suggests a swift change in strategy from Marvel executives after her Oscar win, potentially indicating concerns over ballooning costs or a desire to exert more control over the final product.
The Bigger Picture
This disclosure raises pertinent questions about the creative freedoms afforded to award-winning directors within the blockbuster machine. It highlights the constant tension between artistic vision and the commercial imperatives that drive franchise filmmaking.
The episode serves as a fascinating case study in how Hollywood's most powerful studios manage their relationships with critically lauded talent, especially when those filmmakers transition from intimate independents to billion-dollar franchises.