Some actors and actresses have looked down on taking on any role in a comic book film for as long as they have existed, dismissing the material as throwaway children’s entertainment. However, with the emergence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Films, and other franchises, more of Hollywood’s top actors are signing on to such projects than ever before. Angelina Jolie, who will play Thena in Eternals, is one of the most recent celebrities to join the comic book movie revival.

Jolie is one of the most well-known, talented, decorated, and successful actors of the twenty-first century, having starred in a slew of box office hits and amassing a trophy cabinet brimming with awards, including an Academy Award and three Golden Globes, so she’s exactly the type of star who would draw the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s attention.

The next Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 film, directed by Chloé Zhao, will bring a new superhero squad to the franchise. It has the ability to upend the power structure, as well as its known history, given that the Eternals are said to have existed for millennia.

Eternals will tell the story of a race of immortal aliens that have been living on Earth for over 7000 years in secrecy. These ancient giants are compelled to reunite in order to safeguard humanity against the Deviants, a humanoid species.

Angelina Jolie said she joined the project because of director Chloé Zhao’s “vision” and the film’s aim on broadening how superheroes are perceived in a recent Vogue interview.

She also wanted to be a member of a multicultural family.

“This was the real reason I wanted to make the film. It was to be part of such a diverse family, and it really didn’t matter to me what the size of the role would be.”

Eternals, from Marvel Studios, has the most culturally diversified ensemble cast. The cast reflects the franchise’s future, which includes Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Falcon as the new Captain America, the Black Panther sequel’s further exploration of Wakanda, Brie Larson bringing Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau in The Marvels, and most recently, the introduction of Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi in The Marvels.

Jolie revealed why she chose to team up with Hollywood’s biggest player, especially since Eternals is just her sixth live-action feature performance in over a decade.

“What surprised me the most about joining the MCU and working with Chloé was how grounded she was. The first time the cast met, she was barefoot and sat on the floor. It was through this first meeting that we discovered that we perceived ourselves as geeks and misfits, so that connected us all and added another layer to the story of Eternals. It was our quirks and differences that became our superpowers. Chloé is the great equalizer. Even though this was a massive, star-studded cast she was working with, she treated us with the same amount of attention and care.”

The main narrative, will take place after the events of Avengers: Endgame.  Joining Jolie are Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Gemma Chan as Sersi, and Kit Harington as Black Knight, along with several others.

“I love this cast, and that we all came together. I signed up to support Chloé [Zhao]’s vision and Marvel’s commitment to expand the way we see ‘superheroes,’” Jolie said. “Running around in a gold bodysuit was not how I imagined my forties. But it’s good crazy, I think.”

Eternals will be released in cinemas on November 5, 2021.