Salma Hayek is making her Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut this fall in “Eternals” alongside Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and more — but she almost did not take the job.
Hayek told Entertainment Weekly that when Marvel first called the Oscar-nominated actress to discuss the project, she initially assumed that they wanted her to play an older, grandma-type supporting role.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Hayek soon learned that Zhao personally selected her to play Ajak, one of the most important members of the Eternals and a character originally intended for a man.
When news of the “Frida” star’s casting in the movie broke, she took to Instagram to share the good news.
“I’m so excited to join the Marvel family as Ajak, the mother of all Eternals,” she wrote. “It used to be the father of all Eternals, but girls … this is OUR time!!!!”
Hayek, a Mexican-American actress, wasn’t the only diverse casting choice. The masculine, burly, blonde speedster Makkari is being played by hearing-impaired actress and “The Walking Dead” alum Lauren Ridloff.
“The Eternals” is set to be the first movie in Phase Four of the MCU and is scheduled to premiere in theaters Nov. 5.
