Marvel Studios’Eternalswas released in theatres early last month, after facing several delays due to the ongoing pandemic. The film was initially meant to release in November 2020 and would have helped launch Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, it suffered a year-long delay. But, director Chloe Zhao has now revealed that a live audience did get to see the film on the big screen back in August 2020.
On her official Instagram account, Zhao shared a throwback photo from the test screening ofEternals, which was evidently held in a parking lot. At the time, many countries had imposed strict lockdowns, and so an indoor screening at a theatre would not have been allowed. Turns out thattheEternalsteamset up their own makeshift theatre and screened the film for a live audience to experience.
RELATED:Eternals Star Harry Styles Says He’s ‘Grateful’ For First Marvel Role
In the image shared by Zhao, a large screen, several seats, and spotlights are set up in an outdoor setting. Upon looking closely, the parking spots are clearly visible, and some buildings also loom in the background. Zhao revealed that the parking lot was “right off the highway,” and the audience had towatchEternalsfor the first timeamid “traffic noise, helicopters, and mosquitos.”
Despite the circumstances that the premiere was held in, Zhao confesses to having a “great time,” mostly because they were able to have an audience watch the film on a big screen. Of course, this is beforethe Marvel Studios film’s release was pushedby a whole year, something that the studio would not have anticipated. Test screenings for films are usually held not too long before the actual premiere, and it is a way for the studio to gauge the audience’s reaction.
Unfortunately, in the case ofEternals, the test screening was held more than a year before the rest of the world got to meet thelatest heroes to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite the gap, Zhao is grateful that her film has finally reached the masses, and thanked all the theatre workers for “keeping our shared storytelling space open and safe.”
