Chloé Zhao's Next Chapter: From Cosmic Heroes to Shakespeare's Unsung Muse—And Maybe Even Buffy?

Chloé Zhao, a filmmaker whose name has become synonymous with a particular brand of poignant, character-driven storytelling, is now reportedly setting her sights on a project that, for once, feels perfectly, exquisitely aligned with her sensibilities: 'Hamnet'. Yes, that 'Hamnet'—Maggie O'Farrell’s hauntingly beautiful novel about the unsung figures in William Shakespeare’s life. And honestly, it’s quite the pivot, yet somehow, not entirely surprising for her.

The story, in truth, isn't really 'about' Shakespeare himself, not in the way you might imagine. Oh no. It delves deep into the often-overlooked world of his wife, Agnes Hathaway—or Anne, as she's often called in the novel—and the tragic, profound loss of their young son, Hamnet. It’s a tale steeped in empathy, you could say, exploring grief and love through a fiercely original lens, giving voice to a woman who, history tells us, was largely relegated to the shadows of a literary giant.

One can't help but see a through-line, a shared heartbeat, between 'Hamnet' and Zhao's earlier, critically lauded works like 'Nomadland' or 'The Rider'. She has, after all, consistently gravitated towards narratives that amplify voices often relegated to the periphery, giving them space, dignity, and undeniable humanity. Her films tend to linger, to breathe, allowing characters to unfold organically against vast, sometimes challenging, backdrops.

But then, for all her quiet, introspective triumphs, there was 'Eternals'—a giant leap, you might call it, into the sprawling, often cacophonous Marvel Cinematic Universe. A different beast entirely, perhaps, yet even there, she sought to infuse epic scale with intimate character moments, trying to find the quiet corners within the bombast. Not an easy feat, honestly, but a testament to her unique directorial ambition, her willingness to explore the unexpected.

And speaking of unexpected turns, or perhaps, lingering dreams, Zhao recently let slip a rather delightful confession: she’s keen on tackling 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Not the idea of a whole new reboot, mind you, but a revisiting of the original characters, if Joss Whedon were to ever, well, grant permission. Imagine that! It underscores, I think, her deep appreciation for rich character arcs, for stories that blend the fantastical with the deeply human—a hallmark of that iconic series, after all.

So, from the sweeping vistas of the American West, to the cosmic expanse of space, to the intimate, forgotten corners of Shakespearean England, and even, potentially, the demon-infested halls of Sunnydale High—Chloé Zhao’s trajectory is nothing if not fascinating. She’s a director, you see, who isn’t afraid to leap, to challenge herself, and, most importantly, to find the human heart beating beneath every grand narrative. And for that, we honestly can't wait to see what she does next.