LIA MCHUGH
about her role in
Marvel film
ETERNALS
Stylist Blair Cannon
Like the role she portrays in Marvel’s Eternals, Lia McHugh’s life experience doesn’t match her outward appearance. Eternals is Marvel’s newest addition to their cinematic universe, with the “Eternals” being a group sent to Earth by the Celestials around 7,000 years before the film’s storyline unfolds to defend humans against monsters known as the Deviants. McHugh plays Sprite, a member of the Eternals who struggles with being perceived as a child despite her having centuries of life experience. Like Sprite, McHugh has a lot more experience than her young appearance would suggest- she is a resident scream queen in the horror genre as she has held roles in A Haunting, Totem, Along Came the Devil, The Lodge, and Into the Dark among others and will star in A House on the Bayou premiering November 19, 2021. McHugh’s role as Sprite proves, however, that she’s certainly not one to be pigeonholed. With Marvel being as beloved as it is, many actors note the moment they found out they booked the role. Lia McHugh tells us about that special moment, shares her experience bonding with the Eternals cast, and recounts her favorite moments on set!
Shirt, dress, scarf: Longchamp, Earrings & rings: Made by Mary
You come from an acting family with your siblings also being in the industry, what do you think you all have in common personality-wise that make you all attracted to the industry?
We all started out with local Atlanta musical theater and there’s just something about being in front of a crowd that I think we were all drawn to. It all happened very naturally; someone scouted me, and I started auditioning, and the more you do it, the hungrier you get to book something. I think my siblings saw that in me and that’s what made them want to pursue the same thing. My little brother Gavin just lights up when he’s on set, he loves it so much. There’s something about being a character that’s so much fun to create, and it’s a really exciting feeling when you’re in the middle of it.
Dress, coat, leggings: R13, Sneakers: Nike, Socks: Tabio, Earrings: Made by Mary
Many of your past projects have been in the horror genre from A Haunting and Totem to Along Came the Devil, The Lodge, and Into the Dark. You are also set to star in A House on the Bayou. In the horror genre, you are often trying to evoke fear in viewers; what emotions do you enjoy portraying the most?
I never choose movies specifically for genre, but I love portraying characters that struggle with emotional turmoil or have deeper feelings that can challenge me to portray. I like making the audience feel something and maybe that involves fear or sadness or anger, but I think it really just comes down to the character having a deeper meaning.
Other than acting, what are some of your passions?
Well acting is a very big passion of mine, but when I’m not acting I actually like to draw. I like to write, I like to ride horses, but unfortunately, a lot of the time, I don’t often get to do a lot of the things that I love because I happily sacrifice a lot for acting and being able to be in these movies.
Shifting to your recent major role as Sprite in Marvel’s Eternals, first, I just want to congratulate you, life must feel so surreal right now for you! Can you tell us a little bit about the audition process for the film, and your reaction when you found out that you got the role?
I was just a kid in LA working really, really hard, and this audition came along, and I knew it was for Marvel, but I didn’t know what it was for. I went in to do the audition and the breakdown had said the character had dark eyes and dark hair and when I went in, I was like, “oh I’m willing to dye my hair or wear contacts.” The casting director laughed at me and was like, “that has nothing to do with this, these are dummy sides” and I was like “oh that’s kind of a relief!” Then I had a call back and a screen test in LA. That was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been in my whole life; I barely remember it because I was freaking myself out so much! Then they asked me to go to London to read with Richard Madden at Pinewood for a screen test and then a couple of weeks later my mom got the call. She was so excited she accidentally hung up the phone. They called right back, and she came rushing into my room and woke me up. I really thought that I was dreaming. My dad came in and thought that something terrible had happened because we were crying, and we told him and then he started sobbing too! It was probably one of the most emotional moments of my life. I was feeling so many different things but mostly how insanely excited I was and how ridiculous it was that I was going to be a superhero!
Was there any scene or stunt that was your favorite to film?
There was a group scene that we all did together that sticks out to me. I really enjoyed the scenes where all 10 of us were together because it just really gave us a chance to get to know each other. We were in an Aztec temple, and I have a lot of videos from that day because it was just so much fun! We talked all day for 10+ hours shooting the scene and I just remember having the best time with everyone.
Shirt, sweater, skirt: Valentino, Boots: Jimmy Choo
Marvel clearly has a huge following; did it make you less nervous knowing that there would already be such massive support for the film or were you more nervous since the film is so highly anticipated?
A little bit of both, I guess. It is nice to know that people will go see the movie because they have such a big fan base. But I feel being a new superhero, it does put pressure on me because there are high expectations for my character.
Eternals is directed by Chloé Zhao, a critically acclaimed director. Is there anything that you learned from her that you will take with you in your next acting projects?
Chloe is one of the most hard-working directors that I’ve ever worked with. She almost never slept; she spent so much time working on these characters and us together as a whole. You can really tell how much she cared about the movie when you see it!
You filmed a part of Eternals in the Canary Islands. Any fun memories you can share from filming there?
What’s really fun about being on location is most of the time, all of the actors will stay in the same hotel and it’s basically like a big sleepover! Every time someone went down for lunch or dinner, they’d invite someone else, and we were always hanging out and always together and I think the Canary Islands was one of the times where we bonded the most as a group.
If you could live forever in one imagined universe, what would that universe look like for you?
If I could live in one universe, I would live in the Harry Potter books! They’re one of my favorite book series and it seems like it would be a lot of fun to live that life.
Dress & collar: Angel Chen, Socks: Tabio, Earrings: Mejuri
You’ve said in previous interviews that you relate to Sprite by looking younger than your age. In the film, Sprite struggles with being treated like a child compared to the other Eternals. As you are likely often one of the youngest on set in majority adult environments, can you relate to this feeling in any way?
I think working with adults has definitely brought up my work ethic and my maturity because I’ve had such high standards to live up to. I’ve been fortunate that in projects that I’ve worked on I have felt very equal to the other adult actors. Especially in Eternals, it really felt like I was an adult hanging out with people the same age as me which was really nice, and I was able to really relax on set and just have such a good time that I feel I was able to perform better!
What can we look forward to next from you?
I have some exciting things in the works that I cannot wait to share when I can. As far as another Marvel movie, they really don’t tell me anything, but I would be thrilled to hear about something more!
Dress, coat, leggings: R13, Sneakers: Nike, Socks: Tabio, Earrings: Made by Mary
Coat, tie, hat: Annakiki, Loafers: Repetto, Socks: Tabio, Earrings: Made by Mary
Photography
Allegra Messina
Interview
Tessa Swantek
Stylist
Blair Cannon
Casting & CD
Deborah Ferguson
Makeup
Rachel Goodwin @ A-Frame Agency
Hair
Jenny Cho @ A-Frame Agency
Web Layout
Tori Smith
Thank you
Imprint PR & Disney
