Chloé Zhao has booked one hell of a follow-up to indie darling “The Rider.” Variety confirms the Cannes award-winning director will next helm “The Eternals” for Marvel. Zhao has been high in demand ever since “The Rider” made its critically-acclaimed festival circuit rounds, and “has since been eyed for directing assignments on several major studio films.” According to the source, “Zhao’s meeting with Marvel execs impressed so much that the studio moved fast to book her before she landed another job.”

Created by Jack Kirby, “The Eternals” begins millions of years ago when cosmic beings known as Celestials genetically experimented on humans. This led to the birth of “super-powered individuals as well as more villainous off-shoots known as the Deviants.” The super-powered folks, the Eternals, and the Deviants faced off throughout history as both fought to become the universe’s ultimate race.

Matthew and Ryan Firpo are writing “The Eternals” and Marvel prez Kevin Feige is producing.

Opening in March, “Captain Marvel” will be the first female-driven Marvel film as well as the first to be directed by a woman. Brie Larson stars as the superheroine/”renegade soldier.” Anna Boden co-directed the pic with Ryan Fleck (“Mississippi Grind,” “Half Nelson”). Marvel’s upcoming standalone Black Widow pic will be helmed by Cate Shortland (“Berlin Syndrome”).

Zhao won Film Independent’s inaugural Bonnie Award. “The Rider” nabbed her nods for Best Director and Best Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards this year. Zhao made her feature directorial debut with “Songs My Brothers Taught Me.”

When we asked Zhao for her advice for fellow women directors ahead of “The Rider’s” Cannes premiere, she said, “Follow your gut instinct. It may not always be right, but it’s what makes your work unique.”