The Truth About Salma Hayek And Angelina Jolie's Friendship
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for bringing beloved superheroes together, and the MCU made headlines when it brought mega-star actors Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie together for the first time on-screen. Jolie was cast as Thena, and Hayek as Ajak in 2021's "Eternals," and the pair were a formidable off-screen duo as they became fast friends. "I discovered a soul sister who is similar to me in so many ways," Hayek told Elle in 2021 while speaking about her "Eternals" co-star. "I felt like I'd known her for my entire life," she added. Their characters were closely linked to Gemma Chan's Sersi and Lauren Ridloff's Makkari, but the veteran actors formed an especially close bond. "I got to know [Jolie] a little better than everyone else, and it's very precious to me," Hayek said.
A sense of camaraderie was built for the entire crew, as they hung out often in-between filming. The "Desperado" star's birthday fell during shooting, and her agent whipped together an impromptu party after filming wrapped. Jolie was shocked to learn that it was her job to push Hayek's face into the birthday cake as she blew out the candles. "We told her that I was going to bite and that the tradition was [to push my head in the cake], and she said, 'Oh no, no I cannot do that,'" Hayek recalled while appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in 2021.
Once they worked together, Hayek and Jolie found out they had a lot in common.
Why Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie bonded so quickly
In addition to sharing impressive filmographies, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie both possessed headstrong qualities in common that extended to their "Eternals" characters. Leading up to the film's release in 2021, the Hollywood A-listers were asked who was the more spirited of the pair. "We have different style ... but we're both feisty," Hayek told Extra, as Jolie agreed.
Although the pair headlined the Marvel movie, they did not feel pressured into a friendship. According to Hayek, the two actors have a mutual friend outside of Hollywood who knew the two would hit it off. "We didn't force it, it was something that was organic," the "Everly" star told Access in 2021. Hayek believed timing had a lot to do with her connection to Jolie. "We're both at the time of our lives that we want real, we want meaningful, we want simple, we want joyful," she said.
Jolie echoed Hayek's sentiments about working together at the right time, but perhaps the most important element of their friendship involved parenthood, as both are devout mothers and recognized that quality in each other. "Salma is so honest, and authentic, and a great mother," the "Wanted" star told Access. "And our kids are the same age so that makes it also fun," Jolie added. Those similarities opened the door for Hayek and Jolie to continue their friendship long after working together.
How they continued their friendship
Not only did Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie hit it off on their first film together, but the connection between the two A-listers seemed to extend to their kids. Once filming wrapped on "Eternals," the friendship between the two actors continued. They were spotted out together in October 2021, and Jolie brought a few of her six kids while Hayek was accompanied by her own daughter, Valentina Pinault. Photographers captured snaps of the "Like A Boss" star's daughter laughing with Jolie's daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, per Hola!
After "Eternals" was released, Hayek and Jolie continued to spend time together not only to promote the film, but also to hang out as pals. In November 2021, Hayek uploaded a candid group photo to Instagram that included her "The Hitman's Bodyguard" co-star, Samuel Jackson, along with a gang of the crew from her Marvel flick.
Jolie and Hayek clearly enjoyed working together, as on June 9 it was announced that the "Those Who Wish Me Dead" star would be directing her friend in the upcoming movie "Without Blood," per Variety. After the news was announced, Hayek took to Instagram to gush over her co-worker. "It's a dream come true to be directed by @AngelinaJolie. I have been a fan of her work as a filmmaker for many years," she wrote while including a screenshot of a headline announcing the news.