Kumail Nanjiani recently shared surprising details about his contract for Marvel’s 2021 film Eternals, revealing that it included commitments far beyond just the one movie. During a conversation with comedian Mike Birbiglia, Nanjiani disclosed that he had signed on for six films, a video game, and even a theme park ride linked to the franchise.
This revelation sheds light on Marvel’s approach to locking in talent for extended projects, signaling an expectation for characters like Nanjiani’s Kingo to remain prominent for years to come. Mentioning how the initial excitement turned to disappointment when much of the anticipated work didn’t materialize, Nanjiani described it as a shock to envision his career revolving around this role for a decade, only for that future to vanish.
Details of the Contract and the Impact of Eternals’ Reception
On Birbiglia’s podcast Working It Out, at around the 44-minute mark, Nanjiani explained that the final portion of his current stand-up act focuses largely on the fallout from being part of what he describes as a major movie that failed to meet expectations. Birbiglia joked about the film’s name, with Nanjiani acknowledging how Marvel’s contracts can be quite binding.
“I was like, this is going to be my job for the next ten years,”
Nanjiani said, reflecting on the commitment he originally anticipated.
“Because I signed on for six movies, I signed on for a video game, I signed on for a theme park ride. They make you sign up for all this stuff. And so you’re like, ‘This is the next ten years of my life.’ And then none of that happened.”
—Kumail Nanjiani
While he did not elaborate on the details of the theme park ride, the mention sparked some playful speculation, with Nanjiani joking about a hypothetical ride featuring a slow buildup and a sudden drop, highlighted by an unexplained cameo from Mahershala Ali’s character.
Reflecting on the Movie’s Mixed Legacy and Personal Response
The reception to Eternals took a toll on Nanjiani, as he has spoken previously about how it even led him to seek therapy. The focus on his physical transformation for the role also became an unexpected topic of headlines, overshadowing other aspects of his career. Now, he channels much of his experience into his stand-up, slated to be available on Hulu this December.
During the podcast, Nanjiani exchanged some light banter with Birbiglia about the film’s mixed reviews and star-studded ensemble.
“Honestly, too many people are—according to the reviews.”
—Kumail Nanjiani
This wry comment points to the surprising criticism the film received, despite its scale and high-profile cast, including names like Chloé Zhao as director and notable actors such as Mahershala Ali and Mandy Moore.
The Future of Marvel’s Eternals and Nanjiani’s Career
Although Eternals concluded with a message suggesting the story would continue, the expected sequels and spin-offs have yet to materialize for Nanjiani. His contract’s expansive scope hinted at Marvel’s early plans to build a lasting franchise around his character. The gap between those plans and reality underscores the unpredictable nature of big-budget superhero projects.
Kumail Nanjiani’s reflections highlight both the opportunities and challenges of committing to a major studio’s long-term vision. His candidness adds a thoughtful perspective on what it means to be part of such an ambitious but ultimately uneven franchise rollout.
