Kumail Nanjiani has recently shared surprising details about his Marvel contract, particularly concerning his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The 47-year-old actor made his MCU debut as Kingo in “Eternals,” but following the film’s disappointing box office performance, the future of his character—and his involvement with Marvel—has been uncertain.
Initially, Nanjiani expected a long-term partnership with Marvel, a plan that drastically changed after “Eternals” failed to meet expectations. He is now opening up about the extent of his original contract, which included multiple projects beyond the first movie.
Initial Expectations Versus Reality of MCU Involvement
Discussing his experience on Mike Birbiglia’s “Working It Out” podcast, Kumail revealed that he had high hopes for his career with Marvel.
“I talked about how I was in this big movie. It came out right after COVID, so I had a year and a half at home to just be like, ‘Oh, when this thing comes out!’”
he said.
However, when “Eternals” was released, it faced critical backlash and underwhelming box office results, which deeply affected Nanjiani.
“But then it came out and it got really bad reviews and it didn’t do that well. It shattered me too much. That’s when I was like, ‘Oh I need to go to therapy to figure this out,’”
he added.
Details of a Multi-Project Commitment That Didn’t Pan Out
Before the fallout, Kumail had signed a contract with extensive commitments.
“I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be my job for the next 10 years,’”
Nanjiani explained.
“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 you’re like, ‘This is the next 10 years of my life, so I’ll be doing Marvel movies every year and, in between, I’ll do my own little things, whatever I want to do.’ And then none of that happened.”
This extensive contract reflected Marvel’s initial confidence in the “Eternals” franchise and its characters, including Kingo. However, the projected plans have stalled significantly since the film’s disappointing reception.
Other Cast Members and Franchise Uncertainties
Salma Hayek, who portrayed Ajak in “Eternals,” also reportedly signed a multi-film deal with Marvel, indicating the studio’s early vision for expanding the storylines of these characters. Meanwhile, Kumail’s co-star, Patton Oswalt, hinted at a possible sequel back in August 2022. Despite this, no sequel or continuation has materialized, as Marvel shifted its production focus and altered its plans for future releases.
Marvel’s Changing Landscape and Future Prospects
The “Eternals” experience underscores the unpredictable nature of the film industry and franchise commitments, particularly within the MCU’s evolving lineup. Kumail Nanjiani’s candid reflections provide insight into the impact of a film’s reception on an actor’s career trajectory and contractual engagement.
As Marvel moves forward with new projects and focuses on other characters, the once-promised ten-year journey for Kingo and other “Eternals” heroes remains uncertain. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see if these characters eventually receive renewed attention in the MCU storyline.
