Kumail Nanjiani has shared his experience with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, revealing that his superhero role did not unfold as he had hoped. After debuting in the 2021 film Eternals, Nanjiani expected a long-lasting involvement in the MCU, but four years later, he has yet to return. His reflections on these challenges have found a place in the final segment of his upcoming stand-up special.
Disappointment After the Release of Eternals
Nanjiani recounted the difficult aftermath of the film‘s premiere, which coincided with the post-COVID era. He expected anticipation but instead faced harsh criticism and disappointing box office results. He said,
I talk 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!’ But then it came out and it got really bad reviews,
and added,
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.’
Confirming the movie in question was Eternals, Nanjiani shared that his initial hopes were high, as his contract included multiple future projects. However, those plans fell through unexpectedly.
Unrealized Commitments with Marvel
The actor explained the scope of his involvement when signing on, which included six movies, a video game, and even a theme park attraction. He mentioned,
I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be my job for the next 10 years. I signed on for six movies. I signed on for a video game. I signed on for a theme park ride,
and continued,
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 series of disappointments led Nanjiani to reflect deeply on his self-esteem and how dependent it had become on audience and critical reactions. He shared,
But for me what really hit me was just realizing too much of my self esteem is tied up in other people’s reactions to my work. First of all, people have way bigger problems than this.
Humor Amidst Disillusionment
Mike Birbiglia, host of the podcast where Nanjiani opened up, joked, Not everyone‘s in Eternals. Nanjiani responded with laughter and added,
Honesty, too many people are though. There were a few too many people in Eternals, if the reviews are to be believed.
The large ensemble cast featured ten immortal characters played by Nanjiani alongside Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie, plus appearances by Kit Harington, Harry Styles, and Patton Oswalt. Despite the star-studded lineup, the film struggled to find critical or commercial success.
Eternals’ Box Office and Critical Performance
Eternals proved to be one of the MCU’s less successful entries, grossing $402 million worldwide and earning the third-lowest rating in the franchise’s history with 47 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Only Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Captain America: Brave New World share lower scores at 46 percent.
Still Proud Despite the Challenges
Though disappointed with the film’s reception and its effects on him personally, Nanjiani has expressed pride in his work. He described the experience as a “slam dunk” and shared that he
had the best time doing that movie.
However, the intense focus on reviews took a toll, as he acknowledged reading every critique and finding it difficult to separate his self-worth from others’ opinions.
He further explained,
It was really hard, and that was when I thought it was unfair to me and unfair to [my wife] Emily, and I can’t approach my work this way anymore. Some s— has to change, so I started counseling.
The Uncertain Future of the Eternals in Marvel’s Universe
Although the film concluded with a strong suggestion that The Eternals will return, there is currently no official sequel in development. Marvel’s upcoming Phase Six slate does not include an Eternals follow-up, nor are these characters expected in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige clarified in a 2024 interview,
There are no immediate plans for Eternals 2.
Impact and What Lies Ahead for Nanjiani and the MCU
Kumail Nanjiani’s experience highlights the unpredictability of franchise success, even within blockbuster universes like Marvel’s. His willingness to confront the emotional fallout openly may influence other actors navigating similar situations. As Marvel moves forward with its next phases and new characters, the future of the Eternals remains uncertain, while Nanjiani continues to shift focus toward personal growth and other projects beyond the MCU.
