Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” is back in the news again this week.
The other day, the film’s director, Chloe Zhao, spoke about how her work on the ensemble superhero film impacted and informed her work on her next feature, “Hamnet”.
Now, one of the film’s stars, Kumail Nanjiani, has revealed that he, and likely quite a few of the other actors, initially signed up for six movies when he made his deal to play Kingo.
The comedian famously got gym-shredded for the role and has consistently kept that physique in the years since, but so far Marvel has given zero indications of bringing back any of the characters in live-action – even as the MCU has acknowledged the events of the film.
Speaking with Mike Birbiglia on his podcast, Nanjiani explained how the role ultimately sent him to therapy:
“It came out right after COVID, so I had a year and a half at home to be just like, ‘When this thing comes out. It came out, received really bad reviews, and didn’t do well. It shattered me too much. That was when I was like, ‘Oh, I need to go to therapy to figure this out.’
I was like, ‘This is going to be my job for the next ten years.’ 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 on for all this stuff. You’re like, ‘Okay, so I’ll be doing Marvel movies every year, and in between, I’ll do my own little things. Whatever I want to do.’
None of that happened. For me, what really hit me was realising that too much of my self-esteem is wrapped up in other people’s reactions to my work. People have way bigger problems than this.”
Looking back on the role, he said, “There were a few too many people in Eternals if the reviews are to be believed. I loved the movie. I’m very proud of it.” Nanjiani did reprise his role for an episode of “What If…?” alongside Kathryn Hahn, and more recently has been linked to potentially playing Booster Gold.
