Kumail Nanjiani has shed light on just how ambitious Marvel’s original plans were for his Eternals character, Kingo. Speaking on the Working It Out podcast, Nanjiani revealed that when he first signed his contract with Marvel Studios, it wasn’t just for one film. In fact, he was told to expect six movies, a video game, and even a theme park ride. “I thought this was going to be my job for the next decade,” he admitted, recalling how he imagined a steady run of Marvel projects with the occasional personal side project. 
“And then none of that happened.”
The revelation highlights just how much Marvel once banked on Eternals being its next big franchise. The studio reportedly saw the film as a cornerstone for the future of the MCU, but its lukewarm reception from critics and audiences in 2021 quickly stalled those dreams. Despite an impressive global opening, box office momentum collapsed, and the project was widely considered over-ambitious. While comedian Patton Oswalt hinted at a possible sequel in 2022, the silence since then suggests those plans are firmly shelved.
Nanjiani has been candid about how the disappointment affected him. In earlier interviews, he described how he hyped himself up for success and genuinely believed the film’s sweeping story and visuals would connect with audiences. Instead, the mixed reviews left him devastated. “It was really hard,” he explained. “Unfair to me, unfair to my wife. I realized I couldn’t approach work this way anymore.” He even turned to counseling to process the fallout, a rare admission of vulnerability in Hollywood.
As for the film itself, Eternals continues to divide fans. Some consider it the MCU’s lowest point, criticizing its pacing, disconnected story, and forgettable villain. Others argue it was misunderstood, pointing to its grand visuals and themes, suggesting it might have worked better as a long-form Disney+ series rather than a crowded two-and-a-half-hour movie. Many fans still say the film’s strongest elements – its cinematography, diverse cast, and mythic scope – deserved more breathing room. And even today, some hold out hope for characters like Kit Harington’s Black Knight to resurface in future projects.
Whether Marvel ever revisits the Eternals remains unclear. But Nanjiani’s comments underline the volatility of modern franchise filmmaking: one moment you’re promised a decade-long ride, and the next, the entire plan disappears overnight.
3 comments
worst marvel movie ever, only thing i liked was blade tease at the end
idc what ppl say, i really enjoyed eternals. that final battle was sick af
so kumail needed therapy cuz ppl didnt like his movie?? bruh 🤡