Kumail Nanjiani's Expectations for the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Kumail Nanjiani has revealed he initially believed his Marvel Cinematic Universe commitment would span a decade and include multiple projects.
Early Assumptions and Plans
The Emmy-nominated actor, who portrayed Kingo in 2021’s Eternals, discussed his expectations on the Working It Out podcast. He said cast members were told the arrangement was “a ten-year thing,” and they approached the franchise thinking it would be a long-term engagement.
Nanjiani recalled that he signed on for six films, plus ancillary tie-ins such as a video game and a theme-park attraction. He imagined a regular rhythm of Marvel work interspersed with his own projects over the next decade.
The Reality of Eternals' Reception
When Eternals opened, however, the film received poor reviews and underperformed at the box office. Nanjiani said the fallout affected him deeply and prompted him to seek therapy to process the experience.
Changes in Marvel’s Strategy and Future Prospects
He also noted that Marvel’s approach evolved after Avengers: Endgame, changing the landscape for actors with multi-...