‍ ⁢ Kumail Nanjiani disclosed that he initially⁤ agreed​ to ‌a six-movie contract with Marvel Studios when⁣ he⁤ was cast as Kingo in 2021’s
⁤
“Eternals”, but the⁤ film’s underwhelming reception significantly impacted him, leading him to begin therapy.
‍ ​ ‌ Nanjiani shared this details⁤ during an appearance on comedian Mike Birbiglia’s
‍
“Working It Out” podcast on July 26, 2023.

⁣ ⁤ He⁤ indicated that his ⁤experiences with “Eternals”⁤ will be a central‌ theme in his upcoming stand-up special, scheduled for release on Hulu later in‍ 2023. Nanjiani described the film’s failure ‍as “shattering,” according to Variety.

Background: ‘Eternals’ and Marvel’s Phase Four

‌ “Eternals,” directed by Chloé‍ zhao, represented a significant ⁤expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), introducing a new⁣ team of immortal beings tasked with protecting Earth. The film⁣ featured an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard ⁤Madden, Angelina Jolie, and Salma Hayek, alongside Nanjiani.
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‌ ‌ Released on November 5, 2021, “eternals” garnered mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office ⁣compared to​ other MCU installments. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed approximately $402.1 ‌million‍ worldwide against a reported production budget of $200 million.

“Eternals” was part of Marvel’s Phase Four, a period of transition following the ‌culmination of the “Infinity Saga.” ⁣Phase Four films, including “Eternals,” have generally ‍exhibited more diverse storytelling and character introductions, but have ‌also faced increased scrutiny regarding consistency and overall‍ quality.

Nanjiani’s Career and⁤ Previous Work

Kumail Nanjiani is⁢ a​ Pakistani-American comedian, actor, and writer. He gained prominence for his role in the 2017⁢ romantic comedy ‍ “The​ Big Sick”, which ⁤he co-wrote ​and starred in,‍ receiving an Academy Award⁤ nomination for Best ⁤Original Screenplay.

Prior to “Eternals,” Nanjiani was known for his work on ⁤the HBO comedy series “Silicon Valley” (2014-2019) and his stand-up⁤ comedy performances. He has also appeared in ‌films ‌such as “Stuber” (2019)​ and “Men in Black: International” (2019).

impact ⁣of‍ ‘Eternals’ Reception

The mixed reception to “Eternals” prompted ⁢discussions within the MCU fanbase and among‌ critics regarding ‍the direction of the franchise. Some criticized the‌ film’s length,pacing,and complex narrative,while others‌ praised⁣ its ambition ⁣and diverse representation.

⁢ ⁢ The film’s performance ​raised questions about the future of certain ‍characters and storylines ⁣within the ⁣MCU. As ⁢of‍ July 28, 2023, Marvel Studios has not announced any concrete plans for​ a direct sequel to⁤ “Eternals,” ‌though Kevin Feige,⁢ President of‌ Marvel Studios, has indicated the characters could reappear‍ in future projects.