Were the haters of Eternals too harsh on the film’s cast? Kumail Nanjiani reveals how his experience with the MCU continues to affect his life.
Eternals is an odd duck when it comes to the MCU. In many ways, it was the first chip in the armor of a true cinematic titan. The film was far from a flop. However, the massive blowback from both critics and audiences, combined with a small return at the box office, as kept Marvel from touching the property for quite some time. The only cast member to return to their role in any significant way is Kumail Nanjiani, who appeared as Kingo in What If…?
Kumail Nanjiani has actually been the most outspoken of the cast when it comes to his experience working in the MCU. The actor reveals that Eternals bombing so publicly has had an impact on his mental health, a revelation that the internet has endlessly clowned on. The actor spoke about these complaints in his new comedy special Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts, remarking on how insane the backlash felt from his perspective.
“‘Oh, your big Hollywood movie didn’t do well? Are we supposed to feel sorry for you?’ No, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I don’t. But I get to feel sorry for me. This is my life. I’m inside of here. I worked really hard for a year on something that I thought was going to be awesome.”
“When it came out, everyone was like, ‘No, it sucks. Also, we think you’re stupid. Also, we’ve decided you’re gonna be the first person we mock for getting in shape.’ What? How the f*** did that happen? That’s happened to nobody else in the history of civilization.”
Kumail Nanjiani’s Marvel Physique
For those who didn’t keep up with the promotional cycle for Eternals, Kumail Nanjiani lost quite a bit of weight to prepare for his role in the MCU. At the time, the internet used his physique as an example of how all Marvel stars conform to a rigid body standard, with some claiming that his quick physical changes may be due to substance use. According to Nanjiani, these comments still affect his mindset, refusing to gain weight again and potentially prove them right.
“Why me? ‘Oh, he got abs? What a moron.’ What? Who changed the rules? Why didn’t anybody give me a heads-up? Do you know how hard this was? I have not smelled cake in years.”
“And now I know all of you are waiting for me to go back to how I was. Oh, it’ll make you so happy if I go back to how I was. So, now I’m stuck in this prison, ’cause I don’t want to give you the satisfaction.”
“There’s no reason for me to be buff anymore, but I am because f*** you. I’ll be doing pushups on my deathbed because f*** you. When I look at cake and want to eat it, I think of how happy it’ll make you if I eat it and that gives me the strength to not eat it.”
At the time, Eternals was seen as an anomaly. However, as public perception of franchises like the MCU continues to turn sour, it feels more and more as though Kumail Nanjiani and his cast mates were the first voyage sent off into a whole new world of discourse. And while Marvel may not call them back anytime soon, there are certainly some fans who can still appreciate the film for what it ended up being.
Eternals is now streaming on Disney Plus. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Eternals franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
