Kumail Nanjiani has spoken candidly about his Kumail Nanjiani Eternals experience, highlighting the lasting emotional toll after the film faced harsh public criticism and scrutiny. His personal reflections shed light on the challenges faced by cast members when big-budget Hollywood projects like Marvel’s Eternals do not meet audience expectations, leading to intense scrutiny and online ridicule.
The Controversy Surrounding Eternals and Its Cast
Eternals, positioned as a major installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, became a flashpoint for divisive reactions among critics and Marvel fans. While the film was not a financial disaster, it did not achieve the box office success Marvel Studios had hoped for, and the backlash was widespread. The critical and audience reception marked a significant shift, as it became one of the rare occasions a Marvel film struggled to find support, leaving a visible impact on its stars. Among the cast, Kumail Nanjiani is the only actor to reprise his role, returning as Kingo in the animated series What If…?, while most of his colleagues have stepped away from the franchise for now.
Nanjiani Discusses Mental Health and Public Judgment
Kumail Nanjiani has emerged as a prominent voice in sharing the behind-the-scenes effects of his MCU involvement, particularly regarding his mental well-being. Nanjiani, whose journey with Eternals was intensely public and personal, spoke openly in his comedy special, Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts, about how the negative response to the movie influenced his mental state and the ongoing online commentary about his feelings.
“‘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.”
— Kumail Nanjiani, Comedian/Actor
Nanjiani continued to address the harshness of the judgment he felt from the wider public after the film’s release.
“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, Comedian/Actor
The Lasting Impact of Body Image and Criticism
During the filming and promotional campaign for Eternals, Kumail Nanjiani’s drastic physical transformation generated a surge of online discourse. The public not only commented on his role and performance as Kingo, but also used his physique to fuel debates about Hollywood’s body standards, with accusations and suspicion regarding his rapid transformation. These comments lingered, affecting how Nanjiani perceives himself and compelling him to constantly maintain his physique, as he revealed in his special.
“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.”
— Kumail Nanjiani, Comedian/Actor
The relentless speculation left a deeper mark, with Nanjiani observing how his body became an object for public amusement and a symbol for wider debates.
“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.”
— Kumail Nanjiani, Comedian/Actor
The pressure to keep up his physique, even after there is no professional necessity, continues to shape his choices and mindset.
“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.”
— Kumail Nanjiani, Comedian/Actor
The Broader Consequences for Marvel and Its Stars
Looking back, Eternals marks a pivotal moment in the MCU’s history, signaling a shift in public attitudes toward large movie franchises. Kumail Nanjiani and his fellow cast members became early subjects of critical discourse that would soon expand throughout Hollywood. The film, once viewed as an outlier, now appears to have foreshadowed the changing reception of superhero blockbusters. While Marvel Studios remains quiet about the future of the Eternals and the characters played by stars like Nanjiani, a segment of the audience continues to support the film and appreciate its intentions.
Continuing the Conversation Around Eternals
Although Marvel has yet to announce any new projects involving the Eternals, fans interested in the ongoing evolution of the MCU and in personal journeys like the Kumail Nanjiani Eternals experience can currently revisit the movie on Disney Plus. As the industry reevaluates its relationship with its audiences and talent, the struggles and perspectives shared by Nanjiani stand as a stark reminder of the emotional costs behind cinematic spectacle, not only for audiences but for those at the heart of the production.
