Kumail Nanjiani, the actor who portrayed the superhero Kingo in Eternals, recently opened up about the deep emotional toll the film’s poor reception took on him. The Eternals movie, released in November 2021, was expected to be a major milestone in Nanjiani's career, with the actor signing on for six Marvel movies, a video game, and even a theme park ride. However, after the movie’s disappointing performance at the box office, grossing $402 million globally against a $200 million budget, Nanjiani was left grappling with unexpected career and personal challenges.
In an emotional interview on the podcast Working It Out with Mike Birbiglia, Nanjiani shared how the failure of Eternals shattered him. "I was like, 'Oh, this is going to be my job for the next 10 years,'" Nanjiani said, recalling how he had envisioned a long future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But after the movie’s release and its underwhelming reception, Nanjiani admitted he felt crushed. "It shattered me too much. That’s when I was like, ‘Oh, I need to go to therapy to figure this out,'" he confessed.
Nanjiani's candidness about his struggles highlights the immense pressure placed on actors, especially when their careers are tied to high-stakes, multi-million-dollar franchises like Marvel. "I signed on for six movies. I signed on for a video game. I signed on for a theme park ride. They make you sign up for all this stuff," he explained. "And then none of that happened." The realization that the trajectory he had envisioned for his career might not materialize was a sobering moment for Nanjiani.
The actor also reflected on the impact of external validation on his self-worth, stating that his self-esteem had been too closely tied to how people reacted to his work. "For me, what really hit me was just realizing that too much of my self-esteem is tied up in other people’s reaction to my work," Nanjiani said.
In addition to his struggles, Nanjiani was also aware of the bigger picture. He acknowledged that others had far more significant challenges than his own. "Also, other people have way bigger problems than this," he added, demonstrating his ability to gain perspective despite the setback.
Eternals may not have been the breakthrough film many had hoped for, but for Nanjiani, it became a pivotal moment of growth and reflection. As he moves forward in his career, he is set to tackle these personal challenges with the help of therapy and a new perspective. Nanjiani’s story underscores the importance of mental health in the entertainment industry, a reminder that even successful actors face struggles behind the scenes.
As for Marvel, Eternals has yet to see any of its characters return in future live-action projects, with Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) on the horizon. No Eternals actors have been confirmed for these upcoming films, leaving fans wondering about the future of Kingo and his fellow superheroes. Despite the uncertainties, Nanjiani’s honesty and resilience serve as a reminder of the personal battles often faced by those in the spotlight.
