In the colossal machinery of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, every new project is often heralded as the dawn of a new era, a multi-decade commitment to storytelling that ripples across various media. Actors sign on for extensive arcs, and studios sketch out elaborate plans for sequels, spin-offs, and even tangential endeavors like video games and theme park attractions. Yet, as actor Kumail Nanjiani recently unveiled, not all these grand visions materialize, sometimes leaving behind a trail of intriguing `what-ifs` and a poignant lesson in Hollywood`s often-unpredictable trajectory.
Nanjiani, known for his role as the celestial-powered Bollywood star Kingo in Marvel`s 2021 film Eternals, recently shared insights from his contract negotiations that paint a vivid picture of these ambitious studio expectations. During an appearance on Mike Birbiglia`s Working It Out podcast, Nanjiani disclosed that his agreement wasn`t just for a potential six films, but also encompassed a video game adaptation and a theme park ride. “I signed on for a video game. I signed on for a theme park ride. They make you sign up for all this stuff… And so you`re like, `Oh, this is the next 10 years of my life, so I`ll be doing Marvel movies every year, and then in-between I`ll do like my own little things, whatever I want to do.` And then none of that happened,” Nanjiani recounted, a statement laced with a wry, knowing tone that only experience can forge.
The Blueprint for a Multiverse of Content
This revelation isn`t entirely surprising for anyone familiar with Marvel`s business model. The studio has a long-standing history of leveraging its Intellectual Property (IP) across numerous platforms. Successful franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy, for instance, have spawned popular video games and integrated seamlessly into theme park experiences. The expectation for Eternals, despite its relatively obscure comic book origins, was evidently no different. Marvel Studios had, it seems, laid out a comprehensive blueprint, envisioning Kingo and his immortal compatriots not just on the silver screen, but also as pixelated heroes in interactive adventures and larger-than-life figures commanding the attention of park-goers.
One can only speculate about the potential narrative directions of an Eternals video game. Would players explore the ancient history of the Celestials, battling Deviants across millennia? Or perhaps a more contemporary adventure, delving into the modern dilemmas faced by these immortal protectors? And a theme park ride? An immersive journey through the creation of planets, or a high-octane chase scene alongside the ensemble cast? The possibilities, once tangible enough to be written into a Hollywood contract, now exist only in the realm of hypothetical lore, a testament to the fragile nature of even the most meticulously planned cinematic universes.
When Grand Ambitions Meet Box Office Reality
The stark reality, of course, was that Eternals, directed by Chloé Zhao, did not achieve the commercial or critical success that Marvel had likely projected to warrant such extensive ancillary development. Grossing $402.1 million worldwide, while certainly not a catastrophic failure by general industry standards, placed it among the lower-performing entries in the MCU pantheon. For a studio accustomed to routinely surpassing the billion-dollar mark, this figure was a clear signal that the intended multi-decade saga, complete with its accompanying multimedia ventures, might need a significant recalibration, if not a complete halt.
This outcome highlights the inherent risks in Hollywood`s blockbuster strategy. Studios invest hundreds of millions, not just in production, but in securing talent for long-term commitments based on projections of unprecedented success. When those projections fall short, the ripple effects are felt not only in quarterly reports but also in the dashed expectations of those involved, from top-tier directors to lead actors who had envisioned their careers diverging onto an entirely new, Marvel-laden path.
The Actor`s Journey: Beyond the Super Suit
Beyond the financial figures and unmade projects, Nanjiani’s candor offers a rare glimpse into the personal toll that such high-stakes ventures can exact. He previously revealed that the wave of negative reviews following Eternals` release led him to therapy. During his recent podcast appearance, he elaborated on a crucial lesson learned: the need to decouple self-esteem from external validation. “The experience taught him that too much of his self-esteem was tied up to other people`s reactions to his work,” the original report noted. This is a profound insight, particularly for actors operating within a public sphere where every performance is dissected and judged globally.
It`s a reminder that beneath the glittering costumes and heroic narratives, there are individuals navigating intense scrutiny and career uncertainties. Nanjiani’s journey from anticipating a decade of Marvel dominance to finding therapeutic solace and using the experience as material for his stand-up comedy exemplifies resilience and a pragmatic acceptance of professional pivots.
Eternals` Lingering Threads and Future Prospects
Despite the halted multimedia expansion, Eternals remains a part of the MCU tapestry. Its narrative threads, particularly the emergence of a Celestial from Earth`s core, left significant implications for the wider universe. While a direct sequel appears unlikely, the events and characters are not entirely forgotten. “Captain America: Brave New World” has been mentioned as a film that may pick up some of these narrative elements, offering a potential, albeit perhaps understated, continuation for fans of the immortal ensemble.
Nanjiani, for his part, maintains pride in his work on Eternals. His ability to process the experience, to distill it into comedy, and to grow personally from it, underscores a mature perspective on an industry often obsessed with relentless forward momentum. The unmade video games and theme park rides serve as fascinating footnotes in the ever-evolving saga of the MCU, reminding us that even the most powerful cinematic universe has limits to its expansion, and that sometimes, the most compelling stories emerge not from what was built, but from what almost was.
Callum Darby