Marvel Had Big Plans for ’eternals’ – Including Six Films, a Video Game, and a Theme Park Ride – Before Cancellation
Los Angeles, CA – Marvel Studios initially envisioned a decade-long commitment for the cast of Eternals, including six film appearances, a video game integration, and a theme park attraction, according to actor Kumail nanjiani. The revelation comes as news broke earlier this week that a sequel to the 2021 film has been cancelled,alongside plans for Kit Harington’s character,Dane Whitman/Black Knight.
Nanjiani, who played Kingo in Eternals, shared details on the Working It Out podcast hosted by Mike Birbiglia, revealing he signed a contract anticipating a notable role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “I signed on for all this stuff. I signed on for six movies, a video game, [and] a theme park ride. I was like, ‘This is gonna be my job for the next 10 years,'” he stated.
This extensive commitment suggests Marvel intended to deeply integrate the Eternals – a team of immortal beings tasked with protecting Earth – into the broader MCU narrative. The initial plan likely mirrored standard contracts offered to many MCU actors, potentially including Angelina Jolie (Thena), Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos), and others, anticipating multiple sequels and crossover appearances. Tho, the eternals have remained largely absent from the MCU for nearly four years, with the exception of a cameo appearance by Nanjiani voicing an alternate version of Kingo in a season three episode of the Disney+ animated series What if…?.
The six-film commitment likely encompassed at least two direct Eternals sequels, alongside three guest appearances in other MCU properties. The theme park ride would have likely utilized Nanjiani’s likeness, and the video game component remains somewhat open to interpretation. Nanjiani has previously contributed voice work to video games, and Marvel has integrated its characters into existing titles like Marvel Strike Force and Fortnite – the latter featuring Ryan Reynolds reprising his role as Deadpool. Speculation exists that Kingo could have even been considered for the upcoming Marvel Rivals game.
The cancellation of the Eternals sequel, and the shelving of these broader plans, follows a period of mixed reception for the film. Eternals received “really bad reviews,” as Nanjiani acknowledged,which significantly impacted him. He revealed he sought therapy to address how much of his self-worth had become tied to external validation of his work.
despite the initial disappointment, Nanjiani maintains pride in his involvement with Eternals. The film, directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao, introduced a complex mythology and a diverse cast of characters to the MCU. Its exploration of themes like purpose, legacy, and the weight of immortality offered a different tone than many previous Marvel films.The future of the Eternals remains uncertain. However, given Marvel Studios’ recent strategic shifts and willingness to revisit previously underutilized characters, a potential return for Kingo and his team cannot be entirely ruled out. Marvel has release dates scheduled for numerous upcoming projects, including films and series within the Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and DC universes, as well as a new era for Doctor Who.
