The Marvel Cinematic Universe is stumbling after the grand success of the Infinity Saga. While there have been some highs, the overcrowded nature of MCU projects over TV and movies started to wear out audiences. Their focus on quantity over quality backfired and the reputation of the brand is now at an all-time low.
One of the more interesting films in Phase 4 of The Marvel Cinematic Universe was 2021’s Eternals. The film introduced a new team of heroes and their history spanning centuries. However, audiences did not connect with the film, and one of the stars was deeply affected by the underwhelming reviews that the film got.
Kumail Nanjiani Went to Therapy After Eternals Backlash
Kevin Feige and director Chloe Zhao hyped up the MCU’s version of Jack Kirby’s Eternals at 2019’s Comic-Con. Everyone was excited after the ensemble cast appeared at Comic-Con (including Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, and Kumail Nanjiani among others) who all teased a unique entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, when the film was released, audiences found the film to be too detached from what they expected out of a typical MCU film. The lack of action and the centuries-spanning narrative between the ensemble failed to engage audiences. The backlash and underwhelming reception to the film hurt Nanjiani who played Kingo in the film.
Nanjiani appeared on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast where he talked about his Marvel experience and working on Eternals. He revealed that Marvel and the whole cast believed in the film when it did not go well. he was deeply traumatized and went to a therapist. He also claimed that the failure was tough on the whole cast. He said,
“The reviews were bad, and I was too aware of it. It was really, really hard because Marvel thought that movie was going to be really, really well-reviewed. It was really hard, and that was when I thought it was unfair to me and unfair to [my wife] Emily, and I can’t approach my work this way anymore. Some shit has to change, so I started counseling. I still talk to my therapist about that. Emily says that I do have trauma from it,”
Nanjiani had worked hard for the film and even built a great physique for his character which was constantly asked in interviews. He got tired after a point saying, “I am very uncomfortable talking about my body” to GQ. While the film might have not been received well at the time of release, fans have now deemed it a better entry than most Phase 4 releases.
Jeremy Renner Ready for Marvel Comeback After His Miraculous Recovery
Jeremy Renner suffered a life-threatening snowplow accident last year where he broke several bones and has been recovering ever since. He has now started coming back to work on season 3 of his hit show Mayor of Kingstown. When Entertainment Tonight asked the Marvel star for a return as Hawkeye in the MCU, he revealed his interest in doing so.
Renner expressed that if Marvel Studios called him up to return as Hawkeye, he would be strong enough and ready. He claims that his Marvel family has always been by his side in his road to recovery and he will absolutely show up whenever they need him. He said,
“I’m always game. I’m gonna be strong enough, that’s for sure. I’ll be ready. All those guys come to my bedside and they’ve been with me all along through this recovery, so… if they want me, they could have me. It would be something.”
For now, it is not known when or if Hawkeye will ever return to the MCU. Fans got to see him most recently in Echo and it remains to be seen if the studio finds a place for him in the future.
