The MCU video game cancelled revelation from Kumail Nanjiani has sent shockwaves through the Marvel fanbase. In a recent interview promoting the new season of Only Murders in the Building, the actor dropped some major bombshells about his Marvel contract that never came to fruition.
The Massive Marvel Deal That Never Was
Nanjiani, who played Kingo in 2021’s Eternals, revealed he had signed on for an ambitious six-film Marvel contract. But that wasn’t all – he was also contracted to voice his character in a video game project that Marvel ultimately shelved.
“They make you sign on for all this stuff,” Nanjiani explained during the interview. “You’re like, ‘Okay, so I’ll be doing Marvel movies every year, and in between, I’ll do my own little things.’ None of that happened.”
The actor’s disappointment is palpable, but he’s maintained a sense of humor about the whole situation. He’s even incorporating bits about the experience into his stand-up comedy routine.
Why the MCU Video Game Cancelled Plans Fell Through
The primary reason behind these cancelled projects was Eternals‘ lukewarm reception. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, earning a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. More damaging was its box office performance, which failed to meet Marvel’s typically high standards.
This poor reception effectively killed Marvel’s plans for an Eternals trilogy and related projects, including the video game that would have featured Nanjiani’s Kingo character.
The Standard Marvel Contract Strategy
Nanjiani’s revelation sheds light on Marvel’s standard operating procedure when signing new actors. The studio typically locks talent into multi-picture deals, often including:
- Multiple film appearances
- Voice work for animated projects
- Video game voice acting
- Theme park attractions
- Promotional appearances
This strategy ensures character continuity across the Marvel Cinematic Universe while protecting the studio’s investment in new characters and storylines.
What This Means for Marvel’s Gaming Future
The MCU video game cancelled news is particularly interesting because Marvel has largely stepped away from developing dedicated MCU tie-in games. The last major MCU game was released over a decade ago, with Marvel now focusing on licensing their characters to other developers.
Recent Marvel gaming successes have come from non-MCU properties like Insomniac’s Spider-Man games and the upcoming Marvel Rivals. The cancelled Eternals game would have been a rare return to MCU-specific gaming content.
Nanjiani’s Therapy and Moving Forward
The actor has been refreshingly honest about how Eternals‘ reception affected him personally. He’s spoken about seeking therapy to separate his self-worth from public perception of his work.
“I was really devastated that the reviews and box office performance were so bad,” he admitted. However, he’s found ways to cope and even find humor in the situation.
From Marvel to DC: A New Chapter
Interestingly, while his Marvel future remains uncertain, rumors suggest Nanjiani may be heading to DC to play Booster Gold in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. This would mark a significant shift from his Marvel disappointment to potentially becoming a key player in DC’s reboot.
FAQs
What was the MCU video game that got cancelled?
The specific details of the cancelled MCU video game haven’t been revealed, but it would have featured Kumail Nanjiani voicing his Eternals character Kingo. The game was shelved due to the poor reception of the Eternals film.
How many Marvel movies was Kumail Nanjiani supposed to be in?
Nanjiani revealed he had signed a contract for six Marvel Cinematic Universe films, far more than the single Eternals appearance he ultimately made.
Why didn’t Marvel continue with Eternals sequels?
Eternals received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office compared to other MCU films, leading Marvel to abandon plans for sequels and related projects.
Is Kumail Nanjiani joining DC Comics movies?
There are unconfirmed rumors that Nanjiani has been cast as Booster Gold in James Gunn’s DC Universe, though this hasn’t been officially announced.
What other projects was Nanjiani contracted for at Marvel?
Beyond the six films and video game, Nanjiani was also contracted for theme park attractions and had already done voice work for the animated series What If…?
How is Nanjiani dealing with the Marvel disappointment?
The actor has been open about seeking therapy to cope with the film’s reception and is incorporating the experience into his stand-up comedy routine.
The Bigger Picture for Marvel
Nanjiani’s story highlights a broader issue within the current MCU landscape. Marvel’s tendency to quickly abandon projects that don’t immediately succeed has left many promising storylines and characters underdeveloped.
The MCU video game cancelled revelation also shows how interconnected Marvel’s multimedia strategy was intended to be, with films, games, and theme parks all working together to build their universe.
While fans may never get to experience the Eternals video game or see Nanjiani’s full six-film arc as Kingo, his honesty about the situation provides valuable insight into how the entertainment industry really works behind the scenes. Sometimes even the biggest dreams don’t pan out, but that doesn’t mean the end of the story – it just means writing a new chapter elsewhere.