Marvel’s Eternals faced a tough reception upon its release in 2021, with critics delivering harsh reviews despite the film’s stellar cast and ambitious storyline. Kumail Nanjiani, one of the stars of the movie, opened up about the impact of the negative reviews during an interview on the Inside of You podcast with Michael Rosenbaum. Nanjiani admitted that he took the reviews personally and attributed the critical panning to a combination of factors, including the unusual circumstances surrounding the film’s release amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nanjiani revealed that he was deeply affected by the bad reviews and found himself constantly checking for reactions, which took a toll on his mental well-being. He described the post-pandemic release of Eternals as a significant moment, hoping it would serve as a triumphant return to cinemas. However, he acknowledged that there was a “weird soup” of factors contributing to the film’s negative reception, suggesting that external circumstances played a role beyond the movie’s actual quality.
Kumail Nanjiani in Eternals
Despite the critical backlash, Eternals left several narrative threads open for exploration in potential sequels. The film introduced characters like Blade, Black Knight, and Starfox, teasing future developments within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While there has been no official confirmation of an Eternals 2, rumors and speculation suggest that Marvel Studios may be considering a sequel, especially given the unresolved plot points and character introductions in the first film.
However, with the passage of four years since Eternals premiered, and few mentions of its characters or storyline in subsequent MCU projects, the future of the group remains uncertain. The upcoming Captain America: Brave New World is rumored to tie into Eternals, potentially shedding light on the fate of its characters. Nevertheless, the ultimate direction of the Eternals within the MCU is unclear, with Kevin Feige likely considering various options to continue their story.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding Eternals, its potential sequel, and the future of its characters, the film’s legacy within the MCU and its impact on future storytelling remain significant. Whether Eternals will return to the big screen in its original form or undergo revisions to fit into Marvel’s broader narrative remains to be seen, but fans eagerly await news of the group’s next chapter.
