The next movie in the MCU is set to debut in theaters with Eternals. The movie will introduce fans to a little-known group of Marvel heroes, an intergalactic pseudo-family that have witnessed countless events throughout Earth’s history while fulfilling their oath not to interfere. Along with the exciting prospect of Oscar winner Chloe Zhao directing, Eternals boats an incredible cast including Gemma Chan and Angelina Jolie. However, perhaps the cast member fans are most excited to see is Kumail Nanjiani.
Nanjiani will take the role of the Eternal named Kingo. Like many of these more obscure heroes, fans may not be immediately familiar with Kingo but he is shaping up to be one of the most unique heroes in the MCU. Along with being an ancient being who has protected the Earth from the Deviants for thousands of years, Kingo is also a Bollywood star in modern times. Unlike the other Eternals who have attempted to maintain a low profile on Earth, Kingo has embraced fame. It is a very interesting setup for a character in this kind of movie and gives Nanjiani a platform to show off his versatility as an actor.
Nanjiani is perhaps not the first person who audiences would think of to step into the superhero movie world. His much-talked-about superhero transformation has been incredibly impressive but the world of Marvel heroes is very different than the kind of work he has been known for. He began his career as a stand-up comedian before moving successfully into movies and television. His role in the acclaimed HBO sitcom Silicon Valley was perhaps his big break but it was another movie that really highlighted Nanjiani's terrific talent. And before fans see Nanjiani in his biggest role to date in Eternals, they should first check him out in The Big Sick.
Released in 2017, The Big Sick is a unique and wonderful romantic comedy Nanjiani co-wrote with his wife Emily V. Gordon while also starring in the lead role. Nanjiani plays a character named Kumail, a struggling stand-up comedian who meets a young woman named Emily and begins falling for her. But as Kumail deals with the uncertainly of balancing his new relationship with his Pakistani family's strict Muslim beliefs, Emily has a serious health scare causing Kumail to re-evaluate what is important to him. As may be evident from that description of the movie, The Big Sick is heavily based on Nanjiani and Gordon's real-life romance, including the terrifying health scare. Upon hearing their unique love story, producer Judd Apatow encouraged the couple to write a screenplay based on those experiences. The result is a romantic comedy in which both the comedic aspects and the relationship drama feel like they are coming from a very honest place.
It might seem a bit strange to have a rom-com in which one of the characters is in a coma for much of the movie, but the willingness to try something new and not play it safe is what makes The Big Sick stand out in the genre. It goes through much of the same beats as a typical rom-com, with the couple meeting and forming a charming relationship with each other only for that relationship to be tested. But it is the way the relationship is tested that is most interesting.
While it might seem to be a standard love story to begin with, albeit one elevated by its writing, by the second act of the movie, it is something totally different. And it is not just the illness with Emily that feels unique. The movie also spends a lot of time exploring Kumail's struggles with moving away from his family's customs and the strain that causes. Kumail finds himself beginning a relationship he knows his parents won't approve of while still going through the motions of what they envision for his life. The movie also doesn't dismiss his family's beliefs as outdated and unfair which would have been easy to do. Instead, it presents the family as very loving while addressing the complicated aspects of their customs. It adds to the feeling that this is a rom-com audiences have never seen before.
As entertaining and funny as Nanjiani had been in previous roles, The Big Sick proved he could be a leading man. Though the role may be based on aspects of his own life, Nanjiana brings a down-to-earth charm and humor to the role while also being incredibly emotional at times. He is not attempting to show Kumail as this perfect protagonist but rather a flawed young man who is navigating a complex situation. He is also backed by an incredible supporting cast that further elevates the movie.
Zoe Kazan has a difficult role as Emily, needing the audience to see her as the ideal person for Kumail while also spending a large portion of the movie in a coma. However, she nails the part with humor and lightness while also being very effective in portraying Emily's frustrations as well. Holly Hunter and Ray Romano are also terrific as Emily's parents who Kumail is forced to spend much of the movie with as they worry over their daughter. Romano is especially hilarious with an awkward energy. Kumail's parents played by Anupam Kher and Zenobia Shroff are also very good, bringing depth and humor to characters that are usually written in a very one-dimensional way in other movies.
Though Nanjiani is an unexpected superhero for some, fans who have seen The Big Sick are understandably excited for his role in Eternals. Along with that movie proving that Nanjiani is a great overlooked talent, this big-budget Marvel movie will allow more people to see his talents and hopefully check out The Big Sick as well.
Eternals premieres on November 5, 2021.