Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo: Why Eternals Deserved Its Own Marvel Game

Eternals may have been divisive on the big screen, but it had all the ingredients for a fresh, standout Marvel game—especially with Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo front and center. This article explores why the Eternals’ cosmic lore, time-spanning history, and Kingo’s unique star power could have delivered a game unlike anything else in the MCU slate. From rhythm-infused combat to celebrity management systems and Celestial-scale set pieces, here’s the pitch that should have happened.

The MCU has no shortage of heroes who translate cleanly into games. Spider-Man swung into prestige open worlds. Guardians of the Galaxy nailed squad banter and decision-driven storytelling. Midnight Suns proved that a less obvious fit can sing when mechanics match character. Eternals had a similar lane waiting—big mythic stakes, a quirky ensemble, and a charismatic scene-stealer in Kingo. Instead of leaning on a generic beat ’em up template, a Kingo-led Eternals game could have carved out new territory for superhero adaptations.

Why Kingo? He’s the perfect bridge between street-level swagger and cosmic wonder. As an Eternal masquerading as a Bollywood megastar, he embodies two gameplay fantasies at once: stylish action hero and larger-than-life celebrity. Mechanically, Kingo’s finger-gun energy blasts and agile hand-to-hand combat invite a hybrid system—think precise third-person shooting that flows into rhythmic melee strings. Tonally, his entertainer persona opens doors to timing-based sequences, crowd-pleasing finishers, and a fame meter that changes how the world reacts to you.

Picture the core loop. Each mission begins with a choice: the Star or the Warrior. In Star mode, you lean into spectacle—rhythm-inflected combos, perfectly timed dodges that trigger slow-motion flourishes, and cinematic takedowns that earn Fans, boosting Kingo’s public image and unlocking sponsorship-like perks. In Warrior mode, the veneer drops: harder-hitting, purer Eternal techniques with tighter parries, burst dashes, and Celestial-infused ultimates. Swap mid-fight to chase higher style ranks and multipliers, earning resources to improve either your showman side or your ancient warrior discipline.

Of course, Kingo doesn’t stand alone. The Eternals excel as a team, so missions could incorporate squad synergies without turning the game into a pure party RPG. Think contextual assists on cooldowns: Makkari’s lightning-fast reposition that sets up Kingo’s perfect shot windows; Thena’s ethereal blade constructs that juggle enemies for aerial laser barrages; Sersi’s environment transmutation that creates improvised cover or explosive hazards; Phastos crafting battlefield gadgets that supercharge your rhythm cues. You play Kingo, but you choreograph the ensemble.

A Kingo game could traverse eras. One campaign pillar sets missions across centuries—ancient empires, silent-era film shoots, mid-century action reels—each with its signature visual filter and musical backbone. Flashback arcs teach foundational techniques, then recontextualize them in present-day missions against Deviant evolutions and the heavy shadow of Celestial judgment. Imagine a boss encounter that shifts from a rehearsal dance number into a full-on cosmic brawl when a Deviant ambush tears through the set. Hit your cues and the camera rewards you with dazzling transitions; miss them and the choreography collapses into a scrappy survival tussle.

Between missions, a light management layer keeps the celebrity fantasy humming. You field PR choices, rehearse for stunts that subtly boost combat timings, and negotiate whether to reveal more of the Eternal truth or keep the myth alive. A soaring Fame meter unlocks safer public appearances and better crowd support—fans hold back paparazzi, extras clear combat space, and a hype-fueled flourish bar fills faster. A more grounded Honor track, earned by prioritizing truth and protection over spectacle, unlocks raw combat upgrades and specialized gear from Phastos. Neither path is “right”; both shape your Kingo and the world’s response.

Momentum matters. The best superhero games build unforgettable set pieces, and Eternals offers Celestial-scale playgrounds. Consider a sequence on the emerging hand of a slumbering Celestial—platforming across jagged cosmic stone as battle music blends with a pumping dance beat, while Deviants swarm. Or a stealth-meets-spectacle infiltration of an archaeological dig where Sersi’s powers alter the terrain and Kingo’s star charisma distracts guards with on-the-fly “film scenes.” Each set piece underscores the dual identity: the performer who thrives on an audience and the immortal who bears history’s weight.

Progression would be tactile and thematic. Rather than a generic skill tree, unlock “Roles” tied to Kingo’s filmography—The Swashbuckler enhances aerial juggles, The Gun-Fu Icon refines quick-draw energy shots, The Mythic Warrior deepens parry windows and counter-lasers. Collect artifacts and fragments from Celestial ruins to craft Star Relics with Phastos, slotting them into your costume to tweak rhythm windows, combo branches, and ultimate traits. Cosmetics aren’t just skins; they re-theme finishers with callbacks to different eras of Kingo’s career.

Co-op? Optional and chill. A two-player mode could let a friend drop in as Makkari, Thena, or Sersi with limited kits tuned for assists, perfect for replaying missions and chasing top style ranks. Keep the main campaign single-player focused and authored, with episodic story drops adding character-centric side arcs—Druig’s moral pressure cooker, Sprite’s identity quest, or a Gilgamesh challenge gauntlet in an ancestral arena.

Most importantly, the narrative beats would do what the film’s constrained runtime couldn’t: breathe. Give Kingo room to wrestle with immortality and image. Let quieter scenes land—an old fan recognizing him across decades, a tense debate with another Eternal about duty versus performance. Tie the finale to a choice: court the crowd to rally the world behind the Eternals’ cause or strip the mask and fight unseen, leaving only whispers and legends. Either way, your path reframes the final Celestial confrontation.

From a business standpoint, this pitch isn’t a moonshot. A focused, stylish AA title with strong art direction and a tight 12–15 hour campaign could avoid the pitfalls of bloated live service. It would differentiate itself mechanically, lean on a distinctive tone, and give Marvel Games another pillar beyond open-world webs and squad tactics. For fans who felt Eternals had untapped potential, it’s a chance at reappraisal. For players who just want a slick action game with personality, Kingo’s blend of rhythm, wit, and fireworks is a compelling hook.

Maybe we never get the version that might have been, but the blueprint is still exciting. Superhero games work best when they match mechanics to character. Kingo is mechanics waiting to happen: the flash of a performer, the precision of a master, and the cosmic spark to light up a battlefield. If the Eternals are due a comeback in games, let the spotlight hit the showman first—and let the beat drop.