Kumail Nanjiani Is Fully Ripped for Marvel's The Eternals

Earlier this year, Men's Health got a look inside comedy star Kumail Nanjiani's extensive workout regimen , as he was in the process of training for a secretive superhero movie role. That movie wound up being The Eternals , next fall's entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which will also star Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden , and Brian Tyree Henry.

The work Nanjiani's been putting in has clearly paid off, as a "thirsty shirtless" Instagram post from the actor has the internet buzzinghe looks like an entirely different person. Who would've guessed the guy from The Big Sick would look like a superhero only a couple years later?

"I never thought Id be one of those people who would post a thirsty shirtless, but Ive worked way too hard for way too long so here we are," he wrote in the post's caption. "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

His extensive caption went on to thank his trainer, Grant Roberts, his nutritionist, David Higgins, and his wife, Emily V. Gordon (who co-wrote The Big Sick along with him).

But perhaps most interesting about Kumail's transformation is his self-awareness about just how difficult something like this might be for the average guy. It's one thing to commit to a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and consistent exercise, but it's another to have that bankrolled by a corporation like Marvel and have that process literally be your job for a full year (and more).

"I would not have been able to do this if I didnt have a full year with the best trainers and nutritionists paid for by the biggest studio in the world," he wrote. "Im glad I look like this, but I also understand why I never did before. It would have been impossible without these resources and time."

Immediately upon sharing the photo evidence of his dramatic transformation, reactions started flowing in toward Nanjiani's new super-powered physique, including many famous friends in his Instagram comments.

Co-writer of The Big Sick and Kumail's wife, Emily V. Gordon, commented that it was "worth it."

And co-stars both old (Thomas Middleditch from Silicon Valley) and new (Richard Madden from The Eternals) commented as well.

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Actor Colin Hanks (son of Tom) joined the chorus of congratulations, saying "I think Emily is going to be OK. But seriously, well done sir."

Other stars like Always Sunny's Charlie Day, Queer Eye star Tan France, and director Edgar Wright got in the mix too.

[/image] The Eternals debuts next November for Marvel, and while not a ton is known about the movie's plot, it's exciting to think about Kumail's role in light of the transformation that Chris Pratt made before his debut in Guardians of the Galaxy back in 2014, and what the MCU future could hold for all involved. Maybe even a future involving... this very publication? We shall see.

Look at my dog @kumailn out here about to get a @MensHealthMag cover https://t.co/L3oae9mYJy Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry)