Ms Marvel is just one of a long lineup of Marvel shows coming to Disney+ this year, but that doesn’t stop it from doing things that the MCU have never done before.
Ms Marvel will be the first property in the 14 year saga to be led by a Muslim character. Iman Vellani will make her televised debut as the latest superhero Ms Marvel.
The series follows Kamala Khan, a fanatic of superheroes and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. Unlike her comic-book history which sees Kamala transformed by mysterious Terrigen Mists, the series suggests she gets her powers from a pair of bangles hidden away in an attic.
“We’re the first show that showcases religion, school-life balance – and it’s done so seamlessly, I feel”, says Vellani, speaking with The Guardian. “That’s such a special thing I get to share with the character”.
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“I think that’s the main theme of our show: to subvert expectations and throw away all the labels and become your own person”.
However, Vellani suggests that although her faith is important to her as a character and the series, it was also important to show that it’s about a teenage girl. One who is struggling with high school and simultaneously struggling with the immense power she comes into.
Vellani made no effort to hide the fact that she herself was a Marvel fanatic and mentions that she would spend her allowance on “McDonald’s and Iron Man comics”.
Though Vellani admits her anxiousness auditioning for the role, it’s clear she was destined for the part.
“It was scary for me, but honestly I knew my shit. I knew the character so well that I just had to rely on that”, says Vellani. “Because of the pandemic they had to figure stuff out on their end. They were like: ‘you’re very much in the running. Just hang on.’ Hang on?! I have to go to school next year. What do I do? Am I working for Marvel or going to university?”
One thing is for sure, Khan is set to have an impact on the greater MCU. Vellani will star alongside Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rameau and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in 2023’s The Marvels.
Ms Marvel premieres on Disney+ on the 8th of June, 2022.
Check out the trailer below!
