Iman Vellani Has Been Cast to Portray Ms. Marvel for Disney+ Series
Marvel is bringing a new face to its Cinematic Universe with the introduction of Ms. Marvel played by Iman Vellani.
Ms. Marvel is a historic character; she is Marvel’s first Muslim character to lead her own comic series and be depicted on screen. According to Deadline, Vellani has been cast to portray her.
Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios chief, has also said that on top of appearing on the small screen, the character of Kamala Khan will be featured in future Marvel movies.
Hmm, what is this making me think of . . . pic.twitter.com/nm8mOmINaL
— vroomfondel rules OK (@lunkwillphouchg) September 30, 2020
While this will be her first big production as an actor, a year ago she was a part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Next Wave members, who were responsible for picking out a lineup of films representing new, diverse stories.
According to CBC, Vellani chose a film Hala about a Pakistani-American-Muslim teenager with a plot that seems very similar to Ms. Marvel’s own.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MEET YOUR NEW KAMALA KHAN IMAN VELLANI! She’ll do great! Moon Knight casting up next! MS. MARVEL LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! pic.twitter.com/qFxckQDdIn
— TASK the Ol’ Nerdy Bastard & #1 Orphan Black Stan (@UpToTASK) September 30, 2020
While Marvel Comics has spent the last decade creating the visual world of our favorite superheroes, Ms. Marvel is actually a very recent addition to the comic book universe. The first issue released at the beginning of 2014 centering around the character Kamala Khan, a Pakistani American girl who lives in New Jersey.
She names her alter-ego Ms. Marvel after her own favorite superhero Captain Marvel. Her abilities make her a polymorph (like how Disney’s Mrs. Incredible is able to stretch her body) and manipulate its shape.
What a joy in these trying times to see that #MsMarvel (a Pakistani American teen superhero!) has cast its lead role, a young actress named Iman Vellani! Congrats to you! I can’t wait to see the show! ❤️❤️❤️❤️#RepresentationMatters
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 30, 2020
The comic book series was created due to a conversation started by a Marvel Editor Sana Amant, who would, according to Vogue, share stories about her own experiences as a Muslin American teenager.
This turned into the comic series which follows Khan as she learns to embrace her powers while also struggling with her identity, faith, and family. Amant is the influential driving force for this character as she brings a new perspective keeping Marvel Comics fresh, relevant, and very much needed for audiences craving diversity.
I just saw they cast Ms. Marvel and legit got teary eyed.
Congratulations Iman Vellani! Your work is going to mean so much to so many people, myself included. I can’t wait.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) September 30, 2020
Representation and diversity on screen, especially for such a huge company, is so crucial for audiences to see. We are so excited to see Vellani take on this incredible role and bring Ms. Marvel to life.
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