Marvel Studios' plans for the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe include introducing Kamala Khan, a.k.a Ms. Marvel, ina series for Disney+. Now, the search for an actor to play Khan has concluded with newcomer Iman Vellani landing the lead role of theMs. Marvelseries.
The Markham-based student recently served a member of The Next Wave Committee at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020. The 12-person committee was tasked with adding a special tag to TIFF films, which had already been programmed into other categories, that they believed would resonate with their peers. With the committee focused on highlighting stories that young people could connect to and that showcasedunder-represented voices, Vellani chose to spotlight director Minhal Baig’s film about a Pakistani-American-Muslim teenager titledHala.
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Per Deadline, Marvel Studios intended to stay true to the character of Kamala Khan when casting the role, even if that meant casting an unknown. At 17 years old,Ms. Marvelis Vellani’s first major Hollywood project to date and Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige has already confirmed the character will be featured in future MCU films after her debut in the series.The directing teamonMs. MarvelincludesBad Boys for Lifehelmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, andThe Punisherepisode directorMeera Menon.
British scribe Bisha K. Ali serves as head writer and showrunner on the series, which marks the first time a Muslim superhero will appear in a Marvel Studios project. In the comics, Khan takes over the Ms. Marvel mantle fromCarol Danversand uses her inhuman shapeshifting abilities to protect her community in Jersey City, New Jersey. The character was created by Sana Amanat, G. Willow Wilson, and Adrian Alphona and made her first comic appearance in 2013’sCaptain Marvel#14.
Marvel Studios is currently hard at work developing multiple television projects for Disney+ to accompany its line-up of Phase 4 films. While many will introduce newcomers to the MCU, others focus on already-established supporting characters such asSamuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury.
Vellani joins Tatiana Maslany as one of the new actresses joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. TheOrphan Blackstar wasrecently cast as She-Hulkin the series centered on the lawyer turned superhero.
Ms. Marvelis currently scheduled to premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2022.
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