Marvel has finally found its Ms. Marvel and she is to be played by newcomer Iman Vellani who will make history as Marvel Studio’s first onscreen Muslim superhero.
Vellani is set to star in a Disney+ series based on the comic-book character, Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teenager based in New Jersey whose alter-ego is superhero Ms. Marvel.
This project will be the 18-year-old Canadian’s first major Hollywood production.
Vellani is herself the daughter of Pakistani Muslim immigrants and hails from Markham, Ontario.
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Announcing the news on Instagram, Vellani celebrated: “Speechless and excited! Wish me luck. #msmarvel.”
In 2019, Vellani was part of the Next Wave Committee at the Toronto Fim Festival, which was tasked with adding a special tag to films which they believed would make an impact on their peers.
Her committee bio from the event lists her as interested in cinematography but now acting will certainly be added to the list.
Written by Bisha K. Ali, Kamala Khan became the first Muslim character to star in her own Marvel comic book back in 2014 and now the character is finally being brought to the small screen.
Deadline reports that Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has said that as well as appearing on the Disney+ series roster, Kamala Khan will be included in future MCU movies.
Bad Boys for Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will be helming Ms. Marvel and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Meera Menon will also be directing some episodes.
The news was celebrated by Kumail Nanjiani, who is due to star in the upcoming Marvel film The Eternals. He tweeted: “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.”
G Willow Wilson, who co-created the character of Kamala Khan alongside Sana Amanat, tweeted: “I guess this news is out. Eyes Congrats, Iman!”
Actress Mindy Kaling also celebrated Vellani’s casting, tweeting: “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! Red heartRed heartRed heartRed heart#RepresentationMatters.”
Ms. Marvel was announced at Disney’s D23 expo in August 2019, along with TV series based on She-Hulk and Moon Knight.