The wait to meet Kamala Khan is a little longer than anticipated, but Disney+ Day gives a more definitive release window. Along with a brand new teaser, Marvel Studios announced that Ms. Marvel would start streaming in Summer 2022.
We know that Iman Vellani, who stars as Kamala Khan, will appear in The Marvels — the Captain Marvel sequel. That movie stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau. Parris made her first appearance in the MCU through WandaVision.
The Marvels is directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Megan McDonnell.
Ms. Marvel‘s delayed release puts it closer to the film (set for release in February 2023), so maybe it is true that everything works out in the end.
The latest teaser, which you can watch by finding Marvel Studios’ 2021 Disney+ Day Special on Disney+, gives us a glimpse at Kamala’s life before and after inheriting powers. It also shows her as a massive Captain Marvel fangirl, and honestly, we can relate.
According to Marvel, the series “introduces viewers to Kamala, a 16-year old Pakistani American from Jersey City. An aspiring artist, an avid gamer, and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, she is a huge fan of the Avengers — and one in particular, Captain Marvel. But Kamala has always struggled to find her place in the world — that is until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to.”
That description suggests Ms. Marvel will be a coming-of-age story for Kamala as much as it’s an origin story for her superhero alias. This possibility is exciting since the MCU doesn’t have a lot of stories like that in its filmography.
There is most certainly not a project that centers on a Muslim teenager growing up in New Jersey who becomes a superhero overnight. It’s about time that the MCU’s scope expands enough to let more diverse characters and stories on screen.
This franchise still has a long way to go for representation, but Ms. Marvel is a step in the right direction.
This new teaser doesn’t show us Ms. Marvel’s powers for whatever reason, but hers are some of the most expansive in the Marvel Universe, literally and figuratively. Those powers are also integral to her development as a young Pakistani American woman.
Alternatively, the new footage does show Kamala trying to walk in Captain Marvel’s footsteps. She even wears a version of the hero’s costume. It is fantastic to see a teenage girl find pride in herself through her passion of things she loves, rather than feel shame for her interests.
Kamala Khan is an ultimate fangirl at heart, which is part of what makes her so wonderful. It’s not the sum of her being, but it’s a part of it she doesn’t shine away from. Being a part of something bigger than yourself is a common desire for young adults. So it’s comforting to know that Kamala will have at least one best friend by her side.
Growing up is one thing. Growing up and gaining superhero abilities at the same time is a whole other battle. Thankfully, Ms. Marvel will have six episodes in its first season (Fingers crossed it gets more than one) to explore this chapter of Kamala’s journey.
Ms. Marvel is led by creator and head writer Bisha K. Ali. Executive Producers Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy directed the series.
It is also set to star Matt Lintz as Kamala’s best friend Bruno Carrelli, Saagar Shaikh as Kamala’s brother Amir, Rish Shah as Kamran, Zenobia Shroff as Kamala’s mother Muneeba, Mohan Kapur as Kamala’s father Yusuf, and Aramis Knight as Kareem / Red Dagger.
Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, Travina Springer, Nimra Bucha, Alyy Khan, and Alysia Reiner have also been cast in undisclosed roles.
Are you looking forward to Ms. Marvel? Let us know in the comments below!
