Breakout star Iman Vellani has been highly praised and celebrated following her grand introduction into the MCU with the release of Disney Plus' Ms. Marvel series. Vellani's presence alone within the MCU is breaking down barriers, setting a whole new diverse, inclusive precedent for the next generation of superheroes to come. The young actress is portraying MCU's first-ever South Asian superhero, Kamala Khan.
In Ms. Marvel, Kamala is a Muslim-American teenager who seeks solace and comfort in the make-believe. She is able, as a character, to deeply relate to audiences because Kamala is also a massive MCU fan - Captain Marvel, to be exact. Kamala mirrors back to fans watching at home just how much power and strength they harbor within themselves too - that sense of magic and wonder isn’t just reserved for those who dawn a cape and mask. As Vellani starts to establish more of a name for herself following the positive reviews and love she has received thus far from critics and audiences alike, she’s slowly adjusting to this newfound sense of recognition. Actress Brie Larson is set to make a comeback to the MCU in 2023 with The Marvels, the upcoming sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel.
Although in the first film Larson mostly rode solo, this time around she will have the help of two famous allies - Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau and Vellani's Kamala Khan. Vellani is still getting used to the hype and excitement following being the lead of her very own MCU show. In a recent interview with Variety, she revealed that she honestly wasn’t anticipating or expecting Ms. Marvel to have a major role in The Marvels. Initially, when cast in the film, she assumed her character would just be making a brief cameo as opposed to starring as one of the three leads.
“It was a night shoot when they were announcing everything at Disney Investor Day. Right before they announced The Marvels cast, I got a text from Disney PR, I got a text from Brie Larson and I got a text from our producers all at the same time saying I'm in the movie, and then they announced it on the screen," Vellani shared. "I was like, 'Thank you.' I had a hunch I was going to be in it, but more of a cameo role, not an actual main character, so it was cool.” Vellani is truly being welcomed into the MCU by her fellow cast members and fans with open arms. Even though it may take her a bit longer to adapt to the fame and pressure that comes with being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems as though the entire experience has exceeded her expectations thus far.
Ms. Marvel acts as the origin story for Vellani's Kamala Khan, just as Captain Marvel did for Larson's Carol Danvers. Monica Rambeau's journey of discovering her powers was also already told throughout the events that unfolded in WandaVision. Therefore, all three heroines are at a point in their story where they have fled the cocoon, and even spread their wings, but where to next? Now that all three heroes have reached a certain level of self-mastery, what will they be able to bring to the table and share with one another?
The Marvels is set to premiere in theaters on July 28, 2023.
Source: Variety