The use of music has always been crucial to the MCU, as seen by the incorporation of strong symphonic tunes as well as the most recent pop singles. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” which played when Kamala Khan recalled the events of Avengers: Endgame, was used as the opening song for Ms. Marvel’s debut episode.
Black Panther had a notable musical suite that includes an orchestral score by Ludwig Göransson as well as a soundtrack of original compositions by rap artist Kendrick Lamar, including the chart-topping “All the Stars.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is just five months away and will include an all-new smash soundtrack. Even four years later, many people still listen to the popular originals from the Black Panther soundtrack, and one song nearly made it into Ms. Marvel.
Ms. Marvel Almost Used the Black Panther Song
Ms. Marvel writer Bisha K. Ali disclosed in a recent line of tweets that Episode 2 nearly contained the song “The Ways” by Khalid and Swae Lee from the Black Panther soundtrack.
The writer revealed how she first heard the Black Panther song while working on the second episode with her spouse and felt it “would be so wonderful to add it to the MCU:”
“While working on Ep 2, I was listening to a song on repeat and said to my husband, “I adore this song, do you think we could use it?” It would be fantastic to see it in the MCU. That really resonates to my heart— Him: Um… I don’t believe so—Me: Why not?! I’m sure Sana will be interested as well—”
Ali’s husband then advised her to “check the album it’s from,” and she abandoned the idea:
“Him: That tune is probably popular at work. Why don’t you look into the album it’s from?
Me: Oh. That’s understandable. I never mentioned it.”
Can the MCU Repurpose Music?
Ultimately, adding “The Ways” in Ms. Marvel would not have been a major impediment to the Disney+ series. Much of Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther soundtrack was inspired by the film rather than appearing in it, and the song in question was one of them removed from the big screen.
Who knows what other current bangers will be used in the remainder of Ms. Marvel, particularly considering the premiere already had The Weeknd. With Khalid and Swae Lee’s “The Ways” in the running for the next episode, there’s little question there will be plenty more familiar songs to come.
Following the popularity of the Black Panther soundtrack, Marvel Studios will most certainly try to recreate that success with Wakanda Forever. Who knows whether Lamar will return to produce since he has just completed his own album and is about to go on tour, but the studio will almost certainly find a slew of new musicians to fill the roster.
Ms. Marvel Episode 2 will broadcast on Disney+ on June 15.
