As Phase 4 continues with new entries such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Moon Knight, Marvel Studios has offered some darker storylines and narrative ideas. Now, the adventure shifts to a lighter tone in Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, which has recently broadcast the first of six episodes on Disney+.
Vellani’s solo series is already receiving high acclaim from some of the MCU’s biggest figures, continuing the trend that began when the teaser for Ms. Marvel debuted online. Episode 1 just scraped the surface of what Kamala Khan’s origin tale would bring to the franchise’s developing storyline, with nods and allusions to Marvel Studios’ historic heritage.
Although Ms. Marvel’s first MCU adventure with the 16-year-old leading character is primarily lighthearted, her first MCU outing is guaranteed to turn serious and genuine in the not-too-distant future.
They indicated when things may start to become darker for Kamala as she learns about her newfound skills during a recent meeting that included some of the series’ major stars.
Ms. Marvel Is Getting a Makeover
During the worldwide press conference for Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel, the creative team discussed the themes and hints that would appear in the following five episodes.
Director Adil El Arbi has said that there will be a handful of darker episodes in the near future with higher stakes. However, as executive producer Sana Amanat and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy have revealed, Kamala Khan will go further into her journey with her family while also discovering her identity:
The moderator is: “So far, everything we’ve seen is humorous and entertaining. What can you tell us about the show’s deeper themes and how they will play out?”
El Arbi: “Their episodes, on the other hand, will be a touch darker. The stakes are about to rise, therefore let’s talk about girls.”
“No spoilers, people,” Amanat says.
Obaid-Chinoy: I believe that in seeking for her identity, Kamala Khan will go on a journey to reconnect with her family in order to understand why it is so vital for her to tell and build her own narrative. And to believe that she might be the superhero she had always wanted to be, except that she would be the superhero rather than mimicking someone else. And on that path of discovery, we as an audience will experience what I can confidently guarantee will be the excitement of our life.
Obaid-Chinoy also commented on the Pakistani culture represented in this series, calling it “pretty freaking fantastic” to see it come to life under the Marvel Studios banner:
The moderator is: “Dear Sharmeen, I’d want to come to you. How did you go about combining the superhero component with the reality that it’s also a narrative about a family and a young girl? How can you keep those two points relevant to your audience?”
“I believe it was about letting the world in on the secret that South Asian culture is really freaking fantastic,” says Obaid-Chinoy.
“Yeah,” says Amanat.
Obaid-Chinoy says: “Our cuisine, our music, and the way parents interact with their children. I wanted to make it cool enough that anybody viewing it would think, that was my argument with my mom when I wanted to go out and she said, ‘There will be males there,’ ‘Remain at home.'”
Obaid-Chinoy also expressed her delight at seeing a new level of representation for “the Muslim globe” and “South Asian immigrant families” as this trip unfolded. It means a lot to her to have her children have a role model in the MCU in the form of Kamala Khan:
“And, you know, create it so that anybody watching outside of the Muslim world, South Asian immigrant families watching, might see a mirror of themselves on TV. And the superhero part was simply because I feel that everyone has a superhero inside them that they just need to awaken. And speaking this narrative will affect so many people’s lives, because I know I have two little girls who, when they see Kamala Khan, will realize that they, too, can be superheroes.”
When asked what makes Ms. Marvel unique, actor Iman Vellani said how Kamala’s awareness of fan culture distinguishes her from other comparable heroines, which is what drew Vellani to her character:
The moderator is: “There are plenty young superheroes on the rise. But what makes Ms. Marvel unique? What is the ‘It element’ that distinguishes her from the other young superheroes? And, you know, we’ve already heard Tom Holland here. We’ve heard that there are other young high school age folks in the MCU. But what is it about Kamala that makes her stand out?”
“Iman,” says Kevin Feige.
Vellani says: “Ms. Marvel has always understood fan culture on such a cellular level, and it has really really enhanced the narrative in a very unique manner. We’ve seen a 16-year-old child with superpowers before, so this is nothing new. She is, however, a fan of every other hero in the MCU canon. And, you know, that interest and enthusiasm is so common among real-life Marvel fans, so we can identify to her. You understand? When she gains abilities, she responds in the same way that we would. So, sure, I like that aspect of her, and it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with her.”
In Vellani’s opinion, Kamala’s culture and Muslim upbringing are just aspects of her personality that she encounters on a daily basis. She noticed a nice balance between her Pakistani culture and her identity as a “Avengers loving, fanfic writing nerd,” which is what propels the program forward more than anything else:
Vellani says: “And culture and religion were never the focal points of her personality; they were just a part of her existence. That’s how it was for me. It’s as though this is the moment I awaken. This is when I leave for school. This is when I pray. This is when I eat. It’s like it’s just a typical set. And we didn’t want to create the show about a Pakistani Muslim; we wanted it to be about this Avengers-loving, fanfic-writing nerd who happens to be a Pakistani Muslim. And, yes, I believe we did a good job of balancing it. Thank you, thanks, thanks.”
Things are about to get serious for Ms. Marvel.
Despite the fact that just one episode is currently accessible to the public, Ms. Marvel has distinguished itself from the MCU’s Disney+ pack by introducing a feeling of childish wonder and excitement to Phase 4 behind Kamala Khan. Her fascination with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, along with her talent for fan-fiction and other forms of storytelling, puts viewers in the shoes of a youngster living in this environment, and it’s been a fairly enjoyable experience thus far.
Nonetheless, as depicted in the first episode’s post-credits sequence, Kamala’s world is going to be turned upside down in a hurry.
Fans will be paying great attention to the Department of Damage Control discovering her existence, particularly considering it’s the same agent that gave Peter Parker such a hard time in Spider-Man: No Way Home. While it is uncertain when Kamala’s family will discover of her newfound abilities, it is certain that this will add another layer of drama and intensity to the youngster’s origin narrative.
Whatever happens, this Avengers fanatic is going to discover swiftly what it means to be a powerful person in a world full of other super individuals.
