WhenMs. Marvellands on Disney Plus in just a couple of weeks, she certainly won’t be as recognizable as some of the MCU’s other superheroes. Nevertheless, Kamala Khan does have a lot in common with another teenage wonder who has largely inspired theMs. Marveldirectors:Spider-Man.
TheMs. Marvelseries is created by writer Bisha K. Ali (Loki), with Belgian directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah behind the camera for the first episode, yet another hint that the series is not shy of showcasing its Muslim talent. However, when it comes toMs. Marvel,the pair are looking over to Queens for some ideas. LikeTom Holland’sSpider-Man,Ms. Marvelfollows a teenager’s journey as they come to grips with their newfound superpowers, which will involve a lot of growing up for young Kamala.
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In a new Total Film exclusive (via GamesRadar+), Adil and Bilall went over what the latestSpider-Mantrilogy contributed to their vision, notinghow they wanted to seeMs. Marvelgrow. “In the same way you see Tom Holland as Peter Parker evolve… that’s the bar, basically,” adds El Arbi. “For us, personally, it’s a masterpiece of a movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home. The bar is now so high. It just inspires us and also the other people involved in Ms. Marvel, to be like, ‘What can we do to try to reach that goal one day?'”
Besides her own introductory solo series, Ms. Marvel is booked fora role in 2023’sThe Marvels. This suggests some heavy character depth will have to be given to her throughout the show’s six episodes. Like Peter when he first gets starstruck by Tony Stark, Kamala is a huge fan of the Avengers, a theme that could certainly echo the parental relationship Spider-Man had with Iron Man inAvengers: EndgameandHomecoming.
Ms. Marvelalso happens to be the first instance of Muslim representation in the MCU, and though the character doesn’t own that milestone in the comics, she is the biggest superhero icon tied to the religion. That said, actress Iman Vellani said the show is “about this Avengers-loving, fanfic-writing nerd who just happens to be a Pakistani-American Muslim girl.” Unlike the rest of the newcomers in Phase Four, like Kate Bishop or Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel does have a more clear set path drawn for her in the MCU that could potentially play into the comics’Infinitystoryline.
While it looks likeMs. Marvelwill be getting a significantly altered originstory in the MCU, early reactions to the show seem like a good omen for Marvel after the studio has had a difficult time establishing its newer batch of characters since 2021.
