When we talk about the MCU, one thing we can all agree on is the high-profile and first-rate lineup. Even their new casts are remarkably talented, including the likes of Angelina Jolie, Kit Harrington, David Harbour, and Tatiana Maslany.
With Marvel setting off its latest phase, announcements of their new castings are always something to talk about. Recently, news got out that the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel” has chosen newcomer Iman Vellani to take the role of Ms. Marvel, which is Marvel Studios’ first on-screen Muslim superhero.
If you’re in the dark about her, it’s perfectly fine. In fact, we’ve got you covered this time with some fun facts about the upcoming actress and teenage superhero.
1. “Ms. Marvel” is going to be her FIRST major involvement in film or television.
Vellani was relatively unknown to Hollywood and the acting scene before she landed the role. The 18-year-old talent is from Canada and will play the 16-year-old Pakistani-American-Muslim, Kamala Khan, or Ms. Marvel.
According to Hollywood Reporter, Marvel studios has been auditioning actresses back in June, before deciding to choose Vellani late in August. So, it’s her first major involvement in acting and she got the leading role for a Marvel series. That’s what we call a power entrance!
2. Iman Vellani is only on Instagram as of now.
We’ve looked around and the upcoming actress is a ghost on social media platforms. The only thing that’s certain is her Instagram account, namely @imanvellani.
We’re excited to see how she will grow as an actor. Landing a leading role as her first job, especially with Marvel and Disney, will definitely propel her into becoming a future star. Interestingly enough, she doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page yet!
Update: Unfortunately, we noticed that the young star deleted her IG account after being harassed by internet trolls.
3. Vellani will become Marvel Studios’ first onscreen Muslim hero.
The Disney+ series will be focusing on the life of Kamala Khan, Marvel’s first Muslim superheroine, as she tries to find her own way in New Jersey while growing up in a religious family. A focal point will be about her juggling her faith, her family and her powers, while adapting with the western culture.
4. Vellani has put an effort into adding diversity in the industry before.
As per Deadline, she was a part of The Next Wave committee during the 2019 Toronto Film Festival (TIFF). The committee is a group of students who curate films that they believe would resonate close with people their age, especially teenagers.
The actress spoke to CBS about “Hala”, a film she had picked, “It was just beautiful the way that Minhal Baig, the director, projected her entire life story into this charming character of Hala who is this Pakistani-American-Muslim teenager with immigrant parents, actually just like myself, so I was really able to relate a lot to this film.”
“Hala” is about a girl who has to balance between her faith and the western culture. It basically tackles the same theme “Ms. Marvel” is approaching. Nonetheless, no one else can play a role better than someone who’s able to relate with it.
5. The up-and-coming actress is a big Iron Man fan!
Introducing Ms. Marvel 💥
Sending ❤️ and congratulations to #TIFFNextWave alum Iman Vellani, who will star as Kamala Khan and the titular superhero. pic.twitter.com/zgOggnZGN2
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 30, 2020
Contrary with Kamala Khan, who adores Captain Marvel (which made her adopt the name), Iman Vellani has her eyes on Tony Stark. Based on TIFF’s website, there was a question for her on who she would play in a movie, to which she responded “Iron Man… Duh.”
6. One of Ms. Marvel’s powers is her own major drawback
Ultimately, she has polymorphic abilities, where she can manipulate her own shape and size – altering her physical abilities accordingly. Besides that, she has superhuman strength, speed and a healing factor.
The major drawback is her healing ability – it requires her full-scale energy to recover from a large injury. If her fuel is out in a fight, she’d be stuck in whatever form she’s in and has to make the best of it. Usually, Khan needs to sleep in order to recharge her powers.
7. Kamala Khan is a fangirl
Firstly, Kamala Khan took up the moniker “Ms. Marvel” because she sees Captain Marvel as her own personal hero and adored him very much. In other instances, if other heroes like Spider-Man, Wolverine, or anyone else stop by Jersey City to aid her in fighting tougher villains, she can’t help herself but to be starstruck. This makes her more relatable than the other heroes we’ve seen.
“Ms. Marvel” is expected to release in 2022 alongside Hawkeye, She-Hulk and Moon Knight on the Disney+ streaming platform.
Sources: Deadline, MCU Direct, Screen Rant, IGN, Syfy, CBC, Marvel, Entertainment Weekly.
