The search for Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) for the Disney+ series focusing on the publisher Inhuman teen hero is over. Marvel Studios has tapped the fresh-faced actress Iman Vellani to headline the upcoming series based on the fan-favorite comic book character.
The upcoming series will be the first acting credit for the Canadian actress Iman Vellani from the Toronto area. Last year, Iman and eleven other teens made their mark at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) by highlighting films featuring under-represented voices and stories universal to young people.
According to The Hollywood Reporter sources, Marvel was in the process of testing actors throughout the summer, settling on Vellani by late August or early September for the lead in the series. The comic series Ms. Marvel follows the adventures of the New Jersey teenager Kamala Khan, who is also an Inhuman. When her solo series debuted in 2014, Ms. Marvel broke new ground in the industry as she became the first Muslim character to headline a comic book title. The series is not only about the superhero but is also known for exploring Kamala’s identity as a Pakistani American living in a religious family while trying to find her own way in the world.
This announcement is just the latest about the upcoming series that has already named the head writer, Bisha K. Ali, and directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys for Life), the two-time Oscar winner in the short documentary category Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Meera Menon, who has directed episodes of The Walking Dead, The Punisher and Titans.
Actor Kumail Nanjiani, one of the stars in Marvel Studio’s upcoming film The Eternals and who was born in Pakistan, welcomed Vellani to the Marvel family Wednesday via his Twitter feed:
While Marvel Studios provided no comment on the casting, Studio Chief Kevin Feige has said before the plan always was to stay true to the character by finding the right actress to play the role, even if it meant offering a person that was not well known to the public.
The Ms. Marvel announcement joins the other recent ones from Marvel Studio, such as the casting of She-Hulk and Samuel L. Jackson starring in a Nick Fury series.
No release date for the series was given, but it has been reported that in addition to appearing on the small screen, Kamala Khan will have a role in future Marvel films.