Actress Iman Vellani to Play Muslim Superhero Ms. Marvel

By N. Jamiyla Chisholm Oct 01, 2020

Fans of “Ms. Marvel,” Marvel Studios first Muslim superhero, have been patiently waiting for a real person to don her suit since the studio introduced her back in 2014. The wait is finally over, as Deadline reported on September 30 that the studio has finally picked an actor to bring Ms. Marvel’s adventures to screens everywhere. Newcomer Iman Vellani will take on the role of the masked fighter for a Disney+ series.

Also known as Kamala Khan, the Pakistani-American teen from Jersey City made Marvel history when she became the first Muslim character to star in her own book series. Her powers include bioluminescence, shapeshifting, healing and superhuman speed. Unlike the 1977 version of Ms. Marvel, a white woman named Carol Danvers who fought evil in black panties and an exposed midriff, Khan’s alter ego wears a blue tunic and red tights. Writer Bisha K. Ali will serve as showrunner.

At last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, well before she was cast to play Khan, Vellani told CBC, "We want stories from different genders and different countries and different people." It looks like she got her wish.