While fans recently discovered Oscar Isaac’s new hero, Moon Knight, thanks to his recent six-episode limited series, audiences are already nearly halfway through introducing another: Kamala Khan from Iman Velani. Ms. Marvel has released two episodes so far, and critics and audiences seem to be loving it.
It’s great to see how well fans seem to be enjoying the new hero, especially considering how important she will be in the MCU going forward. It’s even more impressive that the character was able to gain momentum after many fans got angry at Kamala’s dramatic power overhaul.
Following the end of his Disney+ run, the character will next play a role in the upcoming Captain Marvel sequel, Wonders. But how long will the actress spend on screen? It looks like it could be a good bit, as its screen time surprised even the woman who brought Ms. Marvel to life.
Iman Vellani Surprised By Her Screentime Wonders
In an interview with Variety, Ms. Marvel the actress revealed that she did not realize her role in Wonders was going to be more than a cameo, while discussing her time on Brie Larson’s upcoming sequel.
Vellani revealed how she “had a hunch [that she] was going to be in it”, but was surprised when he learned how she would be “a real main character:”
“It was a night shoot when they were announcing everything on Disney Investor Day. Right before they announced the cast of ‘The Marvels,’ I get a text from Disney PR, I get a text from Brie Larson, and I get a text from our producers all at once saying I’m in the movie and then they announced it on screen I was like, ‘Thank you.’ I had a hunch I was going there play, but more of a cameo role, not a real main character, so that was cool.”
The actress then gushed about Nia DaCosta, the director of Wonders. Vellani exclaimed how she “is [her] favorite human of all time”, and that the director “would always give positive reinforcement:”
“Nia DaCosta is my favorite human. I think she’s so talented and so caring and considerate. is yours. Do what you want. Anything we haven’t tried, do it. She always gave positive reinforcement, even though she had no notes. She said, “That little thing you did with your hand, I really liked that. And I’m like, ‘Oh, wow. She noticed !’ She really cares about you and watches over you.”
The love certainly doesn’t end there. She went on to note that “Brie and Teyonah are the same,” and Vellani joked how “[she] had to hold back a little” when it comes to gushing about his other two co-stars:
“Brie and Teyonah are alike. Standing next to them, sharing a screen with them is so empowering. they took it very seriously, and I was just like, “Oh my God, I’m in a movie.”
Kamala Khan loves Captain Marvel and Vellani shares the same feelings for Brie Larson herself. She continued, sharing how “at any time [she] had a problem on set, [she] would text [Brie Larson]:”
“She was the sweetest. I was really shy and felt like anything I wanted to ask would have been stupid, but she didn’t make me feel that way. She has such a warm presence and made our intimate Zoom call, telling me all about her experience. She was like, ‘Seriously, if your mom needs to talk to my mom, we can make it happen. Whatever you need.’ Whenever I had a problem on set, I texted her and she made herself so available to answer my questions, no matter how silly or small.”
Vellani’s admiration continued to be palpable as she revealed that “[Larson] wanted to prepare [her] mentally” for the amount of attention to be in a Marvel movie, “and maintain [her] hand throughout this one:”
“She really wanted to be there for me, because even though she was already an established actress, being in Marvel changed her career forever. The amount of attention you get as a Marvel actor is completely unmatched to any other. thing in this industry, and she wanted to mentally prepare me for it and hold my hand through it.”
As for keeping all of Marvel’s secrets, the Ms. Marvel star confidently stated how “[she] sworn of [Marvel Studios President] Kevin [Feige] this [she] will never drop any secrets:”
“I love it. It’s power. For some people, money and owning businesses is power. For me, it’s Marvel secrets. I swore to Kevin that I I will never let out any secrets. If that happens, I retire.”
Captain Marvel and Kamala get lots of screen time
With the movie title Wonders and not having focused on Captain Marvel herself, it seemed pretty clear from the start that the three leading ladies were going to get plenty of screen time. As a result, the film will likely be as much Carol Danvers’ story as Kamala’s or Monica’s.
Even with just two episodes, it’s pretty obvious how Ms. Marvel has kind of already created anticipation for when Kamala will finally meet her hero. The moment will no doubt pay off wonderfully – not to mention Vellani almost certainly would have channeled some of her own inner fangirl into her performance.
Given the positive way Vellani described his experience on Wonders, and with everyone involved, it looks like the next movie could be a hit – hopefully land a lot better than Larson’s first solo project. This time around, the film has the advantage of not being rushed and sandwiched between two of the greatest films of all time. Oh, and, of course, there’s Iman Vellani in it; how could something go wrong?
Ms. Marvel is now streaming, and Wonders in theaters July 28, 2023.
