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  • EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight on Revinenting Red Dagger for the MCU in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight on Revinenting Red Dagger for the MCU in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Episode 4 of Ms. Marvel introduced one of Kamala’s earliest allies from the comics, Kareem, aka Red Dagger. The show didn’t wait long, however, to make it clear that the MCU’s version of Kareem was more than a street vigilante, making him a part of an ancient organization of Pakistani heroes who have guarded the people against unseen threats.

    Kareem, and his mentor Waleed, end up playing a major role in Kamala’s journey to Karachi, educating her about the Noor Dimension from the secret lair. It’s here where the audience becomes aware that the Red Daggers on screen have been upgraded significantly and could possibly play a much larger role in Kamala’s story than in the comics. In an exclusive interview, we asked Aramis Knight, who portrayed Kareem, about the changes to the character.

    I think we’re lucky to kind of be the baseline for who these characters are. Because the comics are quite new and there aren’t a lot of them, there’s not so much to go off of. Now, I kind of feel like these characters are being created by us, which gives us a lot of creative freedom.

    Aramis Knight

    Knight went on to explain how being on set and working with Farhan Akhtar to develop an idea of who the Red Daggers were informed how he portrayed the character.

    And you’re 100% right that Kareem is shaped by his background, everybody is, and his background is dedicating his life to this society. Being able to work with Farhan and being able to wear the costume and be in Red Dagger HQ, there was like a lot of physicality to it and it wasn’t difficult at all.

    Aramis Knight

    Though we only saw Waleed for a short time and Kareem for just a bit more, it’s safe to say that the adaptation of the character from the comics, while significantly different, was well-thought-out and well-executed in the series. What role, if any, Kareem will have over there rest of the season remains to be seen, but he’s certainly fulfilled his role as a protector of the people. Episode 5 of Ms. Marvel will stream next Wednesday on Disney Plus.

  • Ms. Marvel Co-Creator on How They Approached Kamala’s New Powers in the MCU

    Ms. Marvel Co-Creator on How They Approached Kamala’s New Powers in the MCU

    As Marvel Studios’ latest series Ms. Marvel continues its run on Disney+, critics and fans alike have held near-universal praise for how much Iman Vellani’s portrayal as Kamala Khan has felt like she was just ripped from the comic pages. While some still hold questions as to why her power-set was switched from polymorphing to being able to create cosmic light constructs and why they’ve seemingly removed any connections she’s had to the Inhumans, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

    In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sana Amanat, who co-created the character in the comics, discussed her role in helping shepherd the character from the comics to the screen and some rationale for changing some of the specifics of her backstory.

    I came on for this project, specifically to shepherd it into production, and work with the writer’s room that [head writer] Bisha [K. Ali] and her team put together. They were trying to steep the story in a different kind of mythos that was one linked to larger MCU stories, but also linked a little bit to the lore of Islamic and Asian mythology. My first thought when I came in was, “well, people are going to be really mad we changed these powers.”

    Sana Amanat

    She goes on to highlight how they wanted to use the show to explore an aspect that didn’t get as much focus in the comics.

    I was very aware of what we were walking into. But supervising producer Jenna Berger understood that the show needed to have a balance of what made the comic so special and unique, while at the same time evolving it and making it a true adaptation. That was Kevin’s first challenge to me. He was like, “can you adapt this? You’re so close to the comic, do you think you can adapt this?” I think I took up to that challenge of saying, “Okay, well, the thing that captivates me the most was this story about Kamala and her lineage and her past.” There were only a few issues that were done about it in the comics. I told Bisha, “no matter what we do, the story of the show is this lineage,” which we didn’t really delve into in the comics. Yet, there’s a lot of things that they did pull from the comics that, so the essence of the comics are in the show. I think that’s really how we found that balance.

    Sana Amanet

    At least from the first four episodes of the series, there is no denying that the concept of lineage is ever-present by focusing heavily on Kamala’s distant relatives and the bracelet that connects to both her powers and her heritage. And this has generally been well received by the show’s audience, even with its deviation from the original source material.

    It certainly can be argued that tying the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Kamala Khan towards Islamic mythology is more emotionally resonant than connecting her with the Inhumans, a concept that hasn’t been established within the universe beyond the critically panned television series (that very likely will be decanonized, if it hasn’t been already). The debate about whether or not it was worth making these changes to Kamala Khan’s powers will continue (and will likely continue for the foreseeable future), but if nothing else, Sana Amanat and the team behind the Ms. Marvel series certainly have their reasoning for it.

    Source: EW

  • Merch Confirms Mark 1 Ironheart Armor for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Merch Confirms Mark 1 Ironheart Armor for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Once again, Marvel Studios has allowed first looks and teases for their upcoming projects to leak via official merchandising with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serving as the latest example. A first look at Attuma made its way online earlier and now an interesting look at some Ironheart-inspired designs that may indicate Riri Williams armor could have a Wakandan connection.

    Courtesy of MCU Facility, fans can see a “Mark 1” logo among a plethora of other logos, including the iconic panther head associated with Wakanda adorned in the red and gold colors of Iron Man. Overall, the idea seems to be that Riri will be using some of Iron Man’s spare parts to assemble her own armor…in Wakanda?

    Just why Riri might be in Wakanda in the first place is interesting enough in and of itself, but for now it looks like fans will see Ironheart suit up well ahead of her first appearance, which is still undated. Ironheart is now in production and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to hit theaters on November 11th.

  • BREAKING: First ‘Black Panther 2’ Merch Offers First Look at Attuma

    BREAKING: First ‘Black Panther 2’ Merch Offers First Look at Attuma

    We’ve heard plenty rumors that Namor would appear in Black Panther Wakanda Forever alongside ither Atlanteans like Attuma. We still haven’t gotten a first look of their design until now when merchandise found its way online featuring Attuma in all his blue glory.

    It’s a great adaptation if his design and further hints at his connection to Mesoamerican culture. So, this is our first official confirmation of his addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as that Namor will have a big role in the film.

    The hammerhead shark headpiece is a great addition that’ll add something to make him stand out. We still don’t know how they’ll explore the different races of Atlanteans in the story but this may be a hint that a first official look at Namor is on the horizon.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Co-Creator “Nervous” Ahead of Episode 5

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Co-Creator “Nervous” Ahead of Episode 5

    Ms. Marvel has been quite the enjoyable ride thus far on Disney+, earning acclaim from both critics and the character’s fans across the board. However, one of the major creatives behind the show is a little worried the series’ fifth episode will put that reputation in jeopardy. Sana Amanat co-created the character of Kamala Khan for Marvel Comics back in 2014, and is now a writer and producer for the live-action adaptation. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Amanat revealed next week’s entry to Ms. Marvel’s growing legacy might be the riskiest one yet:

    The next episode is going to be an interesting one. Full disclosure, it’s the episode I’m most nervous about. I think it’s really great, but we took some risks with that episode. So, I’m curious to know how people are going to respond to it.

    Sana Amanat

    Last we saw our intrepid heroine, she had somehow been transported back in time to a train station in Karachi. It’s still unclear whether Kamala is actually existing in the year 1947, or if the whole ordeal will simply be a wildly realistic vision. Either way, it’s implied Ms. Marvel‘s fifth episode might concern the lively protagonist learning firsthand what happened on a tragic night during Partition. Telling stories set around real historical events can be nerve-wracking, considering the genuine emotional weight that comes with diving into reality’s darkest corners. It makes sense that Amanat might be stressed about how people receive the storytelling, but with how the series has gone so far, it’s way more likely that fans will be happy with what they see.

    Ms. Marvel‘s first four episodes are now streaming on Disney+.

    Source: EW

  • EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight on South Asian Representation in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight on South Asian Representation in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    The Marvel Studios Disney Plus streaming series Ms. Marvel has opened a window into Pakistani culture, giving viewers a look at one of mainstream media’s most underrepresented communities. The cast is full of actors and actresses of South Asian origin or heritage, including Aramis Knight, who was introduced as the Red Dagger Kareem in Episode 4.

    In an exclusive interview, Knight, who is of Pakistani descent, talked about what it meant to him to be part of a show that brings South Asian culture to the masses in an unprecedented way.

    It was amazing. You know growing up I never really had a hero that I looked up to who I felt looked like me who sounded like me who was like me at all. So to be kind of able to be the first is incredible. I have family back home who are just over-the-moon-excited to see me in this show-to see me involved in this at all. Representation is so important and I’m really thankful to kind of be a pioneer of that. It’s the first time in mainstream television that you’re seeing South Asian representation. We’re super thankful for it. Honoring my grandmother in the best way I could think.

    Aramis Knight

    As director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy expressed to us in a separate interview, Ms. Marvel presents audiences with the opportunity to experience South Asian culture through experiences with Kamala Khan and her family, something that, as Knight points out, is uncommon in pop culture. Given the audience response to the show so far, those experiences have served to make the series one of Marvel Studios’ most beloved…and one that fans hope gets a second season renewal sooner rather than later.

  • Morning After Huddle: July 2nd, 2022

    Morning After Huddle: July 2nd, 2022

    It’s been a long time, and we shouldn’t have left you without a dope beat to step to, but we’re back! This is generally the calm before the storm for the NFL, right before training camp, so the stories come to a slight lull. With that said, there is still information out there if you dig like Stefon for it. Let’s deliver the goods for y’all this fine Saturday morning.

    • The disciplinary hearing for Deshaun Watson has concluded, with an expected ruling coming in July. Judge Robinson will submit the recommended consequence to the Commissioner, who has the final say on the matter. Once this happens, it will surely kick off an appeals process by Watson and his camp to get whatever the original number reduced is, because if there’s one thing Watson likes as much as struggling to see the entire field, it’s for his actions to not have any consequences.
    • Speaking of QBs, a new report from Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley talked up second-year QB Trevor Lawrence’s progression. Changing plays at the line of scrimmage and getting the ball out quicker are things the highly-touted rookie didn’t do his first year because Urban Meyer had no idea how to coach, but with Super Bowl-winning Head Coach Doug Pederson in charge and former Chargers Head Coach Mike McCoy running the offense, it stood to reason that the Jags were going to trust their young QB a lot more. With the additions on the offensive line and at WR, this could be a big second year for the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck.
    • From an Andrew Luck mention to his former team, the Indianapolis Colts are entering year one of the Matt Ryan era-an era that is off to a very good start, if you ask rookie WR Alec Pierce. Pierce joined the Pat McAfee Podcast and talked up Matty Ice’s leadership and preparation and how that’s trickled down to the rest of the team already. With Pierce hoping to carve out a starting role opposite Michael Pittman, Jr. in this Colts offense, him cozying up to Ryan is a no-brainer, but for a team that’s been let down by QBs post-luck, a locked-in Matt Ryan is their best chance at getting back to the playoffs.
    • Sticking with the AFC South and rookies, the defending division champion Tennessee Titans went through a little transition this off-season as they jettisoned their talented WR AJ Brown, replaced him with stud WR Treylon Burks and brought in some competition for incumbent QB Ryan Tannehill in the form of talented developmental prospect QB Malik Willis. It’s actually another rookie that’s impressing Titans coaches though, as RB Hasaan Haskins from the University of Michigan has drawn rave reviews from his running backs coach and the best running back in the league. Jim Wyatt of the Titans reported that Derrick Henry spoke glowingly of the rookie, and advised him to not let the moment get too big for him, as the Titans experimented with formations where they were both on the field. Henry has bucked all conventional RB logic, but if the superlatives are all true, then Willis, Haskins, and Burks could be the next generation of Titans football.
  • EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight on Working Alongside MCU Superfan Iman Vellani in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    EXCLUSIVE: Aramis Knight on Working Alongside MCU Superfan Iman Vellani in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Episode 4 of Ms. Marvel marked the MCU debut of Aramis Knight, who portrayed Kareem, one of an ancient order of Red Daggers who protect the people of Pakistan. The 22-year old Knight is another of several young actors working alongside star Iman Vellani in the show, all of whom have grown up in a world where the MCU has been front and center in mainstream entertainment.

    Knight’s role as Kareem meant that he spent a significant amount of his time on set with Vellani, who fans have learned is an absolute MCU superfan. In an exclusive interview, we asked Knight if, having grown up surrounded by the MCU, he was on Vellani’s level as a fan. “No, definitely not. I’d be lying if I said I was“, said Knight. “But also, there’s few people in the world who are on Iman’s level of MCU fan, so it’s a tough act to follow, but she definitely taught me a lot about the universe.“

    Knight went on to praise his co-star’s complete grasp of not only her role but also the MCU and the character’s place within it.

    I’m really happy to be involved and also have her there because she, like, creatively, understands the show so much. Honestly, at this point, she should just be a producer as well because she is so well-versed in the universe. She completely understands the role that Kamala plays and she really just is Kamala. It’s absolutely amazing and I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role at all.

    Aramis Knight

    Through 4 episodes, Ms. Marvel has continued to receive high praise from both fans and critics and Vellani has been at the center of it all. Marvel Studios President Kevin Fiege has also mentioned how well-versed Vellani is in the MCU and, according to Knight, her presence in the series is also helping to raise everyone else’s game as well. As Knight says, it’s hard to imagine anyone else inhabiting the role now that fans have seen Vellani in it.

  • Christian Bale on Why He Was the Perfect Choice for ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Gorr the God Butcher

    Christian Bale on Why He Was the Perfect Choice for ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Gorr the God Butcher

    Many wondered what magic director Taika Waititi pulled off to convince Christian Bale to once again return to the world of comic book adaptations. He gave us an iconic version of Batman in Christopher Nolan‘s iconic The Dark Knight Trilogy and has now set his eyes on giving us what could potentially become Marvel Studios’ best villain yet in Gorr the God Butcher.

    Now, the question is on how they decided that Bale was the perfect choice to bring the character to life. Funny enough, he got a chance to answer that very question and pretty much highlighted that the goal was for him to bring a character to life that is the perfect opposite of Chris Hemsworth, though he also has some fun with the answer during the official press conference.

    I think, you know, you were talking about what everyone was looking for in Chris. I think in Gorr, they look for an actor polar opposite.  Someone not relatable, a bit of a loner, creepy, someone no one wants to be around, and nobody wants to see his ass.  And so, I think they went, “Yeah, we found it in Bale.”

    Christian Bale

    The aspect of Gorr being a “loner, creepy, someone no one wants to be around” is a rather curious reveal and likely his approach to the character from the approach. His design as revealed int he second trailer definitely hints at Bale‘s take on Gorr being more of a loner, whose storyline may connect to the romantic comedy aspect that the franchise is going for. Still, Bale certainly sounded like he had some fun with his response even if it may offer our first real glimpse on how he approached bringing the character to life on the silver screen.

  • REVIEW: ‘Stranger Things 4’ Final Episode Were Worth The Wait

    REVIEW: ‘Stranger Things 4’ Final Episode Were Worth The Wait

    Finally, after a prolonged wait, we got our hands on the final two episodes of Stranger Things‘ fourth season. After ending its first part on quite the high note, we’ve only had two more episodes left that would wrap up the storyline around the latest threat to Hawkins in the form of Vecna, or the originator of eleven’s powers as we’ve gone on to learn. Could the final episodes provide that send-off ahead of the final season that we’ve been waiting for?

    As I pointed out in my review of the first part, there’s a lot the first part did right but it also suffered ab it from juggling way too many subplots throughout the season. It mostly was the result of scattering its cast across the United States and Russia, but it still offered some memorable set pieces and moments throughout; there’s a reason Running Up That Hill is back in the charts. The highs were definitely high but it still stumbled at times. In a way, the final two episodes continue that trend but pull it all together with a strong emotional finale.

    Vecna once again proves why he is the threat that he is, as the team tries to put together a plan to take him down before he can enact his plan. There are times when we’re playing catch up with the big reveal of what he’s up to, everyone preparing for thSurprisingly,fore we head into the Upside Down. It’s surprising they didn’t set up the final episode as its second part as a movie finale, a lot is going on in its two-hour-plus run time. Still, there’s a lot going on with many of the subplots “kind” of coming together.

    The time spent in Russia with Hopper, Joyce, and Murray still feels disconnected from the rest. Though it ends up with one of the most visually stunning moments in the finale as Hoppeets that moment. So, it definitely delivers in the ways that you want it to. Also, Hopper and Joyce getting the moment everyone has been waiting for was the tip of the iceberg to make you forget that it’s just very loosely connected to the overarching storyline. Who knows if it feeds into the finale more. But I also won’t complain about more Brett Gelman‘s Murray in the Netflix series.

    Millie Bobbie Brown once again gives it her all as Eleven, as she not only has to find a way to help her friends but also faces the consciences of her own actions. The biggest selling point of this season was the connection between her past and the events that continue to unfold throughout Hawkins. Vecna has a personal grudge after the reveal we got last time, and she gets her moments to shine. I still think her character going back a few steps to move forward was a bit of a shame.

    Also, it should be once again highlighted how Jamie Campbell Bower continues to be a great antagonist in the series. The reveal from the last “finale” was a powerful one but I do continue to feel that the character is still a bit too “human” to compete with some of the iconic monsters that we’ve seen throughout past seasons. There’s an additional reveal in these moments that could’ve easily been kept in the actual reveal of this season, but I hope it gets further explored due to the implications for the final season moving forward.

    There are a lot of standouts in this season, but Joseph Quinn‘s Eddie Munson swiftly became a fan favorite for a reason this season. Probably the fastest turnover for a character in the show with a beautiful arc that came together nicely towards the end. His rock-out moment that was teased in trailers made for a memorable moment and wished there was more of it. The same goes for Eduardo Franco‘s Argyle who probably had some of the funniest moments throughout.

    Though, the season continues to belong to Sadie Sink and Natalia Dyer‘s Nancy Wheeler, who continue to pull some powerful performances. The latter gets a truly badass time to shine while Sink‘s Max Mayfield offers that emotional gut punch we got from her earlier in the season. It’s hard not to talk about who gives some of the strongest performances throughout without giving anything away, but the final moments definitely hit the right notes.

    Overall, the season has been strong but with some bumps along the way. In a way, the same is true for the final two episodes. Its emotional moments are the ones that truly hit strong and will play with your heart. Parts of it definitely bank on the Netflix show’s strengths and also let the series breathe where it needs to. We’re definitely entering the final part of this journey and if this season is anything to go by, we’ll likely be fighting back tears as the final moments wrap up over an upside-down Hawkins. I for one cannot wait to see how they wrap up this story.