Tag: Ms. Marvel

  • Samuel L. Jackson Has Begun Work on ‘The Marvels’ Reshoots

    Samuel L. Jackson Has Begun Work on ‘The Marvels’ Reshoots

    Reshoots have become a common occurrence for any Marvel Cinematic Universe project. So, it’s no surprise that the cast and crew of The Marvels have returned to give the production another go. Nick Fury actor Samuel L. Jackson has revealed that he has begun working on reshoots for the upcoming Captain Marvel sequel in a recent Instagram post. However, Jackson does not offer any details on the reshoots.

    As previously mentioned, it is pretty common for Marvel projects to enter some form of additional photography. The purpose of these reshoots is usually to assist the production team by adding elements that either could not get filmed due to scheduling conflicts, or that would help to streamline the project. The majority of modern blockbusters are screen tested, allowing the teams to get a sense for how audiences react, which they use to tweak the film.

    The Marvels is an interesting type of sequel, as it technically continues what was set up in Captain Marvel back in 2019, while also incorporating two characters that were introduced in Disney+ shows. Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani are set to make their MCU silver-screen debut as Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan respectively in the film.

    So, it is going to be quite the challenge to bring these projects together while still keeping the story focused on whatever threat they are going to face. But with recent rumors suggesting the film will partially be a musical, fans can expect a wild ride when The Marvels hits theaters on July 28, 2023.

    Source: Instagram

  • New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Concept Art Teases Alternative Powers Inspired by Video Games

    New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Concept Art Teases Alternative Powers Inspired by Video Games

    The new powers by Ms. Marvel were certainly something that had people up in arms ever since the first tease leaked long before the show ever aired on Disney+. Purple constructs have seemingly become a new part of her base ability that also lend themselves to further exploring their origins. Not only did they take a new direction with her origin, but it seems the powers went through quite a few variations.

    Visual Development Supervisor Jackson Sze shared a look at what was one of the earlier designs for Ms. Marvel”s abilities that seems closer to a video game-inspired take. The way her powers leave an entire trail seems almost like they were going to take some inspiration from Super Mario or Sonic in how they manifest.

    https://twitter.com/JacksonSze/status/1549411402267238401

    The visuals actually look great but it’s unclear what may have inspired their direction to give it a purple glow. They may have also wanted to save money to avoid having too many glowing constructs demanding a lot of on-screen presence. Ms. Marvel did offer a unique take on what it means to be a superhero and explored the relevance of history influencing people in the modern day.

    There’s still no announcement for a second season, but here’s hope that they may have the interest to expand the project even as the show didn’t break any real records when it comes to its viewer base. However, the stronger focus on Gen Z viewers may have given them the possibility to expand the viewer base for future Marvel projects.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 6.2

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 6.2

    With Ms. Marvel’s Episode 6 and finale, entitled “No Normal”, the series’ connection to Ms. Marvel comics continues to be present, in both major and subtle ways. In Episode 1, we looked at how the series adapted from the comics the moment Kamala’s powers were activated; for Episode 2 we delved into the comics’ and series’ introduction and handling so far of the character Kamranin Episode 3 we looked at the interesting source material for the series’ villains, the Clandestinesand in Episode 4 we went into how Red Daggers were introduced and how they compare to the comics’ Red Dagger. As for Episode 5, following our dive into Kamala’s ancestors during Partition, we also looked at some Bruno-centric plotlines the series may have invoked or started.

    The first From Page to Screen for the Ms. Marvel finale focused on the episode’s inclusion of major aspects of Ms. Marvel lore. In particular, we looked at the significance of Kamala saying “embiggen” and how Kamala got her “Ms. Marvel” name in the live-action series. In this article, however, we spend time on more subtle references that maybe were only apparent to more hardcore fans of Ms. Marvel comics.

    It All Ends In High School

    Many of the other obvious references to Ms. Marvel comics in the finale were based on well-known plots or arcs that were significantly altered—but included—in the finale. Fans of the first Ms. Marvel (2014) run will no doubt remember that that very run ended with the incursion that led into Secret Wars (2015). In this part of her story, Kamala also met Carol Danvers for the first time, and the eeriness of the pre-incursion madness made for a phenomenal read.

    But a major moment in those last few issues of Ms. Marvel (2014) revolves around Jersey City’s response to the incoming incursion. While the world is panicking and preparing emotionally for the end of the world, Jersey City congregates in Coles Academic High School at the request of Ms. Marvel. The community, even those normally opposed to one another, come together to create a space for supplies, worship, and comfort.

    It is a very different situation in Ms. Marvel, but the fact remains that the main characters sought refuge in the high school in the midst of the series’ final threat. The high school setting, of course, calls the comics into mind. But the fact that practically the whole ensemble gets involved in the Department of Damage Control “battle” also invokes the imagery of a community coming together in support of Ms. Marvel.

    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

    Zoe Zimmerman’s Change of Heart

    Almost out of nowhere in the finale, Zoe Zimmerman because a friend rather than a foe. In Ms. Marvel comics, she had a personality overhaul after the traumatizing events of the incursion and became an activist-type who was self-aware of her prior bullying behaviors and worked to move past that time in her life. We can see some of this new change begin to happen in the last moments of Ms. Marvel, where she appears to be using her social platform for good to specifically amplify Nakia’s voice in on video.

    Ms. Marvel #19 (2014)
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

    She became a main figure in Kamala’a social group, along with Bruno and Nakia. Zoe’s further character development later involved her coming out as gay. Her unrequited crush on Nakia was a subplot that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking in some of the most high-school-type ways. Interestingly, the way the two characters interact at the tail end of the Ms. Marvel finale could be hinting at this development down the line in future projects. 

    “He Multiplies Now?”

    One small mention in the high school sequence of the finale came when DODC agents wondered if the suspect(s) could multiply because our characters were wearing identical outfits and the agents had no idea what was going on. It does bring to mind an interesting arc in Ms. Marvel #4-6 (2015) where Bruno created essentially low-functioning clones of Kamala, at first in an effort for Kamala to meet all of her school, family, and superhero responsibilities. The clones ultimately go out of control and essentially took over Jersey City. Captain Marvel and Iron Man eventually had to bail her out, reminding her that she is still human and needs help sometimes…and it also leads into Civil War II.

    Ms. Marvel #5 (2015)

    Ms. Marvel is now streaming on Disney+.

  • New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Concept Art Reveals Alternative Captain Marvel Cosplay

    New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Concept Art Reveals Alternative Captain Marvel Cosplay

    Ms. Marvel just recently came to an end and wrapped up the Disney+ series on a high note. What started off with some of the most memorable entries for Marvel Studios’ venture into long-form storytelling, introducing the world to one of its most culturally relevant. We even get a fun version of Kamala Khan’s time admiring Captain Marvel and see her cosplaying as the hero during Avenger Con.

    Now, artist Karla Ortiz took to her Twitter page to share a new look at some alternative Captain Marvel cosplays that Kamala would’ve worn. Considering Brie Larson‘s hero wore a surprising amount of costumes throughout, it does seem like they played around with which color tone they’d might take with the character.

    https://twitter.com/kortizart/status/1549147433690546176

    Here’s hoping we get some more concept art that teases how the original plan was for the series to develop. You never know what may have changed from the conceptual time mapping out the project to bring it to life. Ms. Marvel was also affected by COVID which likely led to quite a few changes happening as they mapped out their scripts but adapted to whatever was possible.

    It’s still crazy to think that our first look at Ms. Marvel was during 2020’s Disney Investors Day before we even saw a single thing from Hawkeye. They likely had to adapt some aspects of the project and were adjusting to whatever the pandemic had heading their way. So, who knows just how much it may have changed, which is always an exciting prospect as well.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Star Opens Up on Kamran’s True Intentions

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Star Opens Up on Kamran’s True Intentions

    Ms. Marvel was a strong show that not only explored a powerful moment in Pakistani history but also a strong family show. Among all Marvel studios’ projects, this one is the most grounded with its exploration of what it means to be family. While the Clandestine didn’t get as much development as hoped, we still got a great addition in Kamran, who was played by young actor Rish Sha. In an interview with THR, the actor got a chance to talk about his character’s role and his true intentions.

    There definitely is a difference. In the comics, he is a villain. He’s manipulative, and he uses Kamala. Whereas in the show, he’s actually coming from a very pure place and a very genuine place of just wanting to belong and feel at home, and he has this immediate connection with Kamala across multiple fields. And then, obviously, by the end of the show, he’s able to share the connection of the Noor by having these powers and newfound abilities.

    Rish Shah

    He does add that Kamran’s moral compass isn’t as straightforward as Kamala’s, who has a good head on her shoulders. That distinction, especially with their very different family dynamics, adds to him actually being a guy with good intentions.

    He definitely has a skewed moral compass and he’s definitely a bit more unsure of where he stands, but he does make that decision really early on to betray his family and protect Kamala. So that’s quite a big decision, and hopefully, that shows that he’s actually a good guy with good intentions.

    Rish Shah

    Shah also shared how he interpreted Kamran’s motivation and generally how he was inspired to tackle the character for his first live-action venture.

    Yeah, I played it as genuine in my mind, but it’s nice that it’s up for debate. It’s always interesting when you have a character with a bit more complexity to them and their intentions, so it’s nice that it can swing both ways. Hopefully, it’s more engaging and interesting. But in my mind, he was genuinely just connecting with someone. Iman said this before about Kamala, but she hasn’t been able to spend time in her high school life around someone else who is able to just openly and confidently talk about their culture, specifically. So I think Kamran has felt the same way.

    Rish Shah

    The series ended in a way that opens up on a way to allow his character to further develop in whichever direction he wants. He could potentially become a member of the Red Dagger to find his own place in the world, or perhaps even further explore what exactly the Noor universe is all about. So, they definitely left the door open for many different angles to take the character.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Teases Kamala Will Gain Even More “Spectacular Power” in the Future

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Teases Kamala Will Gain Even More “Spectacular Power” in the Future

    Ms. Marvel recently ended its run on Disney+ as one of the most critically well-received Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series made viewers fall in love with Kamala Khan and get invested in the mysterious unraveling of what exactly her powers are. By the end of the show, audiences are already excited at seeing what comes next for Kamala in The Marvels. Iman Vellani will star alongside Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, who appeared in the final post-credits scene of Ms. Marvel.

    Kamala’s powers in the MCU raised a lot of eyebrows and questions. First, there were significantly different from the abilities and origin she had in the comics. But Ms. Marvel also dropped the huge fact that Kamala may be a mutant in the MCU, and it never fully explained her powers and her Clandestine background. Some of this was due to time constraints for the series, but the series’ director Adil El Arbi recently told The Direct that fans have quite a bit to look forward to regarding Kamala’s powers going forward. El Arbi stated:

    And I think, power-wise, we saw just the tip of the iceberg of Kamala Khan. I think there is so much more she can do, and on that front, I think there’s a big road for that, some more spectacular power.”

    Adil El Arbi

    Considering Kamala’s powers were introduced and developed in a fairly unique way in the MCU, it makes sense that we are not done learning about them. The series’ creators previously mentioned that Ms. Marvel’s new MCU powers were, in part, meant to help the character fit in better with The Marvels. Director Billal Fallah added that her power growth will result in “a great can of action sequences.” The promise of Kamala’s abilities evolution certainly begs the question of whether she will ultimately have powers on par with Captain Marvel, who is arguably one of the strongest characters in the MCU.

    Ms. Marvel is now streaming in its entirety on Disney+. The Marvels is scheduled to hit theaters on July 28, 2023.

    Source: The Direct

  • Embiggening ‘Ms Marvel’s Season Would Have Made It Even Greater

    Embiggening ‘Ms Marvel’s Season Would Have Made It Even Greater

    Over the last two weeks, comic book fans were treated to two major season finales — The Boys on Amazon and Ms. Marvel on Disney Plus. And both, in their own respective ways, delivered, despite being geared to two totally different viewer demographics and adapting two totally different flavors of source material. However, despite its high praise — the show currently sits at a 98% critics consensus — only Ms. Marvel has had to grapple with the overarching questions that plague the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 enterprise as a whole, namely whether it did enough to not only advance the story of its title character across a satisfying season of television, but also progress the phase’s meta-narrative. And while it may not be fair to put that pressure on any one show, the truth is, that’s always been part of the promise in an MCU offering. Film or series, the story is expected to succeed on its own while also succeeding within a massive serialized storytelling apparatus.

    Seven shows and eighteen months in, then, it’s worth assessing whether the Disney Plus structure has done enough to position its MCU series to succeed. And in particular, whether the SIX-EPISODE structure has done those series any favors. Because, unlike Ms. Marvel, The Boys, like Peacemaker before it, presented audiences with stories told over eight episodes, and it was able to dive deeper into the internal motivations of its leads, all while also doing the requisite amount of worldbuilding, new character introduction, and progression of supporting character arcs that we expect from great television.

    In the cases of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which functioned as an extended prologue for Captain America 4, and Loki, which served as a bridge between Avengers: Endgame and the Multiverse Saga to come (not to mention its own second season), Marvel’s stumbles with respect to telling a six-part episodic story weren’t as damning as they could’ve been. But in the case of Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and now Ms. Marvel, which were all intended to be launching pads for new characters, the fact that certain aspects of the plot had to be sloppily executed and certain antagonists had to be left underdeveloped in order to get our main arcs to their respective endpoints hampered the final product.

    In contrast, WandaVision, due to its unique sitcom structure, was afforded an additional three episodes to stretch its legs before diving into the six-part sprint we’ve now grown accustomed to. And while it admittedly didn’t fully stick the landing with respect to its climactic action, it ended on a tremendously satisfying emotional note for our lead characters, and it gave audiences enough insight into what Agatha Harkness and Monica Rambeau’s respective arcs might be to provide emotional stakes for wherever their next steps take them. And of course, the series was able to address the state of the world post-Blip and how the status quo had changed.

    Had Ms. Marvel been afforded an additional two or three episodes to tell its story, the writers would have gotten the opportunity to flesh out what exactly the Clandestines’ motivations were, so that Najma wouldn’t have seemed so one-dimensional, and her villainous turn less abrupt and nonsensical. One more episode in Karachi would have given us more insight into the Red Daggers’ organization and the opportunity for Waleed and Kareem to be made even more compelling as mentors and allies to Kamala. Affording an entire episode to the Partition would have allowed the emotional climax of that story to breathe, instead of abruptly transitioning into poorly articulated Noor mumbo-jumbo which completely undercut the tragic star-crossed love story between Aisha and Hasan, and the part Kamala got to play in it. Not to mention, more time would have given the show more space to explore Kamala’s friendship dynamics, particularly concerning Nakia and Zoe, who not only proved to be bright spots in the finale but also play significant roles in the comics. In short, the things the show did well, we would have been able to luxuriate in, and with respect to the things it didn’t do well, there would have been more time allotted to fixing them.

    Again, this is not to say that any of the MCU series have been bad. However, they’ve all been limited in certain respects, and six episodes hampers the storytellers’ ability to serve their characters in a satisfying way. (What If…? both as an animated series and a hybrid of an anthology show and a serialized show had its own unique challenges, even with nine episodes to work with.) And in the case of Ms. Marvel, while we do expect there to be a second season (which will clearly take place sometime after The Marvels, based on the stinger), some elements of this season can’t be revisited and retroactively improved. Especially when the “mutation” revelation has rendered some questions moot. So its flaws are its flaws, no matter what comes next. But hopefully, a nine-episode season of She-Hulk, paced differently from the six-episode breakneck pace that the other shows have struggled under, will convince Kevin Feige and the producing brain trust that the MCU’s characters — especially ones as thematically rich as Kamala Khan — need at least eight episodes each season to fully flesh their stories out. And then we can look forward to an embiggened Season 2.

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 6.1

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 6.1

    With Ms. Marvel’s Episode 6 and finale, entitled “No Normal”, the series’ connection to Ms. Marvel comics continues to be present, in both major and subtle ways. In Episode 1, we looked at how the series adapted from the comics the moment Kamala’s powers were activated; for Episode 2 we delved into the comics’ and series’ introduction and handling so far of the character Kamranin Episode 3 we looked at the interesting source material for the series’ villains, the Clandestinesand in Episode 4 we went into how Red Daggers were introduced and how they compare to the comics’ Red Dagger. As for Episode 5, following our dive into Kamala’s ancestors during Partition, we also looked at some Bruno-centric plotlines the series may have invoked or started.

    The finale had numerous references to Ms. Marvel comics, particularly its first 2014 run, though with plenty of references to the 2015 run as well. Like last week, this week will feature two From Page to Screen entries. In this article, we focus on two of the most obvious and major connections—Kamala’s powers and her Ms. Marvel mantle.

    “Embiggen”

    Those maybe less familiar with Ms. Marvel comics may have been caught slightly off guard when Kamala, seemingly out of nowhere, says, “embiggen” before using her light powers to essentially construct a massive version of herself. Now, “embiggen” is not its own word capable of ascertaining much meaning outside of Kamala in the comics. As we’ve discussed before, the power changes made from comics Ms.Marvel to live-action Ms. Marvel were significant. In the comics, her powers were called embiggening. In the DIsney+ series, we know that she summons power from the Noor Dimension to create hard light constructs.

    As different as those two power sets are, the series clearly has tried to link the two in some ways. When Kamala stretches her light constructs in a way that looks like an extended arm and fist, it invokes her embiggening powers in the comics. The live-action version of “embiggen” was Kamala’s use of her powers to essentially grow herself into a much more formidable and in-control being. While the seemingly abrupt “embiggen” did not make a ton of sense in the context of the show, it was one of the biggest pieces of fan service that anyone familiar with comics Ms. Marvel would have cheered at. 

    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

    “Ms. Marvel”

    One of the mysteries of Ms. Marvel was how Kamala would end up with the name of “Ms. Marvel”. In the comics, Carol Danvers had previously used the moniker, and that was essentially the whole story. In live-action, Carol Danvers was always only Captain Marvel. Many fan theories suggested that the name would come from something family-based, as the show’s themes focused heavily on that topic. Moreover, names like “Ms. Marvel” are becoming a bit outdated now, so it would need to be something personal and loving.

    Ms. Marvel #5 (2014)

    And indeed the answer came in the finale that Kamala’s parents apparently nicknamed her “Ms. Marvel” as a young girl, based on the rough/expansive meaning of “Kamala.” An Arabic name, “Kamala” translates to “perfection”, which Kamala’s father tells her in Ms. Marvel #5 (2014). In Ms. Marvel, that same conversation takes place, though her dad expands upon it. He suggests that the “perfection” translation does not quite do it justice and that it also meant “marvel.” “Ms. Marvel” became a pet name from her parents, and Kamala seized on the opportunity to share the same name with Carol Danvers.

    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

    Ms. Marvel is now streaming exclusively on Disney+.

  • Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 24: Teaming-Up with Ms. Marvel

    Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 24: Teaming-Up with Ms. Marvel

    Anthony Canton III on Layla El-Faouly

    I can imagine a world where Ms. Marvel has a longer Season 2 in episodes and a more expansive story. There feels like more to explore in Karachi. As Kamala continues to learn more about her family legacy she could run into another hero while she’s there. Enter the Scarlet Scarab.

    One of the more curious decisions in the Moon Knight finale was not seeing where Layla El-Faouly is going next. We get the line when the young girl is asking Layla if she’s an Egyptian superhero and she says yes. How about Kamala and Layla run a quick mission spanning two episodes?

    Layla could be in town searching for something or someone and happen to run into Kamala. Culturally it would be an excellent moment to continue telling these stories of representation. You can also simultaneously continue Ms. Marvel’s story and have a streamline into what could be next for Layla and Moon Knight. I also imagine the two would have fun conversations about growing up and what type of hero they want to be.

    Dalbin Osorio on Ironheart

    Dominique Thorne and Iman Vellani are both magic, and I cannot wait to see Ironheart and Ms. Marvel interact.  Seeing these two legacy heroes, with potential connections to Kang. trying to navigate the world they’ve grown up in with these heroes they’ve looked up to (assuming Ironheart respects Tony and doesn’t despise him) will be something special. Being the heroes that follow the past and future of the MCU is weighty enough, but when we factor in that they will arguably be the most powerful heroes in their generation, the possibilities are endless. What’s even cooler is that these are two girls of color that will give more girls of color more heroes to look up to, and the MCU deserves more representation.

    Mary Maerz on Captain America

    I would love to see Kamala Khan and Sam Wilson meet and work together. Kamala would without a doubt have some sweet and humorous fangirl reactions to meeting Captain America. In the comics, Kamala often had a very wholesome relationship with Tony Stark/Iron Man while she was an Avenger. We no longer have Tony or Iron Man, but Sam Wilson as Cap seems like he could take on that mentor role phenomenally. A lot of Kamala’s struggles with who she looked up to involved comic events like Civil War II, which so far do not look like they will play much if any role in the near future. So, with no current sides being drawn between the above-the-line Avengers, there is no reason Sam could not, to some extent, take Kamala under his literal wing. Sam is a phenomenal character whose future I am also very excited for, and I think their relationship could easily bring out some of the best and most inspiring aspects of each of them.

    MTF III on America Chavez

    No matter what you think of MCU Phase 4 as a whole, there’s no denying that Iman Vellani and Xochitl Gomez have been delightful, both in and out of character. But while Ms. Marvel was able to firmly ensconce Kamala in a Jersey City that feels vibrant and culturally rich, where we last left America Chavez at the end of Multiverse of Madness wasn’t nearly as character-enriching. And while it’s certainly possible that our star-punching firecracker can establish found family among grown adult sorcerers in Kamer Taj, placing America alongside characters her age in a diverse city filled with people she can potentially converse with in Spanish will be far more beneficial for her in the long run. And the commonalities and contrasts between South Asian and Latinx cultures can lend more depth and meaning to their interactions, both for the characters themselves, and for the viewers. 

    On the superpower side, we were able to see Kamala level up considerably across a handful of episodes of her show. Those of us who are fans of America in the comics know what she is capable of, so seeing her level up alongside a fellow potential Young Avenger while they trade quips would only serve to endear us to America more as she actualizes, and to Kamala more as she gets to nerd out with tandem attacks and training in the way that only a hardcore comics/superhero fan can. Just imagine the wacky fun she could cook up, which America would be more than inclined to try. And imagine the universes they could jump into and trouble they could find, all between 3:00 and curfew. Sign me up for #AmeriKhan — there’s a portmanteau, so you know it works.

    Torbjorn Frazier on Loki

    Kamala Khan and Loki Laufeyson are the odd couple partnership the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) deserves. Maybe besides Steve Rogers, there isn’t a character in the MCU that personifies pure good morality as a superhero more than Ms. Marvel. And pairing her with the literal God of Mischief would provide each other the perfect foil for one another and could become an instant fan-favorite partnership. The themes of family are critical to both characters in extremely different ways, and gaining understanding about each other’s experience would provide interesting perspective and growth for both Kamala and Loki. In addition, Bisha K. Ali has experience writing for both of these characters on their respective Disney+ shows which could help ensure a strong tonal fit for a hypothetical team-up. While it would take a relatively major shuffling of the deck in the MCU to allow Ms. Marvel and Loki to team-up, it’d certainly be a worthwhile viewing experience (and potentially set the stage for a Kid Loki to fit into a Young Avengers line-up down the road).

    Charles Murphy on Shang-Chi

    Kamala Khan and Shang-Chi don’t have an awful lot in common. One was trained to be an assassin and grew up in a household shattered by the murder of his mother. The other grew up in a household full of love while fangirling over Carol Danvers and other superheroes. But both of them now possess ancient alien artifacts of enormous power that have pushed them into a world they weren’t quite ready for. Ms. Marvel seemed to set the table a little for this team-up when the Ten Rings logo was seen on the cave floor where the bangle was found, but right now it’s not entirely clear where that will go. Whatever the case, seeing these get these two heroes together on screen seems to be nothing more than a matter of time.

  • ‘WandaVision’ to ‘Ms. Marvel’: How Marvel Studios Pulled Off the Mutant Long-Con

    ‘WandaVision’ to ‘Ms. Marvel’: How Marvel Studios Pulled Off the Mutant Long-Con

    Here we are, in the middle of Year 2 of Marvel Studios’ Phase 4 rollout. Ms. Marvel has found her way into live-action with Iman Vellani taking on the role of the popular Muslim-American superhero. Earl yon, there were many concerns regarding the changes to her abilities and new direction for the character Plus, it made many wonders if the Inhumans part of her backstory would even get explored as the series seemingly hyperfocused on her connection to the wider MCU. Well, the final episode revealed that they are taking quite a different direction.

    Finally, ever since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the X-Men and Mutants have long been awaited in the franchise. While we’re seeing an “it wasn’t that bad” nostalgia making the rounds, there have been many theories on when exactly we’ll see the revelation of the mutants existing in the MCU. Little did we know, it would involve a character that was famously a NuHuman in the comics.

    What makes it stand out is that Marvel Studios played quite the long con with this revelation. Everyone had two very specific projects in mind that would lead to their arrival. The first was the assumption that WandaVision, especially with its House of M influences, would do a twist that unleashes the mutant gene throughout the world. Yet, nothing came of it. The series was surrounded by quite a few fan theories that didn’t turn out to be true, such as the arrival of Mephisto.

    So, everyone’s next best bet was the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Not only was Patrick Stewart‘s return as Professor X teased but also the concept of the multiverse taking centerstage. In a surprisingly personal storyline for Wanda and Strange, we do get our first official mutant in the MCU, but it is part of another dimension without any real hint on how he might tie into the world. The only thing is that his arrival is tied together with a familiar sound bit, the iconic X-Men ’97 theme song.

    While some would simply point out this being introduced for the sake of nostalgia, it actually turns out to play a key role in Marvel Studios’ strategy. They took the long route around and instead of just rushing them out, they keep their focus on what they had mapped out long before the purchase was even finalized. Yet, they also set the ideas that would slowly connect the pieces as necessary were actually set in the projects that people were annoyed didn’t flat out confirm it.

    WandaVision already introduced the concept of an inherent gene that is unlocked through an external source, in Wanda’s case the Mind Stone. It stands out that there is an implication that she’s used her hex powers long before they were truly unlocked and it simply sped up something that was already in her genetics. So, we technically already got the hint that she’s very likely a mutant even if it’s not directly spelled out.

    So, we have the base concept hinted at and all we really need is a true indicator. Luckily, Doctor Strange introduced us to the MCU’s leitmotif for the mutants. Instead of inventing a new one that some might not truly connect with the concept, they used elements from one that was quite popular back in the day. It’s not purely for nostalgic reasons, but it also is easy for many viewers to make the connections. So, Professor X’s arrival with that leitmotif sets up the first use of the wording “mutation” within the MCU in Ms. Marvel.

    No matter how you feel about Phase 4, Marvel Studios has slowly left the small details that would eventually build up to the grand confirmation. Mutants are coming and it’s not a coincidence that many different elements played a role throughout Phase 4. The only question now remains on what exactly may be the next step for their arrival. While we still don’t have an announcement for an X-Men film, the rumors surrounding Namor’s arrival in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is possibly another step in their introduction, as he was known as “the first mutant” in the comics due to debuting in 1939. So, perhaps the puzzle pieces were always there.