Tag: Ms. Marvel

‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 4

With Ms. Marvel’s Episode 4, entitled “Seeing Red,” the series’ connection to Ms. Marvel comics is on full display. 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 Kamran; and in Episode 3 we looked at the interesting source material for the series’ villains, the Clandestines. This week, we look at the Red Dagger(s) introduced and how they compare to Red Dagger in the comics.

Ms. Marvel #23 (2017)

In the show, Kamala meets the Red Dagger while in Karachi. When she is investigating the train station looking for answers about the train in her vision, she is attacked by the Red Dagger. He then reveals that he knew she was Djinn because he could sense the Noor energy she was using. When he found out she was related to Aisha, he took her to the base of the Red Daggers where she met fellow Red Dagger Waleed. He explained to her that Clandestines come from another dimension that exists all around ours, but with a veil of energy that separates the two.

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 4

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 4

Red Dagger and Kamala bond in civilian mode as he introduces her to his friends at a bonfire. Ultimately, by the end of Episode 4, the Clandestines had tracked down Kamala and attacked the group, seemingly killing Waleed before Kamala is transported to what appears to be a 1947 Karachi train station.

What They Kept From the Comics

Ms. Marvel #12 (2016)

Ms. Marvel #12 (2016)

Ms. Marvel #12 (2016)

In Ms. Marvel, Kamala also meets Red Dagger while visiting Karachi. She does not know his true identity for quite some time, but his name is Kareem and he is a family friend. He acts as a vigilante in Karachi similar to how Ms. Marvel patrols Jersey City.

His look and skillset are incredibly comic accurate, and his role in Kamala’s life may track that seen in the comics. The two were introduced in both iterations when Kamala visited Karachi in an attempt to figure out who she was. In the comics, Kareem gave her a new and optimistic perspective on her role as a superhero in Jersey City. Here, he may ultimately be a significant spark in Kamala fully embracing her hero identity.

Ms. Marvel #23 (2017)

Kareem is also a romantic interest for Kamala in the comics, and subtle hints of that can be picked up in Episode 4. Kareem is an instrumental figure in advancing Kamala and Bruno’s romantic storyline—Kareem ends up living in Jersey City for some time, creating a love triangle—which is certainly a dynamic Ms. Marvel seems like it could lean into.

Ms. Marvel #23 (2017)

Ms. Marvel #29 (2018)

Ms. Marvel #29 (2018)

What They Changed

The most obvious difference between the live-action and the comics is that Ms. Marvel introduced the Red Daggers as a society with advanced technology working to protect people from things that cannot be seen. In Ms. Marvel comics, Red Dagger is simply Kareem, who is a solo vigilante-type hero. The dramatic expansion of Red Dagger in the live-action likely speaks to the need to aid and support Kamala’s mysterious and complex background/origin mystery. Introducing the Red Daggers certainly seems to have added to and advanced that aspect of the story, while still paying homage to the source material.

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 4

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 4

As to other differences, in Ms. Marvel, Kamala meets Kareem/Red Dagger extremely early on in her hero journey. She does not even have the Ms. Marvel mantle yet or donned a full costume. In the comics, she meets him as a well-established hero and Avenger struggling to come to terms with her self-identity and confidence as a hero.

In her meetings with Red Dagger, she learns humility when she botches a hero job in Karachi because she did not understand the workings of the area. In Jersey City, she struggled with feeling replaceable as Red Dagger immediately got the media’s attention after they stopped a runaway train.

Ms. Marvel #12 (2016)

Ms. Marvel #24 (2017)

The character’s story will continue throughout the rest of Ms. Marvel at least, but there is every reason to believe Red Dagger can serve as a sort of reflection point for Kamala like he does in the comics, but with more emphasis on her beginnings and growth into a superhero in the first place.

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 4

The first four episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+.

July 4, 2022
‘Ms. Marvel’ Producer Hopes to Further Explore the Order of the Red Daggers in the Future

In the latest episode of Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan makes her travel home to not only face the visions she’s had of the Partition but also look beyond her home to see how the rest of the world faces its own heroes. In the case of Pakistan, they have the Order of the Red Daggers, which help our young heroine to understand the dangers she is facing.

In an interview with EW, Sana Amanat shared some thoughts on the idea of the Red Daggers, highlighting Sabir Pirzada’s excitement of bringing them to life and how exploring Pakistan “feels like a season 2 thing and we did it in one season.” Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and the writing team were quite excited to tackle their story. Of course, the same goes for Amanat.

I’m a huge fan of the Red Daggers. I love making them an order. The only thing is, if you asked me what I wish that we had more time for, it would be delving into the backstory of The Order of the Red Daggers, because there’s a lot more that we were percolating on that we just didn’t have time to shoot, frankly. But I love their team-up. I know everyone’s talking about there being a romantic interest, but there isn’t right now. Okay? Everyone’s like, “really, three boys?” But we intentionally pulled back on that.
Sana Amanat

She also highlights how they approached their introduction to offer some more insight into Kamala embracing her roots, as well as what it means to be part of something much greater.

The larger intention was showcasing that Kamala has been idolizing these heroes in the Western world that look nothing like her. Then she goes back to her roots and she meets these individuals who’ve just worked really hard to be good at what they are. There’s a line that Waleed [Farhan Akhtar] says, about how the red scarf is for anyone who’s willing to put it on, it’s just a representation of what they’re trying to do. I think that’s what Waleed is trying to say: “First of all, it doesn’t really matter what you look like. It doesn’t really matter about code names or armor or what kinds of clothes that you’re wearing as long as you’re linked to something much greater.” That’s really what I think the whole point was bringing in Waleed and Kareem into this show.
Sana Amanat

Waleed and Kareem definitely added something special to the series, and it would be great to get a chance to explore their place in the world even more moving forward. Who knows if Kareem might even find his way to the West, as he becomes the fish out of water to join Kamala in a future adventure which may tie into the Red Daggers’ legacy.

Source: EW

July 2, 2022
‘Ms. Marvel’ Producer Teases How the Villains Tie into the Partition

If there’s one thing that the Marvel Studios series are good at it’s exploring strong themes. Moon Knight explored what it meant to explore what it means to be oneself while WandaVision focused on grief. Ms. Marvel takes a more historic look at one’s heritage and what it means to carry that torch. And it seems those themes were also considered throughout the series’ many elements.

In an interview from Entertainment Weekly, Ms. Marvel’s co-creator and producer of the Disney+ series, Sana Amanat, offered some insight into how they wanted to tie the overall themes to its main antagonists, the Clandestine. As she highlights how it takes a unique exploration of identity throughout.

I was like, “are people going to get that or no?” Ultimately, this is a story about identity. How do you understand your identity without understanding what home is and what home means to you? The Clandestines are an interesting foil in that regard, because you are talking about people being displaced, and then there are these people and here’s how they interpret their displacement. There’s a much larger metaphor there and I want to see what people think of it.
Sana Amanat

She also highlights that there may be more heading our way as we jump into the final two episodes that’ll fully explore the Partition, as well as what the future has in store for the Clandestine. Especially in how it parallels the modern-day with how Kamala Khan’s parents found their place in a new place.

I’m really interested in the post wrap-up conversations about this entire show. Because it’s very layered, you’re talking about South Asian character, but you’re also talking about a Muslim character. So, I think we intentionally tried to tell a story of what it means when you lose your home and how you try to create a new one. I mean, it’s what Kamala’s parents did. They came to a new country, they created a home for themselves here. And yet, Kamala feels like she doesn’t understand what that means. So, there’s certainly a lot of parallels and very intentionally so.
Sana Amanat

It’s always great to see how they explore these themes and have many elements tie together to add just that little something extra. It’s unclear just how they’ll wrap it all together but if the series manages to pull in its finale, we may have one of Marvel Studios’ best.

Source: EW

July 2, 2022
Ms. Marvel Co-Creator Sana Amanat: Don’t Change Kamala in the Comics

One of the most controversial decisions that was made by the creative team behind the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel was the decision to alter Kamala Khan’s power set. In the Marvel comics, Kamala had her latent Inhuman abilities activated after a Terrigen Bomb was dropped on Jersey City. Kamala developed polymorphic powers, allowing her to grow her limbs in any shape or size.

Considering the Inhumans do not exist in the 616-Marvel Cinematic Universe at the moment, the show decided to change the origins of Kamala’s powers to match up with Carol Danvers. That mystery is still being unraveled with two episodes left, but a cosmic connection to Captain Marvel is being established in Ms. Marvel.

The MCU Kamala still displays polymorphic powers, but she draws energy from the Noor Dimension and is able to create purple constructs that resemble crystals. While the decision was hotly debated when it was first announced, it seems to be paying off with fans and critics. But Kamala Khan co-creator Sana Amanat doesn’t think that the success of the show on Disney+ should lead to a change to the character in the comics. When asked about the idea in an interview with EW, Amanat had a strong response.

I hope not! I hope they stick to what they got. I think inherently, there’s a lot of similarities as it is just in terms of the ancestry in the comics. She comes from an alien, you know what I mean?
Sana Amanat

While more often than not the comics aren’t too heavily influenced by the event of the MCU, that hasn’t always been the case, with the Guardians of the Galaxy being one noteworthy (and sad) example. It’s good to see someone like Amanat, who has been in both worlds, be able to understand the balance-and the differences-between the two.

Source: EW

July 2, 2022
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.

July 2, 2022
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

July 2, 2022
‘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

July 2, 2022
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.

July 2, 2022
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.

July 2, 2022
EXCLUSIVE: Details on The Red Dagger Lair in ‘Ms. Marvel’

Episode 4 of Ms. Marvel saw Kamala Khan leave New Jersey and head to Karachi, where she quickly met Kareem, played by Aramis Knight, and learned about a secret order of protectors known as the Red Daggers. Part of keeping an order secret is having a secret location that’s tough to sniff out and the Red Daggers’ lair certainly fit that description.

In the episode, it was revealed that the lair could be accessed through a hidden hallway behind a stove in a restaurant, something Kamala Khan found fascinating. According to Knight, the hidden lair, complete with sliding stove, was an entirely practical set and something that was kept secret from him and Iman Vellani until the day of filming.

That set was 100% practical. The Chinese restaurant set as well as when I pushed the oven and it reveals the Red Dagger HQ in the hall…that was totally practical. So that day, while we were rehearsing-it was me and Iman and Sharmeen-and we were walking through the door and we weren’t even in costumes yet, loosely walking through it, I go to push the oven and I figured that the oven would maybe move back and we’d move to a different set. Little did I know, it was 100% practical. So when I pushed it back, it just kept rolling back, kept rolling back, like 20-30 feet into just, this huge hallway, and you walk down this hallway and you’re into that like beautiful blueish-green color of the Red Dagger lair. It was just amazing. We literally stopped in the middle of our rehearsal and were just like in awe of the set that they had built. It was incredible.
Aramis Knight

In a time where complicated sets are often touched up with VFX or shot using technology like the volume, a practical set of that size with so many moving parts is impressive. Equally impressive was the crew’s ability to keep it from the actors, allowing Vellani to get an authentic reaction to the hidden hallway that could inform her character’s discovery of it during filming. The set design has been top notch for all four episodes of Ms. Marvel and the lair of the Red Daggers is no different.

July 1, 2022