Ms Marvel: Newcomer Iman Vellani cast as Marvel’s first onscreen Muslim hero

‘Ms Marvel’ is set to debut on Disney+

Marvel has reportedly cast its first Muslim superhero for Disney+ series Ms Marvel.

As reported by Deadline, newcomer Iman Vellani, 18, will star in the TV show as Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teenager based in New Jersey who moonlights as superhero Ms Marvel.

In 2014, Kamala became the first Muslim character to star in her own Marvel comic book.

With the story being adapted for streaming, she’ll be the first onscreen Muslim hero in a Marvel production.

The news was celebrated by Kumail Nanjiani, who will star in Marvel’s forthcoming film The Eternals. He tweeted: “I just saw they cast Ms Marvel and legit got teary eyed.

“Congratulations Iman Vellani! Your work is going to mean so much to so many people, myself included. I can’t wait.”

G Willow Wilson, who co-created the character of Kamala Khan alongside Sana Amanat, wrote: “I guess this news is out. Eyes Congrats, Iman!”

The Independent has contacted Disney for comment.

Ms Marvel is being written by British writer and comedian Bisha K Ali, with Bad Boys for Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, as well as Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Meera Menon working as directors on the show.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has previously said that in addition to appearing on the Disney+ show, Kamala will be included in future Marvel films.

The show was first announced at Disney’s D23 expo in August 2019, along with TV series based on She-Hulk and Moon Knight.