| Ms. Marvel | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | Bisha K. Ali |
| Based on | Marvel Comics |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Laura Karpman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Production locations | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 38–50 minutes |
| Production company | Marvel Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney+ |
| Release | June 8 (2022-06-08) – July 13, 2022 (2022-07-13) |
| Related | |
Ms. Marvel is an American televisionminiseries created byBisha K. Ali for the streaming serviceDisney+, based onMarvel Comics featuring the characterKamala Khan / Ms. Marvel. It isthe seventh television series in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced byMarvel Studios, sharing continuity withthe films of the franchise. It followsKamala Khan, a 16-year-oldfangirl of theAvengers who struggles to fit in until she gains her own powers. Ali served ashead writer withAdil & Bilall leading the directing team.
Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan, withMatt Lintz,Yasmeen Fletcher,Zenobia Shroff,Mohan Kapur,Saagar Shaikh,Laurel Marsden,Azhar Usman,Rish Shah,Arian Moayed,Alysia Reiner,Laith Nakli,Nimra Bucha,Travina Springer, Adaku Ononogbo,Samina Ahmad,Fawad Khan,Mehwish Hayat,Farhan Akhtar, andAramis Knight also starring. The series was announced with Ali's involvement in August 2019. Vellani was cast in September 2020, with Adil & Bilall,Meera Menon, andSharmeen Obaid-Chinoy hired as the series' directors. Filming began in early November 2020, shooting inAtlanta, Georgia, andNew Jersey, before concluding inThailand in May 2021.
Ms. Marvel premiered on June 8, 2022, and ran for six episodes until July 13. It is part ofPhase Four of the MCU. The series received positive reviews, particularly for its creative visual style and Vellani's performance.Ms. Marvel sets up the events of the filmThe Marvels (2023), in which Vellani reprises her role as Kamala.
Kamala Khan, a 16-year-oldfangirl of theAvengers, particularlyCarol Danvers / Captain Marvel, struggles to fit in until she gains her own powers.[1]
Recurring in the series areJordan Firstman asschool counselor Gabe Wilson,[24][16] andAnjali Bhimani and Sophia Mahmud as Aunties Ruby and Zara.[25][26] Additional guest stars include Ali Alsaleh and Dan Carter as Aadam and Saleem, members of the Clandestines who wield a golden mace and powered whip, respectively;[16] and Vardah Aziz and Asfandyar Khan as Kamala's cousins Zainab and Owais, respectively.[22] Ryan Penagos, vice president and creative executive atMarvel New Media, has acameo appearance as thecosplay competition host at AvengerCon.[27] DirectorsAdil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah make cameo appearances as a man in the mosque and one of the "Mosque Bros", respectively,[28] while Amanat cameos during Aamir and Hillman's wedding,[29] andG. Willow Wilson cameos as herself as aTikTok commentator.[30]Brie Larson makes an uncredited cameo asCarol Danvers / Captain Marvel in the series finale'smid-credits scene.[31] A photo ofJameela Jamil asTitania, who stars as the character in the Disney+ seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022), appears in the series; Jamil was unaware of its inclusion inMs. Marvel until it aired.[32]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Generation Why" | Adil & Bilall | Bisha K. Ali | June 8, 2022 (2022-06-08) | |
Kamala Khan is a 16-year-old high schooler andfangirl of theAvengers, particularlyCarol Danvers / Captain Marvel. After failing a driving test, Kamala and her best friendBruno Carrelli finish her Captain Marvel cosplay for "AvengerCon" while avoiding her strict parents,Yusuf andMuneeba. Kamala receives a package from her grandmother Sana that includes a golden bangle, which Muneeba says is junk. After failing to convince her parents to let her go to AvengerCon, Kamala sneaks out with Bruno to attend and takes the bangle as part of her cosplay. After getting there and dressing up, she puts on the bangle and it causes her to project constructs of cosmic energy. This inadvertently causes havoc, during which Kamala uses her powers to save her classmateZoe Zimmer. Bruno rushes Kamala home, where a distraught Muneeba pleads with her to focus on her own life. In amid-credits scene,Department of Damage Control (DODC) agentsP. Cleary and Sadie Deever watch a video of Kamala's incident at AvengerCon and head to New Jersey to find and detain her. | |||||
| 2 | "Crushed" | Meera Menon | Kate Gritmon | June 15, 2022 (2022-06-15) | |
Kamala begins training to control her powers with Bruno, who deduces that the bangle activated superpowers that Kamala already had within her. Kamala, Bruno, and their friendNakia Bahadir attend a party organized by Zimmer, where they meet a new senior,Kamran, who Kamala befriends. Bruno becomes frustrated when Kamala chooses to spend time with Kamran instead of training. After seeing a vision of a mysterious woman, Kamala asks Sana and Muneeba about her great-grandmother Aisha, the bangle's original owner, but both dismiss her. Yusuf says young Sana lost her way during thepartition of India, but was mysteriously able to find her father again. After questioning Zimmer about her savior at AvengerCon, Cleary and Deever order a sweep of thetri-state area, targeting South Asian communities. At anEid al-Adha celebration, a young boy slips from amosque balcony and almost falls before Kamala saves him with her powers. Kamala is chased by DODC agents led by Deever, but is saved by Kamran, who introduces her to his motherNajma, the woman from Kamala's vision. | |||||
| 3 | "Destined" | Meera Menon | Teleplay by : Freddy Syborn andA. C. Bradley & Matthew Chauncey Story by : Freddy Syborn | June 22, 2022 (2022-06-22) | |
Najma explains that she and Kamran are part of a group of five enhanced beings known as theClandestines, who claim to beDjinns that were exiled from theNoor dimension. Najma says Aisha was also a Clandestine, and asks for Kamala's help in using the bangle to let them return to theNoor dimension. Kamala agrees, but Bruno warns her that interdimensional travel could be dangerous, so she asks Kamran for more time to ensure that they can do it safely. Kamran agrees, but an impatient Najma decides to force Kamala to help them. Kamala's brotherAamir marries his fiancée Tyesha, but Kamran crashes the wedding to warn Kamala before the other Clandestines arrive. Kamala, Bruno, and Kamran are overpowered while Najma tries to use the bangle, which triggers a vision of a train. The DODC agents arrive and capture the Clandestines, including Kamran. As Kamala and Bruno escape, Nakia sees Kamala using her powers. Sana contacts Kamala, revealing that she also saw the vision of the train and insisting that Kamala and Muneeba visit her inKarachi. | |||||
| 4 | "Seeing Red" | Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy | Teleplay by :Sabir Pirzada and A. C. Bradley & Matthew Chauncey Story by : Sabir Pirzada | June 29, 2022 (2022-06-29) | |
Kamala and Muneeba travel to Karachi and reunite with Sana, who reveals to Kamala that the bangle is trying to convey a message through the vision of the train. The next day, a masked Kamala goes to the Karachi train station to investigate, but is attacked byKareem, a member of theRed Daggers vigilante group who initially mistakes her for one of the Clandestines. Kareem takes Kamala to the Red Daggers' hideout, where Kamala learns from their leader Waleed that the Clandestines are trying to break the Veil of Noor, which separates theNoor dimension from the human world, in order to expand and take over. The Clandestines escape the DODC's supermax prison, but Najma abandons Kamran for his betrayal. Kamala begins training with the Red Daggers to master her powers, but they are interrupted by the Clandestines. A chase ensues, during which Waleed kills one of the Clandestines before Najma kills him in turn. As Kamala and Kareem fend off the Clandestines, Kareem kills one of them and Najma accidentally stabs the bangle, sending Kamala back in time to the partition. | |||||
| 5 | "Time and Again" | Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy | Fatimah Asghar | July 6, 2022 (2022-07-06) | |
InIndia, 1942, Aisha takes refuge in a village, where Hasan, an Indian independence activist, offers her food and shelter. They fall in love and have a child, Sana. Five years later, Najma finds Aisha and orders her to retrieve the bangle. Aisha leaves it with Sana and attempts to flee to the new nation ofPakistan with her family, but Najma finds and stabs her. Hasan and Sana are separated in the chaos. Kamala is able to interact with Aisha, who asks her to guide Sana before dying. Conjuring a projection of stars to lead Sana to her father, Kamala realizes that she was the one who reunited them per the stories her parents had told of that night. Returning to the present, Kamala finds that Najma's strike had opened the Veil of Noor, but it vaporizes anyone who interacts with it. Najma transfers her power to Kamran before sacrificing herself to close the Veil. Sana and Muneeba find Kamala and the latter accepts her daughter's powers. Kamran seeks refuge with Bruno, where they are both attacked by a DODC drone. Kamran destroys it, but the ensuing explosion obliterates the store below them. | |||||
| 6 | "No Normal" | Adil & Bilall | Teleplay by : Will Dunn and A. C. Bradley & Matthew Chauncey Story by : Will Dunn | July 13, 2022 (2022-07-13) | |
Bruno and Kamran go on the run from the DODC, but Deever orders a city-wide lockdown to find them. Kamala crafts a disguise using a gift from her mother and a mask made by Bruno, before reuniting with Bruno and Kamran. With help from Nakia, Aamir, and Zimmer, the group stall the DODC agents. Cleary orders a retreat, but Deever ignores him and leads a detachment of agents in storming the school where Kamala and her friends are hiding. The agents arrest everyone except for Kamala and Kamran, who confronts Deever. She attacks him, but Kamala fights off the agents and allows all of her friends to escape. Deever withdraws and is later relieved of her duty by Cleary. Kamala becomes a beloved figure in her community and takes the superhero name "Ms. Marvel" following a heart-to-heart with Yusuf. Kamran flees to Pakistan and meets Kareem, as arranged by Kamala. Bruno later tells Kamala that she possesses a genetic mutation which the rest of her family lacks.[a] In a mid-credits scene, the bangle emits a strange glow before Kamala switches places with Danvers.[b] | |||||
Marvel Entertainment'screative consultantJoe Quesada said in September 2016 that there were plans to explore the character ofKamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in other media following her unusually rapid success and popularity among comic book readers.[33]Marvel Studios PresidentKevin Feige said in May 2018 that aMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project based on Kamala Khan was "in the works",[34][35] and would follow the release of the filmCaptain Marvel (2019) as Kamala is inspired by that film's title characterCarol Danvers.[34]
By August 2019, Marvel Studios had begun development on aMs. Marvel television series for the streaming serviceDisney+, withBisha K. Ali hired to serve as thehead writer after working as a writer on the seriesLoki.[36][37] Ali had approached one of the Marvel Studios executives onLoki, Kevin Wright, while were working on that series to get an opportunity to meet aboutMs. Marvel,[37] and she declined an extension to continue working onLoki in order to create herpitch. She believed that Marvel responded to her "general vibe and energy" from the pitch, which conveyed to them that a series about Ms. Marvel was very personal to her "as a fan, as a South Asian person, as a Pakistani woman, [and] as a woman from a Muslim background".[38]Ms. Marvel was officially announced at the 2019D23 conference.[39]
In September 2020,Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (credited as Adil & Bilall[11]: 1 ) were hired to direct two episodes of the series, withMeera Menon hired to direct one episode, andSharmeen Obaid-Chinoy hired to direct three;[40][41] Menon and Obaid-Chinoy ultimately directed two episodes each.[11]: 1 Despite their different visual styles and prior work, all of the directors worked closely together to create a "seamless transition" between their episodes.[11]: 5 Ali, El Arbi, and Fallah serve as executive producers on the series and worked closely with Marvel Studios to develop it,[42][43] with Kamala Khan co-creatorSana Amanat also serving as an executive producer,[43][11]: 2 alongside Marvel Studios' Feige,Louis D'Esposito,Victoria Alonso, andBrad Winderbaum.[11]: 2
In addition to Ali, writers for the series include Kate Gritmon, Freddy Syborn,A. C. Bradley, Matthew Chauncey,Sabir Pirzada,Fatimah Asghar, and Will Dunn.[44] Bradley and Chauncey were respectively the head writer, and story editor and writer forWhat If...?,[45][46] joiningMs. Marvel after completing the scripts forWhat If...?season two,[47]: 23:55–24:05 with Bradley also serving as a consulting producer onMs. Marvel,[46]: 6 while Pirzada was a writer forMoon Knight.[48] Bradley stated that she "significantly [rewrote] all episodes" of the series, which in turn necessitated the WGA to mandate she receive writing credit on three of the episodes. Despite this work, Bradley claimed she was only paid a weekly rate and did not receive script fees.[49] Ali said Amanat's involvement allowed them to "stay true to the character" from the comic books while adding "something new, with a freshness, vitality and contemporary edge".[50] Ali described her time working onLoki as "good training ground" to serve asMs. Marvel's head writer,[37] learning what creative freedoms Marvel Studios allowed for each series to inhabit their own part of the MCU while still being bounded by the overarching storytelling.[37][38] She was told to keepKamala's story "ground level", which was already part of her plan for the series, and to always focus on who the character represents. Ali received advice fromWandaVision andThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier head writersJac Schaeffer andMalcolm Spellman.[38]
InMs. Marvel, Kamala gains the ability to harness cosmic energy and createhard light constructs from a magicalbangle,[3][4] which differs from theshapeshifting abilities that she has in the comics. Feige explained that theInhuman source of her abilities in the comics did not "match" with the timeline and events of the MCU, so her powers were adjusted to be related to her Pakistani heritage. They were also brought closer to the cosmic powers of the other heroes in the filmThe Marvels (2023), in which Vellani co-stars. Feige added that the character's "giant hands and arms" would still appear in the series "in spirit".[51] The change to Kamala's powers was not part of Ali's initial pitch and arose as a group decision to align the character with what had been established in the MCU.[50] It was important to the creative team that Kamala's new powers have the "same connectivity with her psychology and the journey she's going through and the way she sees herself" as her shapeshifting abilities did in the comics.[8] Amanat and another of the character's co-creators,G. Willow Wilson, were both consulted on and supported the change. Amanat felt it was "fun to give Kamala different kinds of powers that feel big in scope and cinematic... the essence of what the powers are in the comics is there, both from a metaphorical standpoint and from a visual standpoint."[35] Thefinale episode reveals that Kamala has a genetic "mutation", implying that she is amutant (which is supported by a musical excerpt of theX-Men: The Animated Series theme being played during the reveal).[52][53][30] Vellani confirmed that Kamala was the first mutant in the MCU,[5] and Ali said this explains why other members of her family do not have powers.[54] Amanat and Wilson originally intended for Kamala to be a mutant in the comics.[55]
Ms. Marvel is acoming-of-age story that Amanat said would be told "through the lens of Kamala's experience and her wild imagination". She described Kamala's life and world as "naturally colorful" due to Jersey City being a "pretty crazy and vibrant and multicultural place". Carol Danvers is Kamala's inspiration to become a hero after she almost defeatedThanos during the events ofAvengers: Endgame (2019). Amanat believed it was important to tell a story about who your heroes are for a young person of color, and exploring what that does to "your sense of self".[35] Ali wanted to mix the "whimsical and magical" qualities from Ms. Marvel's comics with American high school films, taking specific inspiration from the films ofJohn Hughes as well as10 Things I Hate About You (1999),Lady Bird (2017),Eighth Grade (2018),Booksmart (2019),[6] and the MCU filmSpider-Man: Homecoming (2017).Bollywood actorShah Rukh Khan was another inspiration for the series.[37]Ms. Marvel features alove triangle between Kamala,Bruno Carrelli, andKamran, which was toned down during the writing process because Ali did not want audiences to believe it was the dominant storyline. El Arbi said it was relatable that Bruno was in the "friend zone", and Ali felt this was a "fundamental part of growing up".[10]
Kamala's family plays a large role in the series, which Ali felt was "vital" and a way to differentiate the character within the MCU. She wanted to explore "what's been passed down to [Kamala] through intergenerational trauma. I wanted to show these four generations of women and show that they are her superpower." Kamala's father also gives her the Ms. Marvel name, while her mother helps construct her costume.[56] Thepartition of India is a major part of the series, and was included from the beginning of development. Ali looked to the filmCaptain America: The First Avenger (2011), which occurs at the end ofWorld War II, to see how she could tie in the real-life events of the partition to what had been established in the MCU.[57]Priya Satia, a professor atStanford University andBritish Empire historian, consulted on the series.[58][59] The writers created "essays" about how theClandestines, theNoor dimension, and the Red Daggers were all connected. Ali explained that much of this was unable to be put into the final version of the series due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and other time constraints,[57] with the stories for the Clandestines and the Red Daggers having to be "truncated".[56] Kamala and the Clandestines are referred to asDjinn in the series. When some Muslim fans pointed out that theQuran prohibits the worshipping ofDjinn, Obaid-Chinoy responded thatDjinn was just being used to represent "anyone who is different, or anyone who has powers".[60] Ali elaborated that Kamala and the Clandestines were not actuallyDjinn, but the writers wanted to explore how Kamala would feel about the name due to its negative cultural connotations.[57]
In September 2020, newcomerIman Vellani was cast in the lead role.[2] Her aunt had forwarded her a casting call for the role, which led to Vellani submitting a self-tape before being asked to audition at Marvel Studios' offices inLos Angeles.[7] She had an in-person screen test in February 2020, as well as a virtual one overZoom in June 2020, before landing the role.[61] Set photos in November revealed thatMatt Lintz had been cast in the series.[62] The next month, Marvel confirmed that Lintz had been cast,[63] portraying Bruno Carrelli,[9] along with Yasmeen Fletcher asNakia Bahadir;[12] Zenobia Shroff as Muneeba Khan;Mohan Kapur as Yusuf Khan;[15] Saagar Shaikh as Aamir Khan;[64][16]Azhar Usman as Najaf;[11]: 15 Aramis Knight asKareem / Red Dagger;[9]Rish Shah as Kamran;[65][66]Travina Springer as Tyesha Hillman;Laith Nakli as Sheikh Abdullah; andNimra Bucha as Najma.[16]
NewcomerLaurel Marsden was cast in the role ofZoe Zimmer in February 2021,[67] whileAlysia Reiner was revealed to have also been cast in the series asDepartment of Damage Control (DODC) agent Sadie Deever.[68][17]Fawad Khan said he was part of the cast in December 2021,[69] appearing as Hasan,[20] andMehwish Hayat was reported a month later to also have a role in the series,[70] as Aisha.[21] In March 2022, Adaku Ononogbo was revealed to be cast as Fariha.[71]Arian Moayed was part of the cast by that May,[72][73] reprising his role as DODC agentP. Cleary fromSpider-Man: No Way Home (2021),[17] as wasFarhan Akhtar in the guest role of Waleed.[74][22]Samina Ahmad appears as Kamala's grandmother Sana, who was named for Amanat.[18]
Also in February 2021,Alyy Khan revealed that he planned to be a part of the series in Obaid-Chinoy's episodes.[75] In March 2022,Anjali Bhimani was revealed as auntie Ruby,[76][25] a recurring role, after previously appearing in theMarvel Television seriesRunaways.[76]Jordan Firstman appears as Gabe Wilson, named as an homage to G. Willow Wilson,[24] while Ali Alsaleh and Dan Carter appear as Aadam and Saleem.[16] Vardah Aziz and Asfandyar Khan appear as Kamala's cousins Zainab and Owais, respectively.[22]Brie Larson makes an uncreditedcameo appearance as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel in the series finale'smid-credits scene.[31]
Arjun Bhasin was the costume designer for the series.[50] Kamala's Ms. Marvel costume was inspired byburkinis andshalwar kameez, with subtle "cultural details" in the fabric.[77]: 89 Amanat credited Bhasin for incorporating "cool textures" to make the costume feel South Asian in a subtle way, and she noted that the lightning bolt on the costume was updated from the comic version.[50] Christopher Glass was the production designer for the series,[78] while Natasha Gerasimova took over for the series' reshoots.[79] Perception created the end title sequence, using footage of locations in Jersey City mixed with Ms. Marvel-related murals.[80]
El Arbi and Fallah, Menon, and Obaid-Chinoy directed the series.[40] Filming began in early November 2020 atTrilith Studios inAtlanta, Georgia,[81][82] with additional filming atBlackhall Studios and Areu Brothers Studios.[83] The series was filmed under theworking titleJersey.[84] Cinematographers wereRobrecht Heyvaert for El Arbi and Fallah,[85] Carmen Cabana for Menon,[86] andJules O'Loughlin for Obaid-Chinoy.[87]
The animated sequences were not scripted,[85] though an early version of the first episode's script had a moment inside Kamala's head which the directors expanded across the entire series.[8] El Arbi and Fallah conceived them as a way to "get inside Kamala Khan's head and capture her dream world and fantasy world",[85] and for viewers to see the world "through her eyes".[77]: 88 These moments were a way to translate the vibrancy the directors enjoyed from the comics into the series, and were inspired by the animated filmSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).[88] The integration of the animated elements took a lot of planning during pre-production, so the directors could not improvise how those sequences were shot.[88] El Arbi said the other directors enjoyed using these ideas for their episodes as well.[85] The duo were inspired bySpike Lee to make New Jersey a character in the series like Lee does with New York City in his films,[88] and also took inspiration fromSteven Spielberg,anime (particularly for the visual effects),[77]: 89 John Hughes's films,[88] the filmsBooksmart andScott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010),[77]: 89 [88] the early 1990s television seriesParker Lewis Can't Lose andSaved by the Bell, andAdrian Alphona andJamie McKelvie's art from theMs. Marvel comics.[88] El Arbi and Fallah concluded filming their episodes on March 5, 2021.[89]
Cultural advisors were used to examine the scripts and footage to ensure authenticity.[86] Secondary filming occurred inHudson County, New Jersey, from March to early April.[83][90] Vellani and Shah continued to film scenes in Atlanta through late April and early May.[66][91] Obaid-Chinoy began filming the fourth and fifth episodes inThailand by March 23, specifically inBangkok and at the Studio Park facilities.[92][93] Due to the series' strictCOVID-19 protocols,Ms. Marvel was able to obtain a waiver from the Thai government to continue filming in the country throughout April and May 2021 despitenew restrictions put in place in April that suspended other film and television productions. The cast and crew of 450 people were divided into three bubbles so production could continue if a positive test was found in one of the bubbles.[92] Thailand stands in for Pakistan in the series, with the production unable to shoot in that country because of itspolitical situation,[94] though some pickup shots were filmed inKarachi.[87]Principal photography concluded in Thailand in early May 2021.[92]
Reshoots, with Obaid-Chinoy directing, occurred at the end of January 2022.[95] She said these were mostly pickup material to help clarify story elements and make a cohesive narrative.[96] Conversely, Gerasimova called the reshoots "pretty massive" because there was "quite a big script restructuring, and a lot of episodes were reshuffled", which resulted in the need to build new sets in Atlanta. This included trying to match with material that was shot in Thailand which Gerasimova said was "incredibly challenging".[79] The series finale's mid-credits scene was shot byThe Marvels directorNia DaCosta.[97]
Editors on the series include Nona Khodai (episodes one, four, five, and six), Sabrina Plisco (episodes one, three, and six), and Emma McCleave and Sushila Love (episodes two and three).[11]: 28 Visual effects for the series were created byDigital Domain,Framestore,FuseFX,Method Studios,RISE, SSVFX,Trixter, andPerception.[98]
| External audio | |
|---|---|
ComposerLaura Karpman worked on the score for the series for five months, from February to July 2022. She previously composed forWhat If...? and had been hired to scoreThe Marvels.[99] Karpman said she immersed herself in Kamala's "rich musical heritage",[100] and wanted to give the character "the kind of dignity and presence of every other major Marvel superhero" while acknowledging her cultural background. She worked closely with Amanat, who had specific ideas she wanted for the music of the series, while also recommending a violinist to Karpman to achieve certain "unique sounds".[99]
Approaching Kamala's theme, Karpman looked to incorporate a traditional orchestra with South Asian musical elements, ensure that it was "hip, driven by contemporary beats,dhol beats,tabla beats, or both" since the character was a teenager. The South Asian elements were achieved by a number of artists who played thesarangi,sursringar,bansuri, andmridangam, recording remotely in India and Pakistan, alongside featured soloists, violinistRaaginder and vocalistGanavya Doraiswamy. Karpman was impressed with the improvisation by these artists, believing those takes had "the most interesting stuff" in them over the ones with just the themes she had provided for them to play. These sounds were combined with a 70-piece orchestra that recorded every week atSynchron Stage Vienna, along with other production and processing elements; an eight-voice choir of South Asian singers added for the fifth episode score. Other themes created by Karpman included one for Kamala's bangle and one for her heritage, and a love theme for Aisha and Hasan, among others.[99] Karpman's score was released digitally byMarvel Music andHollywood Records in two volumes: music from the first three episodes was released on June 22,[101] and music from the last three was released on July 13.[102] Karpman's "Ms. Marvel Suite" was released as asingle on June 7.[103]
Ms. Marvel also features a number of existing songs, with Ali believing music was an integral part of adapting the character to the screen. She credited Amanat for having a strong vision of which songs were needed and should be used. Amanat calledMs. Marvel a "great platform" to showcase South Asian music, with the selections being a blend in a similar way to Kamala.[50]
All music composed by Laura Karpman except where noted.[101][102]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ms. Marvel Suite" | 4:30 |
| 2. | "Figure Out Your Life" | 1:24 |
| 3. | "Mysterious Parcel" | 3:30 |
| 4. | "The Plan" | 2:18 |
| 5. | "Sure They Do" | 2:04 |
| 6. | "Siren Call" | 1:58 |
| 7. | "The Save" | 5:20 |
| 8. | "Cosmic" | 1:35 |
| 9. | "About Last Night" | 1:30 |
| 10. | "Bathroom Confab" | 1:02 |
| 11. | "Trail of Stars" | 2:33 |
| 12. | "Damage Control" | 1:35 |
| 13. | "Hard Landing" | 3:22 |
| 14. | "Flee the Scene" | 2:08 |
| 15. | "Digging in the Dirt" | 3:26 |
| 16. | "Bad Things Happen" | 1:48 |
| 17. | "Questioning" | 0:52 |
| 18. | "Good News, Bad News" | 1:13 |
| 19. | "A Thing You Do" | 1:43 |
| 20. | "Circle Q Score" | 1:19 |
| 21. | "Bonding" | 1:39 |
| 22. | "Not Asking Anymore" | 2:53 |
| 23. | "Blitz" | 1:17 |
| 24. | "Showdown" | 2:03 |
| 25. | "Homecoming" | 2:09 |
| Total length: | 49:29 | |
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Karachi Station" | 1:12 | |
| 2. | "Arrival" | 2:57 | |
| 3. | "Friend or Foe" | 1:52 | |
| 4. | "It's Genetic" | 1:41 | |
| 5. | "Stove" | 1:30 | |
| 6. | "Two Worlds" | 2:36 | |
| 7. | "Getaway" | 1:38 | |
| 8. | "Blood and Pain" | 1:11 | |
| 9. | "Mother and Daughter" | 2:01 | |
| 10. | "Training" | 1:11 | |
| 11. | "Surprise" | 0:52 | |
| 12. | "Street Chase" | 2:09 | |
| 13. | "Leaping Balconies" | 1:16 | |
| 14. | "Running Scared" | 2:05 | |
| 15. | "Another Season" | 1:44 | |
| 16. | "Fight for Freedom" | 0:44 | |
| 17. | "Walking Stick" | 1:11 | |
| 18. | "She Who Lives" | 2:33 | |
| 19. | "Peaceful Transition" | 1:05 | |
| 20. | "Charity" | 1:09 | |
| 21. | "A Meeting and a Deadline" | 1:45 | |
| 22. | "People Are Dying" | 1:23 | |
| 23. | "Exodus" | 1:20 | |
| 24. | "The Last Train" | 3:39 | |
| 25. | "Answered Prayer" | 4:26 | |
| 26. | "Transfer" | 1:46 | |
| 27. | "Two People" | 1:40 | |
| 28. | "Reconciliation" | 1:16 | |
| 29. | "Generations" | 0:58 | |
| 30. | "Nowhere to Go" | 0:45 | |
| 31. | "Subway Powers" | 1:14 | |
| 32. | "Circle Q Exploded" | 1:14 | |
| 33. | "New Suit" | 0:43 | |
| 34. | "Raid" | 0:49 | |
| 35. | "Ensure Your Safety" | 1:35 | |
| 36. | "Keep Looking" | 1:09 | |
| 37. | "Glowing Pains" | 1:26 | |
| 38. | "Back to School" | 1:44 | |
| 39. | "New Plan" | 1:42 | |
| 40. | "Threat" | 1:18 | |
| 41. | "Bad Press" | 1:27 | |
| 42. | "Walls Close In" | 1:32 | |
| 43. | "Stay With Me" | 1:13 | |
| 44. | "What Happens in Karachi" | 2:35 | |
| 45. | "Powerful Hands" | 2:52 | |
| 46. | "There is No Normal" | 2:25 | |
| 47. | "Control Damaged" | 1:41 | |
| 48. | "On a Lamp Post" | 3:19 | |
| 49. | "Who...Is...That...??!!" | 0:32 | |
| 50. | "Bed of Roses – Indian Mix" | Tanweer Mian, Prashant Patil & Gurinder Negi | 2:32 |
| 51. | "Aavegi" | Ritviz | 2:31 |
| Total length: | 1:28:29 | ||
A first look at the series with early footage, testimonials about the impact the character has had, and clips of Vellani's audition was shown at Disney's Investor Day in December 2020. Josh Weiss atSyfy Wire called it "absolutely priceless" seeing the exact moment Vellani learned she had been cast as Kamala.[43] Additional footage was shown duringDisney+ Day on November 12, 2021.[104][1]
The first trailer for the series was released on March 15, 2022.[3] Many commentators noted the change to Kamala's powers from the comics (in which she has shape-shifting abilities) to being able to harness cosmic energy and form constructs with magicalbangles,[3][105][106][107] believed to be similar to theNega-Bands from the comics.[108] Linda Codega atGizmodo said the trailer was "as adorable, fun, and exciting as the comics[, full] of absolutely excellent directorial decisions" and that the series looked like "a tone-perfect mashup ofScott Pilgrim vs. The World andSky High".[109] Gabrielle Sanchez ofThe A.V. Club said the trailer offered "an illustrative guide to Kamala Khan".[107] The final shot of the trailer, as well as a teaser poster also released for the series, pays homage to the cover ofMs. Marvel (2014) #5.[15][110]
A Fan's Guide to Ms. Marvel, a documentary short featuring an exclusive look at the production of the series and interviews from the filmmaking team and Vellani, was released on Disney+ on June 1, 2022.[111][73] In January 2021, Marvel announced their "Marvel Must Haves" program, which reveals new toys, games, books, apparel, home decor, and other merchandise related to each episode ofMs. Marvel following an episode's release,[112] which started on June 7 and concluded on July 15, 2022.[113][114]QR codes were included in the first four episodes linking viewers to a website to access free digital comics featuring Ms. Marvel that updated weekly;[115][116] this followed a similar program that happened withMoon Knight.[117] The comics released for the episodes, in order, wereMs. Marvel (2014) #1,Ms. Marvel (2014) #15,Magnificent Ms. Marvel (2019) #1,Ms. Marvel (2015) #12,[115] andMs. Marvel (2014) #19.[116]
Ms. Marvel premiered on Disney+ on June 8, 2022,[3] and consisted of six episodes, with episodes being released weekly,[92] concluding on July 13.[118] The red carpet premiere occurred on June 2 atEl Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.[119] The series was originally scheduled to debut in late 2021,[63] but following the announcement ofHawkeye premiering in late November 2021, Aaron Couch ofThe Hollywood Reporter said it was "unclear" ifMs. Marvel would also still release in 2021, givenHawkeye would still be releasing into December and it was "unlikely" two Marvel Studios series would release at the same time.[120] In August 2021, Matt Webb Mitovich ofTVLine felt it was "very safe to assume"Ms. Marvel would premiere in early 2022,[121] with it confirmed the following month to be moving to 2022.[122] In November 2021, it was confirmed to be releasing in mid-2022,[1] with the June 2022 premiere confirmed in March 2022.[3]Ms. Marvel is part ofPhase Four of the MCU.[123]
The series received a three-part theatrical release acrossPakistan through licenser HKC Entertainment, due to Disney+ not being available in the country at that time. The first two episodes were released on June 16, 2022, followed by the third and fourth episodes on June 30, with the last two episodes released on July 14.[124][125]Ms. Marvel aired onABC as part ofThe Wonderful World of Disney, with the first three episodes airing on August 5, 2023, and the final three airing on August 12, 2023. This was done in hopes of allowing an additional opportunity for viewers to see the series and be introduced to Kamala Khan before her appearance inThe Marvels later in 2023,[126] as well as to fill programming time for ABC during the2023 Writers Guild of America andSAG-AFTRA strikes that had shut down production on television series.[127]
Whip Media, which tracks viewership data for the more than 21 million worldwide users of itsTV Time app, calculated thatMs. Marvel was the most anticipated new television series for June 2022.[128]Variety's Trending TV chart, which tracks social media engagement across trending television content, reported thatMs. Marvel generated 526,000 engagements onTwitter from March 14–20, 2022. The surge in engagement was largely driven by the March 15 trailer drop, which introduced the character to audiences.Ms. Marvel ranked No. 2 on the chart, behind theCritics Choice Awards broadcast.[129]Ms. Marvel later generated 344,000 engagements on Twitter from June 6–12, 2022. The show ranked No. 2 on the chart, behindStranger Things.[130] The show was featured in thePakistanGoogle Search Trends list, ranking as one of the most-searched television series in the country in 2022.[131][132] According to market research company Parrot Analytics, which looks at consumer engagement in consumer research, streaming, downloads, and on social media,Ms. Marvel had 46.2 times the average series demand in its first month after premiering. It ranked behindObi-Wan Kenobi andStar Trek: Strange New Worlds in demand for new series premieres in the second quarter of 2022.[133][134] Parrot Analytics reported that the show consistently saw an increase in-demand each week of its release.[135]
Luminate, which measures streaming performance in the U.S. by analyzing viewership data, audience engagement metrics, and content reach across various platforms, reported thatMs. Marvel accounted for 4.1% of total original series viewership on Disney+ between December 31, 2021, and December 29, 2022.[136] On August 12, 2023,Ms. Marvel attracted 910,000 viewers, achieving a 0.29% rating, which represents a 3% increase compared to the previous week onABC.[137]
Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the websiteRotten Tomatoes[138] |
Thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes reported a 98% approval rating, with an average score of 8.20/10, based on 303 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Ms. Marvel is a genuinely fresh addition to the MCU—both stylistically and substantively—with Iman Vellani ably powering proceedings with her super-sized charisma."[138]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 78 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[139]
The first two episodes were given to critics to review the series ahead of its premiere,[140] with Destiny Jackson atEmpire feeling the series was able to balance the comedic and dramatic moments, with "witty visual gags and well-rounded, warmly funny, instantly likeable characters", adding thatMs. Marvel had "an authentic take on Pakistani-American culture; [...] the show takes admirable care in explaining the rituals and realities of life as a modern Muslim".[141] Writing forRolling Stone,Alan Sepinwall commented that the superhero scenes were "rarely more than functional" with a lack of energy compared to the more personal ones such as Kamala's "arguments with her parents, her and Nakia protesting the condition of the gender-segregated parts of the mosque, or her and... Kamran flirting while discussing their favorite Bollywood films".[142]Variety's Caroline Framke feltMs. Marvel broke through "Marvel's typical house style" with the use of animation throughout to convey Kamala's thoughts and day dreams, calling it a "tangibly kinetic magic" and likening it to the animated filmSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.[143]
Vellani's portrayal of Kamala Khan received widespread praise.[144][145][140]IGN's Emma Fraser compared her toHailee Steinfeld asKate Bishop inHawkeye,[144] with Kathryn Porter ofPaste adding that Vellani "shines" in the role and that there was "no way to explain how great she is in this other than to say that she embodies the true spirit of Kamala Khan".[145] Mohammad Zaheer atBBC Culture called Vellani "an adorable bundle of charisma" in a role "tailor-made for her", likening her toRobert Downey Jr. asTony Stark andEmma Watson asHermione Granger in theHarry Potter film series.[146]
The changes to Kamala's powers from the comics was also highlighted,[147][145][142][148] albeit with a mixed reception. While the new origin's more personal connection was praised,[149][143][150] the powers themselves drew criticism: Sepinwall called these abilities "more generic" than the comics powers;[142] Charles Pulliam-Moore atThe Verge wrote that the live-action abilities "are only able to approximate the flashy aspects of what was originally a nuanced metaphor in the comics. [...] But the show doesn't go nearly as far with its hero in terms of using its conceit to explore ideas like internalized racism or the pressures Western (read: white) beauty standards put on people of color";[148] and Porter pointed out that G. Willow Wilson—one of the character's creators—had previously described that during the development of Kamala's powers, it was chosen not to give her "sparkly, hand wave-y, floaty, pretty powers", which Porter felt was "one of the most important things about her in the comics, and losing that in favor of powers that are, in fact, sparkly, hand wave-y, floaty, and pretty is really unfortunate".[145]
ActivistMalala Yousafzai praised the series for its reflection of Pakistani people,[151] and was "struck by how familiar Kamala Khan's life seemed to me", saying the series was "for every young person finding their place in the world".[152] The series was anticipated by Muslims inJersey City, New Jersey, with councilman Yousef Saleh callingMs. Marvel a "critical point in TV culture" since it would feature Muslims portrayed as heroes rather than villains as is more commonly done, and he was excited about the presence of a Muslim Marvel superhero to "inspire the next generation".McNair Academic High School in the city features a club called Coles Kamala Korps, which was launched in 2022 in response to anticipation for the series andThe Marvels, after informally focusing on the character previously.[153]
After the release of thefirst episode, the series wasreview bombed onIMDb with a high number of 1 star ratings. Multiple reviews were also posted with some reviewers expressing distaste for the family friendly aspects of the series or the change of Kamala's powers, while others called the series "woke", mentioning Captain Marvel.[154][155]
In February 2021, the documentary seriesMarvel Studios: Assembled was announced. The specials go behind the scenes of the making of the MCU films and television series with cast members and additional creatives.[166] The special of this series, "The Making ofMs. Marvel", featuring Vellani, was released on Disney+ on August 3, 2022.[167][168]
During the series' official announcement at D23, Feige stated that after introducing Ms. Marvel in the series, the character would cross over to theMCU films,[39] which he reiterated in November 2019.[169] Previously,Captain Marvel star Brie Larson expressed interest in including Ms. Marvel in that film's sequel,[170] and Vellani was confirmed to be appearing in theCaptain Marvel sequel,The Marvels, in December 2020.[171][172] In February 2021, Feige stated thatMs. Marvel would set up the events ofThe Marvels.[173] The film was not fully conceived by the time Ali started working on the series, so she had a lot of creative freedom in crafting the series but knew there needed to be a "maturity" across Kamala's character arc so she would be ready for the events ofThe Marvels.[8] Shaikh, Shroff, and Kapur reprise their roles as Kamala's family members inThe Marvels.[174]
In September 2023, Ali and El Arbi said a decision regarding a potential second season would be made following the release ofThe Marvels.[175] In December 2023, Vellani expressed interest in having Doc.X serve as the villain in a second season, since it would "resonate with the Gen Z audience",[176] and was also hopeful her and Pirzada'sMs. Marvel comic books, which retconned the character as a mutant in the main Marvel Comics continuity, would eventually be adapted within the MCU.[177]