Disney has announced that it will have two new series focusing on female superheroes, as part of their ever-growing empire of new projects. Ticking the diversity boxes that the industry has been very much lacking in, Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk will be added to their highly-anticipated Marvel lineup to be released over the next few years.
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel, one of the ten new Marvel series, will be reaching our screens in late 2021 and will star Iman Vellani as the lead character Kamala Khan. This will be the first Muslim superhero to have her own Marvel comic series, with the character’s abilities consisting of contorting her body and super-stretchy powers.
Ms. Marvel, a newer character to Marvel comics has grabbed the world's imagination and we are excited to announce Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan.
Ms. Marvel, an Original Series from Marvel Studios, is coming late 2021 to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/ArHe8vMCXd
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Kamala Khan will also be featuring in the upcoming film Captain Marvel 2 with Brie Larson.
Joining Vellani, the Ms. Marvel cast will also include Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Naki, Azher Usman, Travina Springer, and Nimra Bucha. The episodes will be directed by Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
She-Hulk
Meanwhile, the titular character in She-Hulk will be played by Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany, with the character being the cousin of Bruce Banner / The Hulk (played by Mark Ruffalo). Sharing their powers after a blood transfusion, She-Hulk won’t just be a super-strong green giant, but rather a lawyer by the name of Jennifer Walters who assists fellow superheroes in their legal matters. Unlike Bruce Banner, Jennifer will be able to control her intelligence and emotions, as well as her superhuman strength and speed.
She-Hulk arrives to the MCU! Tatiana Maslany will portray Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk and Tim Roth returns as the Abomination and Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo, will appear in the series. Directed Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, She-Hulk is coming to #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/z4OlQJhrlr
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
Alongside Maslany, Tim Roth will be returning as the Abomination. The Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo, will also be appearing in the series, but as there has been no definite episode list or news concerning the billing of each episode, fans will have to wait to see how Ruffalo and Maslany’s characters will interact.
Whilst production was rumored to begin earlier this year but has since been halted due to the pandemic, it is now suggested filming will begin next year, probably after filming for both The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision are finished.
One thing is for certain, however – these shows will absolutely be bringing in a much-needed breath of fresh air in a largely male-dominated character field.
Words by Meghna Amin
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