Disney Plus and Marvel are bringing Ms Marvel, the first Muslim and Pakistani superhero to the MCU this June. Given her Pakistani heritage, it’s quite obvious that viewers in our neighbouring country are super-excited about the show. Not only does the series explore Ms Marvel’s Pakistani roots, it also features cast and crew of Pakistani origin.
But there’s a king-sized dampener for eager Pakistani fans of Ms Marvel – there’s no Disney+ in Pakistan yet, unlike India that has Disney+ Hotstar since long. However, Pakistani Marvel enthusiasts need not fret. Disney is going all out to please excited Ms Marvel fans. Just so that Pakistani fans are not deprived of the chance to watch the first Pakistani superhero, Disney plans to screen Ms Marvel in the theatres! How cool is that!
All episodes of Ms Marvel will release in theatres in Pakistan. The six-episode series will follow the one-episode per week pattern in the rest of the world. However, in Pakistan, the series will release in the form of two episodes in one screening session in the theatres – for a total of 3 sessions. Episodes 1 and 2 will screen on June 16; Episodes 3 and 4 will screen on June 30; and Episodes 5 and 6 will screen on July 14. The theatrical release dates in Pakistan will overlap with the Disney+ releases of Episodes 2, 4, and 6, respectively, in order to avoid piracy.
Ms Marvel centres on precocious Pakistani-American teenaged girl, Kamala Khan, who gets superhero powers by a twist of fate. Besides exploring Kamala Khan’s entry into the superhero universe, the series will also explore the Pakistani heritage of the heroine.
Lead actress Iman Vellani—Kamala Khan, aka Ms Marvel in the series—is herself an American of Pakistani origin. Saagar Shaikh is another American-Pakistani actor playing a pivotal role in the series. Pakistani actresses Samina Ahmad and Nimra Bucha are part of the series too. And Fawad Khan is rumoured to play a pivotal role in Ms Marvel, though there’s been no glimpse of him in the teasers yet. The director of Ms Marvel is also Pakistani – the celebrated filmmaker, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Watching the saga of the MCU’s first Muslim and Pakistani superhero on the big screen will be a memorable experience, no doubt. Hope Pakistanis take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy the series to the hilt!