Iman Vellani Interview: Kamala Is the Most Mature Member of The Marvels

There’s one department the Marvel Cinematic Universe is especially consistent in -- casting. And that’s in large part due to the brilliant eye of longtime franchise casting director Sarah Finn. She’s been with the series since 2008’s Iron Man and has been sending careers soaring ever since. One of her latest A+ finds? The effervescent star of Ms. Marvel and now The Marvels, Iman Vellani.
There is no better fit for the role of Kamala Khan than Vellani. As an extremely passionate Marvel fan herself, she has effortlessly infused Kamala with an infectious enthusiasm for everything Avengers. Yes, she did experience quite the evolution in Ms. Marvel after discovering she’s a superpowered individual herself, but she still has a lot of growing to do while facing her biggest test yet in Nia DaCosta’s The Marvels where Kamala is challenged to hold her own alongside two wildly powerful MCU forces, Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau and Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel.
With The Marvels now in theaters nationwide and with SAG-AFTRA reaching a tentative deal with the AMPTP, Vellani was able to join us for an episode of Collider Ladies Night to revisit her journey scoring the role of her dreams and how Kamala’s evolved since.
00:00 - Dicey Questions
03:43 - Intro
04:23 - Becoming an Actor
05:29 - Nia DaCosta & Kevin Feige
09:31 - Auditioning for the MCU
12:20 - Playing Kamala Khan
15:49 - Brie Larson & Teyonah Parris
18:58 - Aladna
21:18 - Self-Care While Making a Big Film
23:21 - The Marvels Reshoots
25:35 - Working with Flerkens
28:08 - What’s Next for Kamala
30:00 - Kamala As a Team Leader
#themarvels #imanvellani #mcu
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[@ColliderLadiesNight]

Collider Ladies Night is about to have a BIG weekend! If you enjoyed Perri's chat with Iman, be sure to check back over the weekend to see who she's got on the show next ... Any guesses?

[@robertgoyette5863]

brie and teyonah PLEASE

[@PaulADAigle]

@@robertgoyette5863 Perri already did Teyonah after Wandavision. A Marvels one would be cool too. Brie would be an absolute pleasure as well. There are rumors that she's going to quit the Captain Marvel character. Let's hope not!

[@alsimmons4504]

In actuality, Kamala is the *most childish/kid-like* member of The Marvels, the "most mature" member of the group/trio is *undoubtedly* Capt. Monica Rambeau/Photon hands down!! Sorry, Iman Vellani 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@atticussilva5839]

WOULD LOVE TO SEE IMAN, TEYONAH, AND BRIE TOGETHER WITH PERRI. SAM L JACKSON WITH THEM THAT WOULD BE STELLAR!!! THE MARVELS IS SUCH FUN - AND SO GOOD!

[@atticussilva5839]

@@PaulADAigle I WOULDN'T SAY IMAN IS THE MOST MATURE BUT I WOULD SAY THAT SHE IS PROBABLY THE TEAM MBR WITH THE MOST EXTENSIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCE. SHE IS ALSO THE LEAST "GUARDED" EMOTIONALLY. THE CAPTAINS DEFINITELY HAD TRAUMATIC "ABANDONMENT" ISSUES AND A TENDENCY TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THE PAIN.

[@RemyLebeau1985]

She is a breath of fresh air in the MCU. I wish her nothing but success.

[@sudhiraju]

Lol .if boring is the new definition of fresh air..then best of luck

[@dennyjones6921]

I hope she does a massive amount of marvel movies

[@sudhiraju]

@@dennyjones6921 do you want Marvel to sink like titanic?

[@estebanico3262]

@@sudhiraju Nope, Iman is fun. (Wake you up!) Wake you up inside! (You can't wake up!) Wake you up inside! (Saaaave yooooo!!!) Call your name and save you from the dark!

[@tashamiel]

@@sudhirajushh, sit down, girl 🤫

[@thorinwoods2642]

I can’t wait to see Kamala and Kate interacting. They need to announce Young Avengers.

[@iLLiCiT_XL]

Iman Vellani is one of the best new additions to the MCU and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for her.

[@chasehedges6775]

She’s so adorable and an amazing actress

[@darwinfernandez8069]

She’s cool but I wouldn’t say an amazing actress. Now I’m not saying that she’s not amazing, she just hasn’t had any good writing to pair with her acting. Not really her fault but she has not done anything that even an amateur actor would consider difficult.

[@Booferty]

@@darwinfernandez8069 Its ok for people to like stuff bud,

[@zacharyalanlean2443]

She brings a smile to my face each and every time I see her on screen!

[@ThatDorkyReviewShow]

Can't wait to see her, Kate bishop, America Chavez etc on screen, them 3 alone are gonna be a blast on screen for young avengers 😂

[@Jellofreeze]

I had so much fun with The Marvels. Audiences score is 84% so I'm not the only person that enjoyed the movie. Iman is super chill for watching Brat Pack movies lol. She should do a party stream one day. Weird Science maybe?

[@user-ey5xb4sh9o]

same. i enoyed it a lot.

[@Booferty]

Iman is such a bright light. Hope she continues to shine bright out here

[@sudhiraju]

Boring bright light and overacting

[@estebanico3262]

@@sudhiraju Fun and adorable acting. How can you see into your eyes, like open doors? Breathe a new dawn into your core, where you've become so numb...

[@LuisLopez-sb1rp]

She should be in Spider-Man 4, where she tries to recruit Peter Parker, but he declines. But as she helps Peter with his new mission, they can learn from each other since they are mostly the same. In the end, she understands Peter's rejection, but she is now ready and more confident to lead the Young Avengers. What do you think? I just want to see my two favorite Marvel superheroes of all time work together.

[@adamkalb1]

I do too. I am sure Tom Holland would love to share the screen with Iman Vellani and Matthew Lintz, and they would love to see him again after he snuck into the AvengerCon set behind the scenes.

[@Marvelover15]

And Miles Morales is introduced in the film!!! (Ik it's just a dream but still!!) And Miles actually accepts but is only part time and shows up when it's actually important but then goes to Peter most of the time to learn more! So Miles gets to learn and hang around kids his age and learns from the older and more experienced Spider-Man (Which is also good for Peter so he's not so lonely)

[@rmsgrey]

I'd love to see that, but after No Way Home, Spider-Man needs a movie to deal with the consequences of shutting everyone else out - and Ms Marvel could only turn up as a mid/post credits scene in that movie, which wouldn't do her nor their interaction justice. And Spidey 5 would be too late for this particular interaction, though she could still show up (or he could show up in her next movie after he's had his Spidey 4 arc)

[@Nirvosh81]

If you do Young Avengers.. need Kang as leader, not Kamala.. go with the original Young Avengers team to introduce them. Most have already made appearances anyways... Ironlad(kang), Wiccan, Speed, Kate Bishop, Patriot, Stature.

[@kristin4706]

The pure number of times Iman Vellani says "well people online think..." or something of the like has me 🤣 (same tho haha). I hope she knows that despite all the headlines about The Marvels being a "flop" (it came out on the tail end of a super long actor's strike, resulting in little to no promotion for the movie??! I don't think it's fair to compare it to other Marvel openings lol), there's a lot of us out there who really enjoyed it. And we look forward to seeing her character grow.

[@tashamiel]

I love her, I love her, I love her! she’s cute, she’s pretty, she’s smart, and talented. I’m desperately star-struck 🤩

[@Blee_1214]

Iman has such a happy personality.

[@arbanalechordin4710]

Oh my god she is so sweet. I love her performance in Ms. Marvel (also love her dad gave her that name) and she was great in The Marvels. I'm quite critical of movies being a dad pushing 40 and Ms Vellani is a great addition to super hero movies. I hope she can play the role many more times more and wish her all the best!

[@rupertbath2748]

She comes across as so adorable, humble and human. I hope she gets a project that is a hit for her as she has gratitude for how lucky she is which another high profile actress close to her age would do well to learn.

[@suzygirl1843]

You could make her current project a hit by supporting The Marvels

[@ThatDorkyReviewShow]

Who are yoy thinking of that doesn't appreciate ger position? milli bobby brown (stranger things) 😂just curious if you were speaking in general?

[@rupertbath2748]

I did go and see it, because of the mixed reviews. She was the best thing in it@@suzygirl1843

[@PaulADAigle]

That's funny. There are believable rumors that Iman is going to be the next Kevin Feige. Knowing her intelligence and knowledge, it makes total sense.

[@CourtTV.]

Why not

[@whitetiger3697]

She's very young...

[@PaulADAigle]

@@whitetiger3697 Yeah, and Kevin Feige is getting old. At some point, he will want to hand over the reins.

[@kptmaci4979]

...what? Makes no sense? Is Feige dying or something? Dont get me wrong, but Iman, aside from her great knowledge of mcu and comics, doesnt know much about producing a movie. She would need few more years to be able to handle something like this. Feige before mcu had decades of experience. Nonsense rumour. And its clear where it came from - not a well thinking mind

[@zacharyalanlean2443]

@@PaulADAigleplus he is ok’ing horrible movies like quantumania and tv shows like secret invasion. I have zero faith in feige at all anymore. Bring on the vellani-verse!

[@BrokenSoulConfession]

Sooooo happy the actor's strike had ended (on a good note for them too!). Otherwise, we probably would not get relaxed interviews like this one with Iman. I think if the cast could do a promotion run like this before The Marvels came out, it would have helped a lot with the marketing and boost ticket sales. Because Iman is such a genuine person. I think any true (as in non-mysogynistic, non-religious-radicals and open minded) fan would simply want to support her.

[@kylearking8918]

This is my favorite Collider’s Ladies Night. I’m so glad that Iman got to come on.

[@Westcoastspidey]

I've never heard an actor say anything as relatable as "my body will break if I don't stretch" before. This was a great interview! Excited to see Iman Vellani is more things in and out of the MCU. She's awesome.

[@Booferty]

Unlike other interviewers... You ask great questions along with asking the things we want to know. Definitely got a like and sub from me. keep up the good work

[@krishna_2019]

Great interview! Iman is always so honest in her answers and is so genuine.

[@SpiderManMCUniverse]

This is her longest interview yet! I love it! She’s been such a wholesome and refreshing addition to the MCU and I can’t wait to see her in more projects outside of it. It keeps being said but she really does have an incredibly bright, blinding even, future for her career. I can’t wait to see where she and Kamala go next. She’s the best.

[@eddieanderson9399]

She so cute. I loved her in the Marvels. My favorite part is when she says... "Um, I cant fly" 😂

[@Linuxdirk]

She’s the best that could possibly happen to the whole Marvel franchise but Disney intentionally wastes that potential. Iman needs to be protected at all costs!

[@youmadornahhh]

I love her (even more) for wearing Nia DaCosta on her shirt.

[@StefanBorglycke]

She's so adorable in the movie I could cry :') Gonna have to check out Ms Marvel because I wasn't in the headspace to watch it at the time... Love her!

[@bladegriggs4090]

Watch it as soon as possible!

[@paulmaloney4387]

Iman seems like a truly awesome person - happy for her and her success!

[@bonnieamof7033]

I dispise the MCU now but this actress has won me over. Havent watched her show or the Marvels but based on the way she handles herself in interviews she is definately more mature and real than certain other actors. Looking forward to what she does OUTSIDE of the MCU.

[@robertgoyette5863]

YESSS the tower is back! great job as always perri!

[@DanielKimdanielkim90]

Yay for a long form interview!

[@Aussie27Legend]

Imagine disliking this human.

[@thedarkknight2221]

Iman Vellani is Kamala Khan IN REAL LIFE. More than Robert Downey Jr. is with Iron Man or Ryan Reynolds is with Deadpool. We need another season of Ms. Marvel ASAP because we need more of the Khan family!

[@rickster10969]

Simping much? That's hilarious considering the movie is a massive flop!!

[@chasehedges6775]

@@rickster10969 The movie sucks but she’s great

[@thedarkknight2221]

@@rickster10969 non of which is her fault. And besides, this movie has a massive handicap against it in that the comic book adaptation genre became FAR too over saturated this year with subpar shows and movies like Ant-Man 3 and Secret Invasion. And there was an actor and writer strike going on at the same time so this movie wasn’t promoted properly.

[@colereed7411]

​@rickster10969 she is more like the character then they are an arms dealer and a mercenary

[@rickster10969]

@@chasehedges6775 In what way? She hasn't done anything to make an impact or anyone to notice her. No one is talking about her character or her.

[@sofy1462]

I love your interviews so much and you with iman it's just so amazing

[@djdalad]

What a wonderful interview. I'm so impressed with how professional she is. I wish her all the success in her future career.

[@NickXmicro]

Great interview great questions. Can’t wait to see more for both of you.

[@verycooltricks8176]

I really hope she’s able to continiue her successes! It’ll be really hard for her to break out of the Marvel box but she’s very positive and enthusiastic and I really hope she’s able to keep going.

[@mechaocean170]

Her voice sounds kind of deeper here or is it just me? She's growing up!!!

[@J.Castle]

Luv her. ❤ wish her the best in her movie career.

[@worldofdevin]

She is so awesome

[@chasehedges6775]

💯💯

[@markhernandez6111]

Great interview!

[@JuanPalominoMusic]

She totally kills me, so adorable, brights so much! … 😍

[@arctic_haze]

What a cast: my favorite reviewer and my favorite superhero!

[@shinjiitsu6319]

PERRI. NIMIROFF. you are the BEST interviewer I have ever seen. You were just on Harloffs show with kris and you were so good at coming up with questions. I can see now you’re a super pro and that was just warming up. I love Iman so much and you too this is just great. Thank you Perri. You should interview everyone important at least once Maybe you can moderate the presidential debate 😂

[@arctic_haze]

Yes, the questions Perri asks are so well targeted at giving us interesting answers. Never the typical stuff the interviewed person has already answered a zillion times, making the answer colorless and boring.

[@starmaster9962]

I'm developing feelings for Iman because of how impressive she is.

[@rencefortunate]

I love Iman Vellani so much!

[@alisampebgoauteur3229]

Iman is incredibly incredible !!!

[@senatorchris3134]

I have to say Iman is the standout in this movie, she absolutely steals every scene, and in a good way. I hope she has a bright acting future, and not just as Miss Marvel, but how she steps out of that will be very interesting to see.

[@edwardbrown2818]

I just saw the Marvels! Very good movie!

[@atticussilva5839]

BEST "KAMALA" INTERVIEW YET!

[@unforeseenidiot2254]

I think Iman Vellani is my new favorite person after watching these interviews, much less her also playing my favorite character in the MCU right now.

[@BrcRosa]

She seems like an absolutely lovely intelligent creative person. I hope that she goes far in life with whatever she chooses. I also really hope Hollywood doesn't negatively impact her.

[@ozarkrunner]

I'm with Vellani. I'm not paying to be scared.

[@AlphaCenturi16]

She is amazing

[@JonnySuite13]

The strike is over, and you know what that means... Let's go talk to Perri, again!!! And who do you get? The most adorable young lady, ever!!!! I just wanna give her a big hug and not let go!! 😄😄

[@mactahvince-lm8sn]

Love her so much.

[@barakae.6259]

I Love your room Iman Vellani, I would like to read your Ms Marvel comics that you wrote. Cool ❤.

[@ajayempee]

Love her shout out to the fan base 🤩

[@rodguedes]

Amazing, adorable, can't wait to see her in Young Avengers. She's the only one who can have a poster of Ms. Marvel in her room and say, "Yes, that's me."

[@barakae.6259]

I'm so Sorry for the injury Iman Vellani.

[@rodneyhoward7828]

I loved the the ladies of light. Marvels.

[@ImJeremy23]

Beep booping!!! ahahahah that's too good, I was so confused for a half a second then it made total sense, just like doctor who in the tardis beep booping about

[@user-ey5xb4sh9o]

i enjoyed her scenes in the marvels

[@Music-By-Me.21]

She ´s so amazing my idol ❤❤

[@Jonathan22]

Awesome

[@TYMMSTER]

Very cool.

[@mythdusterds]

I can totally relate to not liking Horror films.

[@freddiemac327]

The scariest movie ever made was a movie called "Teeth". Never finished it. Ran away scared

[@ThatDorkyReviewShow]

Was that the one with the girl with teeth on her Taco 😂

[@freddiemac327]

@@ThatDorkyReviewShow That's the one! That movie gave me nightmares

[@markhales2994]

she was the best thing in the Marvels, she saved the movie, I liked the movie

[@thecomicdirector8417]

If i ever to get make movies, i want her in 1 of them

Very adorable 😊

[@williedavis4308]

' The New face of Marvel 💯

[@georgemichaelrobert6004]

She’s the best Ms.marvel

[@madroxpi9970]

Christopher Nolan is on the record as loving Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

[@mythdusterds]

That was cool seeing her Marvel Themed fingernails.

[@troychriscarretas2657]

She’s the best character in the movie

[@aresef]

Sarah Finn never misses but it's amazing how she found the actual Kamala Khan to play Kamala Khan.

[@gregorycroff7443]

The Flerkinverse!

[@pictures4urears]

I still won't watch the Marvels, but I like this young lady's character.

[@MC-zr6gc]

I've already commented that out of the three, Kamala was acting like the most grown up... after the fan girling, but still, yeah the high schooler was the adult in the room

[@Suparirg]

Iman ❤ ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@jasonwells8745]

The Young Avengers should totally be like a John Hughes movie.

[@chandruperumal8182]

❤❤❤❤

[@JaydenBBx]

❤❤

[@Phizzo4real]

Sarah Finn, apart from Feige, is most responsible fpr the success the MCU has had so far. No qonder they love her at both Marvel and Disney. One of the few ppl in Hollywood whose job as guaranteed as one can be. If she leaves Marvel, it will be due to her choice and for her to be there this long, i dont think there any character surprises coming out - like assualt or some other negative stuff.

[@spiderxparker_]

She’s so cute 😭

[@jerry247]

Iman is the Kevin replacement!

[@kant12]

Iman will make a great Kevin replacement one day.

[@Captainsting]

She literally watches all the theory videos including new Rockstars. She's also on Reddit spoiler subs lol

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

She's so cute and pretty.

[@thecavalry4]

Well, she's definitely on the better side of the new replacement avengers.

[@HafisWindari]

How beautiful she is

[@georgemichaelrobert6004]

I think they cut it in America if it was actually in the movie.

[@chasehedges6775]

She’s so cute

[@michaelkelsay4559]

I didn’t see the marvels but the only thing as common as people hating the movie is people saying how iman is the ONLY good thing about this movie she is supposedly great in her movie and really funny

[@brunogomes-qi9xk]

I Love you 😍😍😍

[@LiangHuBBB]

when is shang chi 2 bro

[@adamstewart9052]

We don't know yet.

[@freddiemac327]

Someone please set up an interview or at least a meet with Robert Downey Jr.!

[@eddieanderson9399]

Good thing her scariest movies wasnt meant as Everest from Abominable. 😂

[@zackarybabcock7852]

Comes to breeze experience with airplanes

[@DAZzler3K]

Reshoots is a sign for the writer didn't do his job first. Period. Still developing the script while shooting the movie is the most terrible idea. Have your script completed and drafted trough BEFORE you start filming. And even before starting to write your script, KNOW HOW IT ENDS! Scriptwriting 101 by Syd Field. Greenlighting a movie without a proper script is why Disney fails in a row and lost over A BILLION $'s in 2023 alone at the Box Office.