Marvel Studios and Disney+ are making history by presenting Ms. Marvel, a miniseries that focuses on Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a Pakistani-American teenage superhero that lives in New Jersey. No surprise, Pakistanis are extremely excited. The problem? Disney+ isn’t available in Pakistan.
A Groundmaking Decision For Representation
So in a groundbreaking move, Disney is editing the six-episode miniseries into three movies and will release them in Pakistan so the population can fully enjoy the first superhero (at least an international superhero… they may have local releases) that reflects them. This sounds like a great idea! I’d be willing to bet there are plenty of American fans who would enjoy watching some of the Disney+ Marvel or Star Wars shows on the big screen, even in special limited releases like those through Fathom Events. (Although they should probably break them up into chunks like they’re doing with Ms. Marvel. I don’t want to sit in a theater seat for six to eight hours.)
The first two episodes will be released in Pakistan on Thursday, June 16. The next two are on Thursday, June 30. The last two are on Thursday, July 14. The episodes will be screened in their “cinema format version.” In the U.S., Ms. Marvel will kick off on Disney+ on June 8, 2022.
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy directed some of the episodes and was the one who broke the news of its theatrical release. Bisha K. Ali developed the show for television. Joining Vellani in the cast are Matt Lintz as Bruno Carrelli, Kamala’s best friend; Yasmeen Fletcher as Nakia Bahadir, another of Kamala’s close friends; Zenobia Shroff as Kamala’s mother, Muneeba; Mohan Kapur as Kamala’s father, Yusuf Khan; Saagar Shaikh as Kamala’s older brother, Amir; Rish Shah as Kamran, a boy Kamala has a crush on; Laurel Marsden as Mean Girl, Zoe Zimmer; Adaku Ononogbo as Fariha; Laith Nakli as Sheikh Abdullah; Travina Springer as Amir’s wife, Tyesha Hillman; and Aramis Knight as the villain Kareem/Red Dagger.
You can read the entire announcement of Ms. Marvel‘s theatrical release below:
“BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
I have exciting news to share: An Eid present for Pakistan!! We are bringing Ms.Marvel to theaters across the country!!
Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel” to be Released in Cinemas in Pakistan
The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios have a special announcement to make. Marvel Studios’ new original series “Ms. Marvel” will be released exclusively in cinemas only in Pakistan, through their licensee HKC Entertainment.
Disney and Marvel will be specially creating a cinema format version of the six-episode series for Pakistan, split into three parts as follows:
- Episodes 1 and 2 will debut on 16th June
- Episodes 3 and 4 will debut on 30th June
- Episodes 5 and 6 will debut on 14th July
This decision was made to celebrate the introduction of the first Pakistani Marvel superhero, Kamala Khan (played by Iman Vellani), into the MCU. The series also features a diverse cast both in front of and behind the camera. Disney and Marvel did not want Pakistani audiences to miss out on seeing Ms. Marvel and her story as Disney+ has not yet launched in their country.”
