Iman Vellani Shares Her Vision for the MCU If She Were in Charge

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on a journey of expanding crossovers, larger casts, and increasingly interconnected narratives, with Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan emerging as one of its most passionate new heroes.

Since her debut as Ms. Marvel, Vellani has engaged with the franchise not just as an actress but as a lifelong Marvel enthusiast, openly sharing her thoughts on the direction the universe should take next.

Her unique perspective makes her insights about the MCU particularly compelling, especially since Kamala is a character who idolizes superheroes and dreams of their collaborations. Vellani has previously argued that Marvel should focus on making audiences care more about its characters instead of merely escalating the scale of each new project, while also expressing excitement about the potential interactions among newer heroes.

Recently, however, Vellani shared a different perspective on how Marvel should navigate its increasingly crowded superhero landscape. In a recent interview discussing her career and comic-book work, she was asked what she would do if she had control of the MCU, and her response was refreshingly straightforward: she would “maybe do less team-ups.”

At first glance, this might seem surprising coming from someone who has long advocated for Kamala to connect with other young heroes. However, Vellani’s comments align with her previous statements: the MCU thrives when audiences have a reason to invest in the characters behind the costumes, rather than just being presented with ever-expanding crossover events.

This philosophy was evident when Vellani discussed Kamala’s future around the release of ‘The Marvels.’ In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she emphasized her desire for Kamala to have space to thrive within her own community, particularly in Jersey City, rather than having that world sidelined by constant team-ups. She also expressed enthusiasm for a potential Young Avengers storyline, suggesting that the key could be balancing solo adventures with larger ensemble narratives.

Thus, Vellani’s latest comment is less a dismissal of team-ups and more a call for their selective use. Her own journey within the MCU has shown how quickly a character can be integrated into the larger franchise, with Kamala transitioning from her Disney+ debut into ‘The Marvels’ and becoming part of Marvel’s broader plans for its next generation of heroes.

This distinction could grow increasingly significant as Marvel approaches its next major crossover. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set to premiere on December 18, 2026, featuring an extensive ensemble that brings together characters from various corners of the MCU, alongside the Fantastic Four and X-Men.

Vellani has recently shared her thoughts on what she hopes to see from such spectacles. In an August interview on the Revenge Of podcast, she stated that while universe-ending stakes can be thrilling, Marvel must build toward them and ensure those stakes feel justified.

This insight becomes even more revealing when considering Vellani’s work outside the MCU. She recently appeared on the ‘Off Panel’ podcast to discuss her new creator-owned comic series ‘Chachu,’ along with her experiences in writing comics and developing her own stories.

Vellani has also shown that her opinions on Marvel are not just those of an actress defending her character. She has written for Marvel Comics, including ‘Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant,’ providing her with a unique understanding of how superhero narratives can balance expansive mythology with personal character arcs.

Whether Marvel would ever take production advice from one of its youngest stars remains to be seen, but Vellani’s suggestion underscores a growing debate within the MCU: bigger isn’t always better if audiences begin to lose their connection to the characters at the heart of the spectacle.

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