Captain Marvel got a major shot in the arm with the studio’s confirmation of Nicole Perlman and Meg LaFauve as the film’s writers, but fan-favorite Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan may beat her idol into the MCU. A new rumor suggests that ABC’s John Ridley-helmed series is none other than the Muslim-American superhero, potentially to be paired with the Agents of SHIELD spinoff.

Take this one with a heaping helping of salt, but the possibility is too intriguing to ignore. A since-removed Reddit post alleged to have insight into on ABC’s Marvel slate, specifically that the network wanted to keep writer John Ridley in the fold after the impending cancellation of Ridley’s American Crime. Marvel offered Ridley several possibilities for a series, though the themes of tolerance and diversity involved with Marvel’s Kamala Khan character seem to have caught his eye.

Granted, it might break with continuity to establish the Khan character as Ms. Marvel before that of the Captain Marvel who inspired her, here’s what the post had to say (Via ComicBookMovie):

 

Here’s the scoop:

American Crime is getting cancelled. ABC has liked the reviews but the ratings aren’t impressing them. But they have John Ridley on contract, so they want to continue to work with him. As a result, they partnered with Marvel to give him a new project.

It should be noted that the new project is NOT the SHIELD spinoff. Two separate projects, that one is being handled by two SHIELD writers.

Originally, ABC pitched to him Cloak and Dagger, since they’ve tried to develop it in the past, but Ridley took more interest in a certain Kamala Khan and decided to incorporate her into the MCU.

Now the obvious first question is ‘how does Kamala work without Carol Danvers?’ Well apparently the current plan is to slow-burn her origin into actually being Ms. Marvel over time a la Daredevil (or at least in terms of her taking that name, I don’t know whether or not she’ll have her costume from the start or wait it out). The series will focus more on her fascination with superheroes in general, while balancing issues of religion, racism and Islamaphobia along with her crime fighting.

The show will air in the Winter, and act as a bridge between seasons of the new SHIELD spinoff, much like Agent Carter acts as a break for Agents of SHIELD, so it is likely a miniseries.

Marvel will announce the new show alongside the new SHIELD spinoff, along with renewals for Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

 

It’s certainly a lot to consider, given how little we know of Agents of SHIELD’s spinoff to begin with. In the comics at least, Kamala Khan is portrayed as an Inhuman whose powers allow her to stretch and alter her shape, adopting the name Ms. Marvel after Carol Danvers takes the “Captain” moniker. Agents of SHIELD has already lain much of the groundwork for Inhumans in the MCU, so apart from the involvement of Carol Danvers, it might make sense that Marvel would capitalize on the character’s popularity with John Ridley.

Would Ms. Marvel make for a strong addition to the MCU’s current stable, even before Captain Marvel? How should Marvel arrange its current TV lineup, with an Agents of SHIELD spinoff also in the works?

More From ComicsAlliance