Iman Vellani, star of the upcoming Marvel Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, has confessed that she finds it very strange to watch herself acting on screen. The young actress plays the titular character Kamala Khan in the series, a Muslim Pakistani-American high schooler who lives in Jersey City. A dreamer who is obsessed with superheroes (Captain Marvel in particular), Khan comes across the opportunity to become one herself when she gains cosmic powers.

Although this is everything she's ever wanted, the new Ms. Marvel still has to balance her life as both a hero and a teenager. The MCU series will also star Saagar Shaikh as Kamala's older brother Amir, Matt Lintz as her friend Bruno Carrelli, and Aramis Knight as the vigilante Red Dagger. It will consist of six episodes directed by a team consisting of a few different people, including Batgirl directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi, plus Meera Menon and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

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In an interview with TIFF, Vellani shared her thoughts on what it was like for her to watch herself performing on screen. She professed that it wasn't an entirely pleasant experience, as she didn't take into account what she actually looks like in front of a camera. Read what Vellani had to say below:

It's weird. It's really weird. Watching yourself is like the most cursed thing ever. I don't know what I look like and I realize that now. Like, you know what you look like, but you don't. You don't know what you look like when you eat or when you're happy or when you're sad or when you run. Running is the worst in my opinion. It's terrifying but in a fun way.

Ms Marvel Kamala Khan Gauntlet

As far as marketing for the upcoming series goes, not a lot has been shown, which is understandable due to all of Marvel Studios' other current happenings including the upcoming releases of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the ongoing Moon Knight Disney+ show. With Ms. Marvel up next for the streamer, though, promotion should be heating up for the series and Vellani will have to get used to seeing herself onscreen a lot more. Naturally, the nerves are understandable - not only is Ms. Marvel a beloved character but joining a franchise as massive as the MCU comes with a certain amount of pressure that would be tough for anyone, let alone for an actress making their major debut.

If fans around the world are feeling nervous about a new actress bringing a beloved character into live-action, one must take into account how the actress herself feels. Ms. Marvel has the potential to be something truly special for Vellani - a gateway to a successful acting career that could see her not only star in various Marvel projects but branch out into various other acting endeavors. In any case, she will have to get used to seeing herself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as next year her character will later be joining Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Captain Marvel herself (Brie Larson) in The Marvels.

Next: MCU Phase 4 Is Improving Captain Marvel’s Story In 2 Major Ways

Source: TIFF

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