Speaking exclusively to Screen Rant, Marvel visionary Kevin Feige has confirmed that the MCU’s version of Kamala Khan wasn’t born at the time of Captain Marvel. Created by Marvel Comics back in 2013, Kamala Khan - a.k.a. Ms. Marvel - is one of the most popular of Marvel’s so-called “Legacy Heroes.” The teenager was inspired by Carol Danvers, and made history as the first Muslim-American superhero to headline her own book.

Over the last year, there have been recurring rumors that Marvel Studios was planning to introduce Kamala Khan into the MCU sometime after Carol Danvers made her debut. Those were fanned into flames by Feige himself in an interview last year, in which he implied audiences wouldn’t have long to wait to meet the MCU’s version of Kamala. Brie Larson herself, aware of how important and influential a character Kamala is, has said her dream is to have the teenage superhero introduced in the sequel.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Kevin Feige has confirmed that Kamala Khan will be introduced in the present day. We asked whether it was possible viewers had already met the young Kamala, but Feige insisted that wasn’t the case.

It’s an interesting comment, not least because it helps clarify Captain Marvel’s role in the MCU. Carol Danvers has (so far as we know) been entirely absent from Earth for the last two decades, only returning when she’s summoned by Nick Fury in the post-credits scene of Avengers: Infinity War. Presumably whatever happens in Avengers: Endgame will lead to Captain Marvel being seen by the people of Earth, and recognized as a hero who fights alongside the Avengers. Feige has already indicated that he wants the MCU’s Kamala Khan to be comic-book-accurate, a young Muslim-American who’s inspired by Carol Danvers.

“No. No. I mean Monica you’ve mentioned and it’s not hidden. Obviously. It’s right there. The answer is no. Cause I think Ms. Marvel is a contemporary story and I don’t think she was born yet.”

The truth is that a comic-book-accurate Kamala Khan works much better in the modern MCU, rather than being rooted in the history of the franchise. Like the MCU’s Peter Parker, Kamala grew up in a world of superheroes and super-villains; but she drew particular inspiration from Carol Danvers’ heroism, and loved that a woman could stand alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. When Kamala gained powers herself - the comic book version is an Inhuman, but that may be changed given Marvel Studios don’t seem particularly interested in the Inhumans - she took up the identity of Ms. Marvel in honor of her hero. To her delight, she’s earned Carol’s approval, and the dynamic between the two is a tremendously entertaining one. But Carol isn’t the only superhero Kamala loves; in fact, she participates in online RPGs in which she often ships the different Avengers. The more experienced heroes love her for her enthusiasm and idealism, even if they do sometimes disagree with her insistence on putting herself at risk.

More: Every MCU Connection In Captain Marvel

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