Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has added yet another feather to her directorial cap but this time it’s a big one! The acclaimed Oscar-winning artist is all set to co-direct the highly-awaited film, Ms Marvel. International publication The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the exciting news. According to latest reports, Obaid-Chinoy will be teaming up with the Disney+ series, based on Marvel’s first fictional Pakistani-American Muslim superhero, Kamala Khan. Film-makers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will also be serving as co-directors on the film, alongside Meera Menon, popular for her work in The Walking Dead and Titans. Twitter users have also weighed in on the recent development. Here is what they have to say!
“Menon is known for her 2013 indie road trip comedy Farah Goes Bang, about a young Muslim woman seeking to lose her virginity”
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— Mahwash Ajaz ?? (@mahwashajaz_) September 19, 2020
I guess that’s the key then. Showing Muslim women as desperate victims who are unable to rise to the magnificence that is white neoliberalism is the best way to break it into Hollywood. ??
— Mahwash Ajaz ?? (@mahwashajaz_) September 19, 2020
Quick warning to Naive Pakistanis Probably not your moment in the International sun Remember what they have made then you can guess what will be made now #Muslimwomens stories are always skewed to sex because for liberals & religious fundamentalists thats all that defines us https://t.co/RzRAGGrbyK
— Sadaf Haider ??? ???? (@tomtomatoe) September 19, 2020
Elite class liberals duhhh https://t.co/RzRAGGIMXk
— Sadaf Haider ??? ???? (@tomtomatoe) September 19, 2020
Dubai-based journalist Mahwash Ajaz tweeted, “Menon is known for her 2013 indie road trip comedy Farah Goes Bang, about a young Muslim woman seeking to lose her virginity.” In another post, she wrote, “I guess that’s the key then. Showing Muslim women as desperate victims who are unable to rise to the magnificence that is white neoliberalism is the best way to break it into Hollywood.” Echoing her sentiments, journo Sadaf Haider penned, “Quick warning to naive Pakistanis. Probably not your moment in the international sun. Remember what they have made then you can guess what will be made now #Muslimwomens stories are always skewed to sex because for liberals and religious fundamentalists that is all that defines us.”
Geniune concern: Why is it that pakistanis who get international recognition are labeled as traitors, agents or kafirs/conspiracy in pakistan? Malala, sharmeen obaid chinoy, Asma jahngir and abdus salam are some examples.
— Hello ALI (@dorru12) September 19, 2020
They got Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on the #MsMarvel series!!! I still need to see that new Bad Boys For Life. Watch her documentaries if you haven't, they're excellent. First Pakistani to win an Oscar. pic.twitter.com/1bsNRtbr7l
— Moeez (@messofanego) September 19, 2020
BIG UP for Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. This is huge. Mam, I’ve been a fan ever since you walked that stage to collect your Oscar and now you joining the Marvel family is gonna shine this bright light on Pakistan and the talent we have. @SOCFilms I cannot wait for this ???
— Netflix and Biryani (@SalmanMGhori) September 19, 2020
Another Twitter user questioned, “Geniune concern: Why is it that pakistanis who get international recognition are labeled as traitors, agents or kafirs/conspiracy in pakistan? Malala, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Asma Jahngir and Abdus Salam are some examples.” Singing praises for Obaid-Chinoy, one user wrote, “They got Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on the #MsMarvel series!!! I still need to see that new Bad Boys For Life. Watch her documentaries if you haven’t, they’re excellent. First Pakistani to win an Oscar.” Another one of her fan’s added, “BIG UP for Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. This is huge. Mam, I’ve been a fan ever since you walked that stage to collect your Oscar and now you joining the Marvel family is gonna shine this bright light on Pakistan and the talent we have. @SOCFilms. I cannot wait for this.
http://brownidentity.com/2020/09/18/armeena-khan-is-an-international-star-her-recent-posts-detailed/
Kamala, the teenage Pakistani American superhero first debuted in a Captain Marvel comic book series in 2013 and was later given her own series in 2014. She is introduced as the first Muslim character to have her own series about her embracing her “Inhuman” shapeshifting abilities for the greater good. Perhaps the most important part of this release is that out of all of the familiar and popular characters in the series, the limelight is handed to a Muslim woman of colour.