Adil El Arbi looks back on ‘Ms. Marvel’: “The series scored very well, especially with young people”

Just like the first episode of ‘Ms. Marvel’, Adil and Bilall also directed the final installment of this Disney+ series. “Actually, those are the two hardest episodes to make,” Adil says. “In the first one, you have to introduce all those characters. In an exciting way. And the last one has to be a dignified and cool closing so that people have something to say: it was worth sticking around. And those are the responses I get. From fans all over the world. Even Bob Chapek, the big boss of The Walt Disney Company, Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) and Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk) personally congratulated us.”

And even in his immediate environment, the director only gets positive reactions. “Almost all of them are Muslims and they recognize themselves in the main character Kamala Khan. They are happy that there is finally a first Islamic superhero they can look up to. By the way, it is a tribute to my wife (VRT journalist Loubna Khalkhali, ed.). Fighting for what is right, a great sense of responsibility, down to earth,… But Nakia, Kamala’s best friend, also contains elements of my wife. Wearing a headscarf and the colorful clothing style.”

Despite rave reviews from the public and the press, “Ms. Marvel’ no ratings gun. Although Adil has a simple explanation for that. “Kamala Khan is quite unknown in the Marvel universe. You can’t compare her to a Peter Parker or Tony Stark. The cast didn’t consist of very famous names either. That only made the challenge bigger. But ‘Mrs. Marvel’ mainly reached a lot of young people, that was also our target audience. In that segment, we had the highest marks of any Marvel series. Mission accomplished! And the fan base around Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel will only get bigger in the coming years. We really see this as the start of something beautiful.”

Adil doesn’t know yet what Marvel’s plans are with this superheroine. “Kamala is in the new movie ‘The Marvels’, along with Captain Marvel, which is due out next year. But Bilall and I are not involved in that. Although we do hope that there will be a second season of ‘Ms. marvel’. Or a movie that revolves around her. This way we can go all the way with our visual style and involve other characters from the Marvel universe. Just think of ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Deadpool’. That would be a very nice dynamic. Or do we not even want to play along? Well, in the second episode, Bilall and I have a little cameo in the mosque. But we prefer to be behind the camera.”

Continued or not: ‘Ms. Marvel’ was an unforgettable experience for Adil. “Bilall and I are huge Marvel fans. It is a miracle that we were now allowed to make a modest contribution to the universe ourselves. They’ll never take that away from us. Just like the friendships forged with the actors. We are one big family. With Bilall and myself as big brothers.”

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The director cannot yet say anything about new projects in Hollywood, but he also wants to continue making films and series in Belgium. “In our country you have more artistic freedom. You can try new things and take risks. Without it having major consequences. In Hollywood, it’s a bit more difficult. But there you have more budget for big explosions and action scenes. For the entire series of ‘Ms. Marvel’ there was a budget of 93 million euros. And that’s very little for a Marvel series.”

A move to America is also out of the question for Adil. “I love being at home with my wife, family and friends way too much for that. Besides, I’ve been there enough already. If teleportation exists, I’d love to have it as a superpower. Travel without having to take the plane.” Adil is totally living it up in Hollywood, but he still keeps his feet on the ground. “Just act normal: that’s our Belgian side. And in the Muslim world, modesty is also very important. That combination ensures that we try to do our job as well as possible and that we are also very grateful.”

Adil El Arbi wants to take some gas back after hectic time

IN PICTURE. Adil El Arbi And His Wife Train With Superheroes At New Marvel Campus At Disneyland Paris

“Fascinating, funny, charming”: Adil & Bilall score high with ‘Ms. marvel’

Watch the trailer for ‘Ms. marvel’