• Before Iman Vellani was cast as Ms. Marvel, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was a favorite for the role.
• She says she would not want to play a Pakistani character.
• Also said she’d love to be a member of the Marvel team.

Ms. Marvel is the most recent superhero project, and it has the entire world excited and invested. If you’re a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you’re undoubtedly well aware that the series features one of the most diverse superhero characters ever. However, did you know that before Iman Vellani was cast, actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan of Never Have I Ever renown was a favorite contender for the part?

Read more: Malala Yousafzai is happy to see Pakistani actors in ‘Ms Marvel’

For the uninitiated, the series premiered in the second week of June and has received great feedback thus far. Bisha K Ali wrote and directed the film, which stars Aramis Knight and Matt Lintz among others. Because the plot is set in southern Asia, Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar plays a key role in the film.

Most rumors stated Maitreyi Ramakrishnan would play Ms Marvel’s principal character, Kamala Khan, before the actor for the part was confirmed. When asked about the rumours in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she flatly denied them, explaining why she does not want to play a Pakistani role.

Read more: Pakistanis Dissatisfied With Family Representation in Ms Marvel Clip

“I’ve seen a couple of posts about that, but honestly, no. Kamala Khan is Pakistani and I’m Tamil. If there was a Tamil superhero, I wouldn’t want to see a Pakistani girl playing [her]. I would say, ‘Really? You couldn’t find anybody who was Tamil?’ So why would I want to do that to the Pakistani community? That wouldn’t be fair”, according to Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

“Trust me, I’d love to be a superhero,” Maitreyi Ramakrishnan remarked when asked if she’d like to be a member of Marvel.  “I love Marvel so much. I could be the daughter of Deadpool or his apprentice or something. Maybe Deadpool adopts a South Asian girl. It would make sense — Ryan Reynolds and I would both make the Canadian jokes.”