A bunch of Marvel’s coolest superheroes are starring in their own movie, but it won’t be part of the established Marvel Cinematic Universe.
On Thursday, Marvel announced the creation of a brand-new franchise under the umbrella name Marvel Rising, that will be built upon one new animated feature Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors in 2018. The franchise will begin with six digital shorts that will tie in to the animated movie.
Borrowing its name from the S.H.I.E.L.D. team in Marvel’s comic books, the Secret Warriors will star fan-favorite heroes Ms. Marvel, Spider-Gwen, Squirrel Girl, and America Chavez. In case you hadn’t noticed, Marvel Rising will have a clear focus on characters who represent racial and gender diversity.
Specific plot details are under wraps, but Marvel not only unveiled the full roster of the Secret Warriors, but they also announced its star-studded voice cast, including two stars from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chloe Bennett and Ming-Na Wen. However, Marvel Rising will not be part of the interconnected MCU. Though Bennett plays her S.H.I.E.L.D. character Daisy Johnson/Quake, it’s a different version of the character than Marvel TV fans are familiar with.
In the announcement trailer, Bennett says this version of Quake is younger compared to the primetime, live-action version she plays on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. “She’s younger, and I think that comes with a few different things. She has something to prove,” Bennett says.
On top of that, the mere existence of Spider-Gwen (voiced by Dove Cameron) means Marvel Rising cannot be in the MCU, given how intrinsically tied her story is to Peter Parker’s Spider-Man. In the Spider-Gwen comics, Gwen lives in a parallel universe where Gwen is bitten by a spider while Peter Parker becomes the Lizard.
Captain Marvel (voiced by 24 star Kim Raver) leads the Secret Warriors, while Brie Larson has yet to debut on the big screen in the MCU-cannon Captain Marvel.
The full roster of Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors is as follows:
The post for 'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors.'
Gwen Stacy aka Ghost-Spider/Spider-Gwen, voiced by Dove Cameron. Bitten by a radioactive spider and gaining spider-like powers, Gwen Stacy becomes “Ghost-Spider” while hiding her superhero life from her father, Captain George Stacy, who sees Ghost-Spider as a menace rather than a hero.
Daisy Johnson aka Quake, voiced by Chloe Bennet, a lead agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Like in the TV show, Quake can generate vibrational waves, which produce effects similar to earthquakes.
Dante Pertuz aka Inferno, voiced by Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf). A brooding loner, Dante is an Inhuman who is able to generate fire.
Victor Kohl aka Exile, voiced by BooBoo Stewart (Twilight), is a charming young Inhuman who can use Darkforce energy to create weapons and portals.
Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, voiced by Kathreen Khavari. One of the most popular new characters from Marvel, Kamala Khan is a superhero fangirl who dreams of having superpowers and gets her wish. She takes on the name of her idol, Ms. Marvel, and has metamorphic powers that allow her to stretch, enlarge, or shrink parts of her body.
Doreen Green aka Squirrel Girl, voiced by Milana Vayntrub, who will also play the character in the live-action New Warriors TV show. Imagined as Ms. Marvel’s best friend in Marvel Rising, Doreen has advanced computer skills as well as the senses of a squirrel. Doreen will be partnered with her squirrel sidekick, Tippy Toe, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
America Chavez, voiced by Cierra Ramirez (The Fosters). Powerful, fast, and able to fly, America is kind of a loner with a “painful” past, according to the Marvel press release.
Rayshaun Lucas aka Patriot, voiced by Kamil McFadden. Hoping to live up to Captain America’s legacy, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Rayshaun becomes Patriot, another point of reference proving Marvel Rising is not in the MCU; in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Jeffrey Mace (Jason O’Mara) was Patriot.
Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel, voiced by Kim Raver. It’s THE Captain Marvel, who inspires the Secret Warriors in the new continuity.
The Marvel Rising franchise is expected to launch in late 2018.
