While Waiting For Iman Vellani's MCU Return, Her Next Movie Already Has 100% On Rotten Tomatoes

Published Sep 12, 2026, 9:45 AM EDT

Sky Blanton is a Movie Contributor at ScreenRant with professional experience covering movies, television, and pop culture. Her published work spans news, interviews, features, and opinion pieces, with a focus on film, franchise storytelling, and the entertainment industry.

She earned her bachelor's degree in Communications with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in Business Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

While Marvel fans wait for Iman Vellani to return as Kamala Khan, the actor already has a movie on the way that could be just as important to her career. Mouse, the 2026 coming of age drama starring Vellani alongside Sophie Okonedo and Katherine Mallen Kupfere, currently holds a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.

Vellani's performance as Kamala turned her into one of the MCU's most promising young stars, but Mouse will take her in a completely different direction. Marvel has yet to reveal when Kamala will return after The Marvels, giving Vellani time to explore roles outside the franchise. In Mouse, she is part of a small, character-driven drama about grief, friendship, and growing up.

The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February and has since played at several international festivals. With its U.S. theatrical release set for November, Mouse is heading into theaters with a remarkably strong critical response. For Vellani, it could offer an early look at the career she is building beyond Marvel's franchise suggests.

Iman Vellani's Mouse Has 100% On RT: What It's About & What Critics Are Saying

Mouse follows Minnie Dunn, a teenager whose life changes after the death of her best friend, Callie Bell, just before their senior year. In the aftermath, Minnie forms an unexpected friendship with Callie's mother, Helen, as both navigate grief while Minnie figures out who she is without her closet friend.

Katherine Mallen Kupferer plays Minnie, with Sophie Okonedo as Helen and Chloe Coleman as Callie. Vellani plays Kat, a video store employee who becomes part of Minnie's life. The film comes from Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson, the filmmakers behind Saint Frances and Ghostlight.

Rather than turning their grief into sweeping melodrama, Mouse takes a quieter, character-driven approach, and critics have responded strongly. Radio Times called it "a thoughtful, classy drama," while Slant Magazine praised its gentle handling of difficult emotions. Vulture similarly noted that the film never becomes depressing despite the sadness at the center.

The performances have also drawn attention, particularly Mallen Kupferer's. AwardsWatch called her performance subtle and deeply affecting, while Deadline praised her casting. IndieWire brought focus to O'Sullivan and Thompson's deeply empathetic film-making and argued that their latest movie deserves a wider audience.

Vellani's role is smaller, but that makes Mouse an interesting addition to her filmography. Kat is a world away from Kamala Khan, giving Vellani the chance to show a different side of her acting in an intimate ensemble rather than another superhero blockbuster.

With Mouse currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from 15 critics, fans will get their chance to see the film when it opens in limited U.S. theaters on November 6.

Iman Vellani Needs To Be A Bigger Part Of Marvel's Future

The MCU has introduced plenty of younger heroes since Avengers: Endgame, but few have arrived with as much personality as Kamala Khan. Vellani made Kamala's excitement feel genuine rather than exaggerated, from her obsession with the Avengers to her admiration for Captain Marvel. She feels like a teenager who happens to become a superhero, not a superhero written to sound like a teenager.

That gives Marvel more than enough to build on. Kamala has already had her origin story, found her place among established heroes, and started figuring out what kind of hero she wants to become. The Marvels took that one step further by ending with Kamala looking for other young heroes, including Kate Bishop and Cassie Lang.

Marvel has not yet confirmed where that story is heading, but Kamala is an obvious choice to anchor its next generation. She can connect younger heroes to the Avengers while also bringing a perspective to the franchises that more experienced characters do not have. Most importantly, Vellani already has the charisma to make Kamala feel like a lead rather than another name on Marvel's growing roster.

Mouse makes that casting even more promising. Working on a small, intimate drama gives Vellani a chance to develop as a performer without the scale and spectacle that come with playing a Marvel hero. That experience could serve her well if she spends years returning to Kamala as the character grows alongside the MCU.

Iman Vellani has also remained enthusiastic about Kamala and the Champions, making her investment in the character clear. Marvel does not need to rush her back, but when Kamala does return, there is still so much left to explore. Her growth as a hero, her place among the MCU's younger generation, and the possibility of seeing the girl who once idolized the Avengers finally stand alongside them all give Marvel plenty of room to take her character further. Kamala Khan has barely scratched the surface of what she can become.