Moon Knight is already shaping up to be one trippy superhero adventure. Marc Spector/Steven Grant is the unlikely champion of the Egyptian God of “Real Justice”, Khonshu. And he finds a nemesis in Ethan Hawke’s Arthur Harrow. Harrow’s megalomaniacal ambitions to rid the world of all evil will be thwarted by the Fist of Khonshu. And aiding him in his crusade is May Calamawy’s character – Layla El-Faouly. Why is Calamawy’s character Layla so important in Moon Knight?
And what role will the character play in Moon Knight Episode 3?
SPOILER ALERT: Major Spoilers for Moon Knight Episode 1 & 2 up ahead…….
Who is Layla El-Faouly & Why Does She Matter?
From previously confirmed reports on Moon Knight, Layla El-Faouly is an archeologist. She is one of Marc’s staunchest allies and also, his estranged wife. Layla knew Marc well before he became Moon Knight so there’s a connection between the two that goes deeper between that of Marc and Khonshu’s. Layla’s status as Marc’s spouse is definitely an angle that will be explored in future Moon Knight episodes. We are hoping Moon Knight Episode 3 will shed some more light on Layla and Marc’s relationship.
Moon Knight Layla Does Have A Comic Book Counterpart
To be honest, Marvel Studios has not been completely honest with you. There is a character in Marvel Comics that also goes by the name Layla. Layla Miller is a character that shot to fame during the House of M story arc. She is a mutant with the ability to breathe fire and has horns on her head. When Scarlet Witch rewrites reality, she gains one more ability: the power to see different realities.
Layla El-Faouly and House of M’s Layla Miller do not share a lot in common. But it is the latter’s ability to tell the people truth by looking into other timelines is what allowed the world to escape the horrors of House of M. In Moon Knight, Layla El-Faouly will probably play a similar role. She is here to show Marc Spector the error of his ways and allow Steven to see the truth. Layla may be crucial in helping Marc Spector come to terms with his dissociative identity disorder. In a way, she accomplishes the same thing that House of M’s Layla Miller did, albeit with no powers.
What May Calamawy Says About Layla’s Role In Future
In a recent interview, Calamway was asked what will Layla El-Faouly’s contribution be in the future episodes of Moon Knight. She was heard saying this and we quote:
“Just to go deeper into her….ummm… Finding herself and her space, like, not trying to help a man or like her partner. But just like who she is, as a woman.”
Moon Knight Theory: Layla Will Become Ammit’s Avatar
This may sound like we are reaching here. But it is actually possible if Calamawy’s words are indeed true. The Gods do not choose just anyone as their Avatar. You need to have the physical acumen and mental strength to go where no person would dare go before. Khonshu chose Marc because despite being broken inside his head, he had the power to bear the burden of being his Avatar.
And Khonshu did say in Episode 2 that after Marc, he will probably chose Layla as his new host. And this may have a deeper meaning. Remember that the only God from the Ennead we have seen so far choses a host to carry on his legacy. Without a host, Khonshu can only do so much, as mentioned by harrow in the second episode. That is the modus operandi of maybe the other Egyptian Gods too. Ammit may be able to come back to Earth but to make widespread changes, she needs an Avatar. If in Moon Knight, Layla is fit for Khonshu, she is most likely fit for being Ammit’s new host.
