Now more than ever, diversity and representation are needed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The animated streaming series What If…? flips the Marvel Cinematic Universe on its head by bringing in new superheroes and fresh stories. One such new character is Kahhori, a young Mohawk woman who gains superpowers after coming into contact with the Tesseract.
She battles the Spanish conquistadors with her powers in an effort to save her people. Kahhori is a strong, independent, and compassionate character who would be a great role model for Native American audiences. Should an actress portray a role in a live-action film series, who could that actress be?
Well, that one actor can be, without any second thought, the gifted Native American actress, Lily Gladstone, who has delivered flawless performances in flicks like Killers of the Flower Moon and Certain Women. If she were to make her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she would be a fantastic Kahhori. Don’t you think that both share so many similarities?
Let’s first understand the character of Kahhori.
What If…?’s Kahhori: The Latest Marvel Superhero Explained
It could be argued that indigenous representation is currently at an all-time high. Even though we must acknowledge the importance of representation, we are aware that not all forms of it are beneficial. For this reason, it is especially remarkable and encouraging that Marvel’s What If…? animated series features the debut of Kahhori, a new Mohawk character.
Fans were first introduced to the new character with the release of the sixth episode of the show, What If… Kahhori Reshaped the World? However, many are still curious about her identity and place in the MCU. Well, for the record, with the help of the Space Infinity Stones, Kahhori, a young Mohawk woman from pre-colonial America and a member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, attains superhuman abilities.
Simply put, she awakens in an alternate reality where she and her fellow Mohawk people are imbued with the power of the Tesseract, also known as the Space Infinity Stone, following her escape from Spanish conquistadors by entering the “forbidden lake”.
Being the first fully original MCU hero without a backstory or connections to the comics, Kahhori—voiced by Canadian Mohawk actress Devery Jacobs—made studio history.
Mohawk Nation historian Doug George argues that Kahhori’s inclusion in the MCU gives the world much-needed Indigenous representation. He also states that it was a smart decision to allow her to live in a place where her people were spared the kind of violent colonization that takes place in the real world. He informed Marvel.com.
“[The episode] tells a remarkable story from a Native-Mohawk perspective which is truly unique and historical, and will give the viewers a new, challenging and entertaining perspective on this land’s first peoples. The story is dramatic, the characters fully realized, and the action sequences are breathtaking. The episode is exceptional in another sense–it is done with the complete cooperation of the Mohawk people from dialogue to adornment.”
Lily Gladstone would be perfect for the role of Kahhori because she has the physical presence and acting talent necessary to bring the character to life.
Lily Gladstone: A Marvelous Choice for Kahhori’s Role
Known for her standout performances as Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon and as Tana in The Unknown Country, Lily Gladstone’s exceptional skills and increasing prominence in the entertainment industry have made her one of the brightest stars on the horizon.
Her capacity to fully inhabit a variety of roles and convey the nuance of nuanced characters has been proven so far. Thus making her an outstanding choice for a groundbreaking Marvel role.
It is long overdue for Native American characters to be represented in popular media. Therefore, Marvel Studios must give Indigenous communities real representation by casting Gladstone as Kahhori. Being of Blackfeet and Kainai descent herself, the actress is aware of the cultural subtleties and sensitivity needed to appropriately depict a Native American character. This is an excellent opportunity that fits in perfectly with Marvel’s mission to promote diversity in their film universe.
By casting the Fancy Dance actress, Marvel would be able to upend Hollywood’s established narrative while also celebrating and inspiring Indigenous audiences.
Also read: Fans Half-Expect 1 What If…? Character Will be MCU Canon and Replace Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk
Her casting marks a major step toward inclusivity and representation for Native American communities, as Marvel Studios has been gradually diversifying its roster of super-powered heroes. With Gladstone, Kahhori deserves her moment to shine in the live-action film or a show and leave her mark on the Marvel universe!
Disney Plus is currently streaming What If.
