'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors' Allows Young Heroes to Rise Up and Tackle Adversity

We need heroes now more than ever, and you'll find a fresh crop of young faces willing to rise up, push the status quo, and make a difference as "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors" this weekend on Sunday, September 30 on Disney Channel and Disney XD.

In the animated film “Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors,” powered teens Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Quake, Patriot, America Chavez, and Inferno join forces as an unlikely, but formidable crew of aspiring heroes. When a threat no one could have expected bears down on the Marvel Universe, this ragtag, untrained band of teens have no choice but to rise together and prove to the world that sometimes the difference between a “hero” and “misfit” is just in the name.

Last night during the Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors X Geena Davis Institute LA Debut Event, Marvel.com had the opportunity to talk to the stars and creatives behind the project on what this project means to them, how young people can overcome adversity, the significance of inclusivity and empowerment, and what they hope to see following the project.

On the #1 trait you hope the audience will take away from your character and/or “Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors”

“Comradery. Working as a team. The act of enjoying stories and the act of imagination. I would really like kids to go out and have fun. Be these characters. Play make believe. That’s what ‘Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors’ inspires.” – BooBoo Stewart, who voices Exile

“The trait of giving people a chance and not pre-judging people—to see the best in others. I hope people adopt that for themselves.” – Kat Khavari, who voices Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel

“This is very much about kids feeling like they can find their own inner power and own it and harness it. That’s the number one – discover your unique power and be pround of it.” – Sana Amanat, VP, Content & Character Development/Co-Executive Producer, “Marvel Rising”

“Realizing you don’t have to do it alone. It’s family-based, team-oriented. Something [Rayshaun] hadn’t had before. You see him shed the layers and become more of a team player and more supportive. The number one thing, learn who you are, know to do the right thing, and be okay with being the misfit.” –Kamil McFadden, who voices Rayshaun Lucas AKA Patriot

“Number one thing people should take away from Inferno – you shouldn’t set things on fire.” – Tyler Posey, who voices Dante Pertuz AKA Inferno

“A lot of young girls have seen the film and shared with us the message they got from ‘Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors.’ It’s so important to be the best version of yourself. Be unapologetic about it. Friendships matter. If there’s conflict in a friendship, work it out. If someone is on their own and doesn’t have any friends, befriend them—that’s what they need, someone on their side. We’re all just figuring it out; we don’t know what we’re doing, but you should let that stop you from trying and proving to the world, and most importantly yourself, that you have what it takes.” – Cort Lane, SVP, Animation & Family Entertainment/Executive Producer “Marvel Rising”

 

On what you admire about your character

“I admire his drive. His willingness to pursue what he wants. He has a goal and tries to accomplish it. His drive is very strong.” – BooBoo Stewart, who voices Exile

“Doreen’s got a boundless can-do optimism and resourcefulness. Regardless what she wants, she has this belief that it’s conquerable and that she can get it done on her own and with a team.” – Milana Vayntrub, who voices Doreen Green AKA Squirrel Girl

“Dante’s a good kid. He loves his family. When he gets in a position where he could be in danger, he questions it. He has a good heart and compass that leads him that right way.” – Tyler Posey, who voices Dante Pertuz AKA Inferno

“His ability to adapt. He’s a very strict, by-the-book character. In the film, you see him loosen up a little bit and realize that not everything is black-or-white. There’s a lot of grey areas. [He learns] sometimes you have to sacrifice doing what’s “wrong” to do the right thing at the end of the day.” –Kamil McFadden, who voices Rayshaun Lucas AKA Patriot

“She recognizes that she has a quality that those around her don’t necessarily have yet—that she does takes the time to understand people and get to know them and not prejudge them. She comes from a place of understanding what discrimination feels like and she recognizes not everyone has that perspective. It’s finding the things that make you you and make you unique, that you can bring to the table that others can’t, and that, in some ways whether Kamala is conscious of it or not, that’s what’s helps her.” – Kat Khavari, who voices Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel

 

On Insecurities and Tackling Hurdles

“The more time we spend competing [with others] or afraid, the less time we have to do things that really matters like reading, learning, and having quality friendships with good people. Quality friendships that make us better people.” – Milana Vayntrub, who voices Doreen Green AKA Squirrel Girl

“Dante doesn’t trust anybody. He doesn’t trust himself. He cannot figure out his powers. His powers are very much responsive to his emotions and he’s very emotional. You can’t trust anybody if you don’t trust yourself. That’s his first big hurdle – get out of your own way! Follow your gut. Be a good person. Look out for your friends, and be honest with yourself.” – Tyler Posey, who voices Dante Pertuz AKA Inferno

 

On the Power of Supportive Friendships

“Any kind of challenge to a friendship is whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Kamala and Doreen end up stranger than ever before.” – Milana Vayntrub, who voices Doreen Green AKA Squirrel Girl

“It’s important to have friends that believe in you even when you don’t.” – Kat Khavari, who voices Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel

 

On Believing Yourself And/Or Accepting/Helping Others

“I go back to something Kamala says—‘show them who you really are.’” – Cort Lane, SVP, Animation & Family Entertainment/Executive Producer “Marvel Rising”

“In real life, we are very much products of our environments and it influences us in that way. I don’t necessarily believe in just good and just evil. It’s really about skills that you’ve built up over time to survive. For these young heroes, and especially for Kamala, she wants to believe in the good in everyone, and that she could bring that good out of people. Sometimes she might, and sometimes she might not be able to, but that ideal is always there. That’s good for all of us to have that ideal even if it’s difficult sometimes. It’s very very hard. It’s a good philosophy to live by.” – Kat Khavari, who voices Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel

 

On Ways Young People Can Be Heroes In Their Communities

“I’ve actually seen a lot of young kids be their own heroes already. I’m inspired by them, and it’s just about finding out what you’re passionate about and figuring out what you believe in. When you see an injustice that bugs you to your core, find the things you can do to help. Sometimes it’s as simple as being kind to somebody else, being kind to someone who is different from you, being kind to someone who society might tell you that you should shun. The biggest thing when people are younger is that it’s so so easy to push people away or to bully people because they don’t look like you or act like or you don’t understand them. The biggest thing is that even if you don’t understand where someone is coming from, you have a lot more commonalities than you know of.” – Sana Amanat, VP, Content & Character Development/Co-Executive Producer, “Marvel Rising”

Don’t miss the premiere of “Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors” this Sunday, September 30 at 10pm on Disney Channel and Disney XD!

Lastly, Cort Lane teased if you’re heading to New York Comic-Con be sure to join us at the “Marvel Animation Presents: Marvel Rising” panel at the Javits Center on Saturday, October 6, in Room 1A06 where you can expect an announcement and see things you don’t see in the film this week.

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