America Chavez’s debuted in Marvel Comics back in 2011 through a limited run titled Vengeance before later returning for crossover events in Young Avengers and A-Force. It was in 2016 that a solo series for America was announced, permitting Marvel to lean further into the nuances of the character. America was written by Latina novelist Gabby Riviera in 2018 prior to its cancellation. Raised by her mothers in the Utopian Parallel, America fled the destruction of Utopia and instead found herself bounding from reality to reality under the alter-ego of Miss America. As her story unfolded, she became the first lesbian Latina in Marvel Comics. Her identity became a symbol of power as America fully embraced her identity through her recurrence throughout the comics' multiverse.

Marvel Studios will soon deliver the sequel to Doctor Strange, an impatient seven years — the longest time for any MCU sequel — after the original film spellbound the big screen. Though the film is still undergoing reshoots, according to lead Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness promises that chaos will ensue across the Multiverse and attempt to keep in stride with the constantly impeding and truly unstoppable unraveling of timelines. Rumors, speculations, and leaks have led fans to believe that Doctor Strange 2 will dethrone Spider-Man: No Way Home’s current championship of crossover events, and elevate the possibilities of which characters — or their variants — may play a greater part in the unfathomably ambitious sequel film. Marvel Studios are not completely confirming that every hinted-at or teased character will truly manifest in the film at all, though have been generous enough to underline their core protagonists. Joining the headlining cast is Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. Gomez’ prominent role in Doctor Strange 2 marks the first rendition of the superheroine in live-action as well as the actress’ first project associated with Marvel Studios. Before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters in May, here's a refresher on who America Chavez is.

Related: Everything We Know About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

What is America Chavez' Role in the MCU?

Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in Multiverse of Madness
Marvel Studios
Disney

Doctor Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) will be in the company of Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong) as they must control Wanda “the Scarlet Witch” Maximoff's (Elizabeth Olsen) ongoing mystical mental breakdown before she completely loses control of herself, damaging the already-frail Multiverse even more. It is implied that Wong and Strange seek out America for help. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi offered more insight about America's specific role in an interview with Empire Magazine, where he opened up about one of the freshest faces in the MCU. “Strange is still learning about the multiverse. And here’s a character that can actually travel through it. He’s such a know-it-all all the time, and to have to learn from a kid probably smarts," Raimi said. The director also teased that America will operate as a guiding figure as Strange investigates the mysteries of the Multiverse. “He is very aware that he must not allow Multiversal episodes like we experienced in No Way Home because he saw how dangerous they were." Besides that, Raimi and the Doctor Strange 2 team have seldom shared more information concerning America's place in the MCU moving forward. Per previous speculation, there have been suggestions that a Young Avengers team-up may be the next move for Miss America.

Where Does America Chavez Get Her Powers?

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Marvel Studios

In the comics, it is confirmed that America was given her powers after her mothers conducted experiments on her. She and her estranged sister were granted superhuman abilities as a consequence of these scientific practices, and there was the intention to rid America of a genetic disease. The MCU has not shared just how they have decided America will earn her powers in the films, or what route they will gear her origin story in. Because the Utopian Parallel is still foreign to the live-action depiction of the comics, Doctor Strange 2 screenwriter Michael Waldron may forego including that direly important segment of her backstory altogether, and redesign her heroic becoming through his own point-of-view (as is being similarly done to Kamala Khan's powers in the upcoming Ms. Marvel Disney+ series). Considering the unpredictable nature of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the film could elect to introduce the Utopian Parallel or even include a mention of how America first developed her powers throughout the comics.

Related: Ms. Marvel: How the MCU Changed Kamala Khan's Powers (& Why)

How Strong is She?

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Marvel Comics

America has fallen in the ranks of one of the strongest characters in Marvel Comics. Her nearly-invincible state poses a new threat to even the most fearsome foes that she may have to conquer. In the trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she is first seen battling Gargantos, and their confrontation teases her strength. In the comics, America possesses the power of speed, durability, and superhuman abilities. She can manipulate the Multiverse and travel between dimensions as she is known to hop from timeline to timeline. america also has the ability to create interdenominational portals at will and destroy the barriers between them, deeming her to be one of the most ultra-powered characters to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's expected that these great feats will be on full display as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness arrives in theaters on May 6, 2022.