Draft:America Chavez (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

America Chavez is a character portrayed by Xochitl Gomez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise—based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Chavez is depicted as a superhero who notably possesses the ability to travel across the Multiverse. She is a student at the Masters of the Mystic Arts at Kamar Taj.

America Chavez made her debut in the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Concept and creation
America Chavez debuted in Vengeance #1 (September 2011), created by writer Joe Casey and artist Nick Dragotta. She believed that she was raised by her two mothers, Amalia and Elena Chavez, in a reality out of time known as the Utopian Parallel. One day, her parents sacrificed themselves to save their dimension from a lethal threat. Chavez later left her home and became a superhero on Earth-616. She decided to adopt the codename of Miss America.

However, Chavez later found out that her parents were not aliens but human doctors. Her mothers were murdered while they were trying to cure her from a disease known as the Edges Syndrome. She gained her superhuman abilities after being exposed to extra-dimensional energies across experiments conducted on her. Chavez created the alien universe story as a coping mechanism.

Adaptation
In January 2020, it was rumored that the character of America Chavez would star in the sequel of Doctor Strange (2016). In December, it was confirmed by Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, that she would appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Chavez was originally intended to appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). She was supposed to play a sorcerer's apprentice type role in the film. However, this idea was eventually scrapped because of the film releasing before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a result of delays.

Filmmaker Sam Raimi discussed the inclusion of America Chavez to the MCU, stating, "She adds an exciting spirit of youth." Former Marvel Studios executive Victoria Alonso said, "Children want to see themselves represented. There is this level of identity that comes to be a very important moment in an adolescent's life – to see themselves; to not be invisible." Actress Xochitl Gomez asserted, "It’s just great that other people feel represented with her being on screen and I think it’s a really big deal. She’s representing the LGBTQ [community], Latinas, teens and girls. There’s just so much right there."

Casting
Xochitl Gomez initially believed that Marvel Studios would not chose her to portray America Chavez because of her age, being thirteen years old at the time. Chavez was intended to be depicted as a young adult. Gomez decided to send a self tape to audition nonetheless. Her first audition took place in February 2020, while a second one occurred six months later in August. She was chosen to portray Chavez two days after doing a screen test and an audition in England. The age of the character was changed to better fit Gomez' age after Marvel Studios decided to chose her.

Appearances
Xochitl Gomez portrays America Chavez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Characterization
Xochitl Gomez referred to America Chavez as "resilient" and "charismatic," saying, "Even though literally the entire world is against her, she’s hopeful and you want to root for her. That’s a really positive representation for Latinas and teen." She referred to the character as "confident" and "very optimistic" as well.

Costume designer Graham Churchyard, who created the outfit of Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, described the character as an "emo teenager," and explained that he took inspiration from the Latin American holiday Day of the Dead alongside other Latin influences to design her jacket. In the film, Chavez wears a jacket covered with Spanish poetry and Portuguese witchcraft.

Early life
America Chavez comes from the Utopian Parallel, a dimension located out of time and space, where she resides alongside her two mothers, Amalia and Elena Chavez. One day, she accidentally opens a star-shaped portal and sends both of her parents across the Multiverse. For years, Chavez has to rely on herself and travels from universe to universe alone. She encounters a version of Stephen Strange in an alternate reality. The two eventually become friends.

Battling the Scarlet Witch
Chavez and strange decide to search for the Book of Vishanti, an ancient and powerful spell book, in order to defeat a demon that is after them. Strange is murdered in the process, but Chavez manages to escape and travels to Earth-616 owing to a portal she conjures. However, another demon appears and starts chasing her shortly after. She is rescued by the Sorcerer Supreme Wong and that universe's version of Strange, who defeat the demon together. Chavez reveals that the reason demons hunt her is because she possesses the power to open portals through the Multiverse. She explains that her ability manifests when she feels scared.

Strange asks Wanda Maximoff for help after he recognizes witchcraft runes associated with the demon. However, he realizes that she is the one responsible for the attacks, and witnesses that she has been taken over by the Darkhold. He refuses to surrender Chavez and joins her at Kamar-Taj to protect her.

During a fight against Maximoff, Chavez accidentally opens a portal and transport herself and Strange to Earth-838. Both are apprehended by this universe's Sorcerer Supreme, Karl Mordo. They are brought before the Illuminati, a group consisting of Mordo, Peggy Carter, Blackagar Boltagon, Maria Rambeau, Reed Richards, and Charles Xavier. With the help of the Earth-838 version of Strange's ex-fiancé, Christine Palmer, they escape and find the Book of Vishanti. However, Maximoff appears and destroys the book, and then proceeds to control Chavez's mind, using her powers to send both Strange and Palmer in an alternate universe.

Strange manages to get back to Chavez and encourages her to believe in herself, telling her that she is strong enough to battle Maximoff. After the fight, she opens a portal to Earth-838, which leads Maximoff to realize the error of her ways. Chavez uses her power to conjure another portal and leave. She is later trained at the Masters of the Mystic Arts at Kamar Taj.

Differences from the comics
In comic books, America Chavez is depicted as a young adult while she is a young teenager in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She is not from the Utopian Parallel, which is a fictional realm created by Chavez as a response to a childhood trauma, but comes from Earth-616. After the disappearance of her mothers, Chavez was adopted by the Santana family at an early age and did not spend her childhood on her own.

Critical response
Following the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, America Chavez was praised by various critics. Brady Langmann of Esquire stated, "America Chavez may very well be the best part of Multiverse of Madness." Sandie Angulo Chen of Common Sense Media found Chavez to be a positive role model, saying, "America is courageous, curious, kind." Rosie Knight of Nerdist asserted, "She’s powerful, funny, and appropriately in control of her own story." Kristina Garcia of Los Angeles Times said, "With her witty humor, charm and fake-it-till-you-make-it confidence, the character of America Chavez in the latest “Doctor Strange” franchise film is already stealing hearts." Jenna Anderson of ComicBook.com referred to Chavez as "one of the most buzzworthy additions to the saga's ensemble." Blaise Santi of Looper included Chavez in their "13 Marvel Characters That Deserve A Character Study Like Moon Knight" list. Louis Kemner of Comic Book Resources ranked Chavez 9th in their "10 Most Lovable MCU Heroes" list, stating, "She is a charming, innocent, and wholesome person who is easy to like." Chris E. Hayner of GameSpot ranked Chavez 21st in their "38 Marvel Cinematic Universe Superheroes" list, writing, "We're only just been introduced to America Chavez via the latest Doctor Strange movie, but she's already off to an incredible start."

Additionally, the character has been described as the first Latin-American LGBT superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by several critics.

For her performance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Xochitl Gomez was complimented by multiple critics. Evan Romano of Men's Health called Gomez a "standout newcomer" and "great." Ronak Kotecha of The Times of India described Gomez as a "welcome addition as the confused yet formidable America Chavez." Amelia Emberwing of IGN found that Gomez did an "admirable job bringing America Chavez into the MCU." AMC Theatres included Gomez in their "2022 Breakout Movie Performances" list, writing, "The performance, which provided much of the heart and soul of the movie, was undeniably one of the best in 2022 superhero movies. It’s hard to imagine a Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Gomez won’t be at the center of some of the big upcoming crossover films, especially as both the actress and her young character continue to grow." Ben Sherlock of Screen Rant included Gomez in their "10 Best Performances In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness" list, saying, "Gomez’s performance combines the giddy enthusiasm of a Young Avenger with the cynical detachment of a seasoned world-hopper. Every one-liner – i.e. “This universe sucks!” – is delivered perfectly." Jessie Nguyen of Collider included Gomez in their "8 Best Performances in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" list, stating, "Gomez makes the most of her screen time to give the audience a sense of America. She also indicates that she has humorous and dramatic potential, which will aid her greatly in her future with the MCU." Timothy Stevens of Looper ranked Gomez 6th in their "Best Performances In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness" list, calling her "appealing," and said, "Thankfully, Gomez makes the best of her limited moments of quiet and conversation to give viewers a feel for America."

Fandom
Kiko Martinez of Remezcla noted the popularity of America Chavez among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after her introduction in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. AJ Gabriel of Screen Rant wrote, "The multiverse traveling teen has caught the attention of fans with her outspoken charm." Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com stated, "Marvel fans have been eager to see Gomez in the film, and the young actor did not disappoint. In fact, America Chavez is currently a trending topic on social media," while Jenna Anderson said, "Actress Xochitl Gomez gained a legion of fans earlier this year from her role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which saw her portraying the beloved Marvel character America Chavez." Michael Wash of Collider asserted, "Fans seem to agree that Xochitl Gomez's performance as the multiverse-traveling America Chavez was a high point" in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Video games

 * In 2022, Netmarble released the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness incarnation of America Chavez in Marvel: Future Fight.

Merchandise

 * In 2022, Disney released an America Chavez / Miss America doll inspired by the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness incarnation of the character. Hasbro released an America Chavez / Miss America action figure inspired by the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness incarnation of the character, as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line. Lego released an America Chavez / Miss America Lego minifigure inspired by the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness incarnation of the character. Funko released an America Chavez / Miss America Funko Pop figure inspired by the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness incarnation of the character.
 * In 2023, Disney released an America Chavez / Miss America pair of ear headbands inspired by the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness incarnation of the character.