Ms. Marvel superstar Iman Vellani’s assertion about the MCU taking place on Earth-199999 has been met with a confirmation that might astonish the young actress. Fans of the cinematic franchise finally have an answer to one of the most convoluted, long-time debates surrounding its official Earth designation. To put it mildly, the verdict has stunned a lot of people.

Was Iman Vellani’s assertion proven wrong?

The official designation for the MCU in the newly released Marvel Studios timeline guidebook has been confirmed to be Earth-616. While both notions were alluded to and hinted at in movies and television shows (via references and Easter eggs), the long-running argument seems to be finally settled. Whether or not this placates the fans creates an entirely new situation.

MCU — Earth-616 vs. Earth-199999 Debate Finally Settled

Marvel Studios’ guidebook confirms Earth-616 designation for MCU.

All media within the overarching Marvel Universe is assigned a specific numerical Earth designation, as anyone familiar with the Marvel franchise in whatever format would know. Earth-616 is home to the main Marvel Comics continuity; the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy is set on Earth-96283; and the Marvel Comics Multiverse designates Ultimate Marvel as Earth-1610. Such identifiers, of which there are several, serve to organize the multiverse of the franchise.

Regarding the MCU, allusions were made in favor of two numbers, namely Earth-199999 and Earth-616, as its official designation. This sparked a debate where fans argued which classification makes more sense. Even The Marvels alum Iman Vellani chimed in, supporting the Earth-199999 designation for the cinematic universe.

The official confirmation sparks more discourse!

To everyone’s surprise, the newly released Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline has settled on a verdict. And it suggests that Iman Vellani’s belief has been disproven.

The book states that Earth-616 is where the MCU is set. According to Screen Rant, Miss Minutes, who acts as a guide throughout the book to address many questions about the MCU canon, states the following in the introduction:

“I’m Miss Minutes, and welcome to the guidebook on the beings and events that make up the universe known as 616, also known as the Sacred Timeline.”

Does this resolve the debate that plagued Marvel fans?

Both Earth Numbers Were Referenced Many Times

Miguel O’Hara’s reference in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Both Earth numbers have been mentioned multiple times. Earth-616 was identified as the primary universe of the MCU timeline in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Quentin Beck, known more commonly as Mysterio, also referred to this designation in Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Much recently, in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, audiences saw Miguel O’Hara classify the MCU as Earth-199999, as was made apparent by the line, “Don’t get me started on Doctor Strange and that little nerd back on Earth-199999.” Many deemed this a retcon to the Earth-616 allusion teased in the mentioned MCU endeavors.

Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that the official MCU timeline guidebook places the cinematic franchise on Earth-616.

Read also: Ms. Marvel Season 2 in Danger

Iman Vellani’s Take On The Matter

Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan

When the young MCU star previously stated that Earth-199999, not 616, must be the primary reality of the MCU, she made headlines and received enthusiastic support from fans. Iman Vellani even implied that she and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige would argue about this subject every time they met in a 2022 interview with Deadline.

Since Marvel Comics’ canon is set in Earth-616, the Earth-199999 argument for MCU made sense for the fans of the media property. After the guidebook’s confirmation, Vellani’s interview with THR revealed an intriguing statement from the actress, who hopes to boost the likelihood of Ms. Marvel Season 2:

“I’m trying not to give him [Feige] a hard time right now until I get [Ms. Marvel] season two, and then maybe I’ll email him another 72 questions. Yeah, I’m taking it easy. If he says the MCU is [Earth-] 616, I’ll let him believe that.” 

Vellani’s lighthearted quip suggests that she still supports the Earth-199999 designation for MCU.

Although the guidebook has sparked further discourse, the cinematic franchise might officially stick to the Earth-616 classification.