One of the most exciting parts of the upcoming Marvel slate of films is the extension of the universe into properties headlined by female characters. In 2018 Ant-Man and the Wasp comes to theaters and then the first female solo film, Captain Marvel in early 2019. Brie Larson has already been cast for the iconic role and has had a lot of time to prepare and get her mind around how she will go forward in the role. She recently spoke with Total Film about moving into blockbuster movies after a career largely spent in smaller pictures.
Some of my favourite movies are big movies…I want to find the best way to express the human condition and get it to as many people as possible. Wherever that takes me is cool.
At times some actors can have a certain arrogance about their craft and in particular will look down on big budget films like Captain Marvel. It’s refreshing to see an actress of Larson’s caliber talking so glowingly about the possibilities with broadly accessible movies. She wants to reach as many people as possible as an actress and it makes sense that Marvel is one of the best ways to do that.
Larson is also aware of the big responsibility she has as the first Marvel female solo lead, particularly when taking on a character with the significance of Captain Marvel. She’s being careful to prepare for the role well.
I feel a great responsibility. I have so many conversations with fans about the universe and this character in particular. I’m grateful for social media for that, actually-it’s such a great way to connect with people, to understand what it is they love about this character, what it is they hope to see. Where this character’s at in the comic books is such an inspiring space, right now. I’m so grateful to be part of it.
Larson clearly is focusing on comic fans, because they ultimately know the character more than anyone else. Her approach seems similar to that taken of Jon Bernthal as he prepped for the Punisher in Daredevil season 2. For many years comic books were twisted into the procrustean bed of what executives thought broad audiences would accept or enjoy. The turn to listening to the source material’s fans in order to get what makes the character tick is part of the formula behind Marvel’s success. Larson is smart enough to know that she is not creating a character, she’s receiving a heritage that she has to expand upon. The respect of that history is wonderful and makes a compelling case for Marvel casting characters early, so the actors involved can spend some time immersing themselves in the history and culture around that character.
Captain Marvel starring Larson is due to hit theaters March 8, 2019.
Source: Total Film
