According to a newly-released excerpt of the book ‘MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios,’ Oscar-winning actor Brie Larson shared her initial reluctance to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Captain Marvel due to an identity crisis.
Larson’s acting career began as a child, with appearances in films like ’13 Going on 30,’ ‘Sleepover,’ and ‘Hoot’ before she turned 18. However, this early start in Hollywood was not without its challenges. As per CBR, Larson expressed how years of playing various characters had its toll on her:
“My identity was tangled up in the parts that I had played since I was a child. Brie looking older, Brie looking ’60s, Brie looking ’40s, Brie looking younger in the future. I realized that if you’ve been acting since you were seven, there are a lot of stories inside you that are not actually yours. It’s a blessing to play all these different characters, but it’s also confusing. And overwhelming.”
Despite her recognition as Captain Marvel, Larson admitted to being ‘scared’ of taking on the superhero mantle, as it was a role that was different from her previous work.
Larson’s Tenure as Captain Marvel
Larson’s preparation for ‘Captain Marvel’ was intense. She underwent nine months of training in judo, boxing, and wrestling and interacted with military personnel to deepen her understanding of the character. In the end, her portrayal was well-received, with critics praising her ability to convey the character’s quest for independence.
Released in 2019, ‘Captain Marvel’ was a commercial triumph, grossing over $1.13 billion worldwide and marking a milestone as Marvel Studios’ first female-led film to achieve this feat. However, following the release, Larson faced a barrage of toxic and sexist comments online. This led to a period of disillusionment for her.
Despite these, Larson’s commitment to the role remained. She reprised her character in ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,’ and the Disney+ series ‘Ms. Marvel.’ However, her latest MCU film, ‘The Marvels,’ struggled at the box office.
Looking ahead, Larson is poised to continue her portrayal of Captain Marvel in future MCU projects. She is currently involved in two upcoming projects, ‘Lady Business‘ and an untitled CIA TV series.
