‘Captain Marvel’ Movie Updates: Brie Larson Frontrunner for Coveted Superhero Role; Chris Evans Excited for Casting Choice

‘Captain Marvel’ may cast Brie Larson as the titular superheroine in one of Marvel’s most anticipated live-action standalone films. Chris Evans, who plays Captain America in the MCU, expressed his support for the casting choice.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Larson is reportedly in early negotiations to portray a live-action adaptation of one of Marvel’s most popular superheroines. The upcoming project is currently in pre-production, with Meg LeFauve and Nicole Perlman tagged to pen the script. This would be Marvel’s first standalone film to feature a female superhero.

Larson had minor appearances on films such as ’13 Going On 30’ and ‘Sleepover’. She also had supporting roles on ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ and ’21 Jump Street’. She eventually gained international fame for her work on the critically-acclaimed independent drama film ‘Room’ where she received several accolades including Best Actress Awards at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

No official announcement of Larson’s involvement has been made as of the moment. One source revealed that negotiations may be underway.

The 26-year old actress may play Carol Danvers, a U.S. Air Force pilot who becomes Ms. Marvel after an accident fused her human genes with alien Kree DNA. This enabled her to possess superhuman powers such as super speed, strength, and agility as well as the power of flight.

According to Moviepilot, Captain Marvel had several personifications in the original Marvel comic books but it was reported that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will be using the Carol Danvers version.

In the original comic books, Ms. Marvel was invited to join the Avengers after Scarlet Witch’s leave of absence. She quickly established herself as a valuable member of the superhero team.

Although the ‘Captain Marvel’ movie is yet to find a director, LeFauve of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ fame and Perlman of ‘Inside Out’ fame have already been preparing a screenplay. Marvel is reportedly keeping an eye out for female filmmakers who could possibly lead the project. Niki Caro of ‘Whalerider’ and Jennifer Kent of ‘The Babadook’ are both contenders for the director’s chair.

Meanwhile, Chris Evans expressed his support for Larson’s casting during the Wizard World panel in Philadelphia. According to Entertainment Weekly, he said, “I really hope that happens. I love Brie Larson. We did a movie together back in ‘09, we did Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I cannot say enough about Brie Larson. I think she is phenomenal, and I really hope that happens.”

Evans plays Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

‘Captain Marvel’ is an upcoming action-adventure and fantasy film scheduled to be released on March 8, 2019. It is produced by Kevin Feige for Marvel Studios. The film is intended as part of MCU’s line-up of future releases.

The MCU is a popular media franchise and shared fictional universe independently produced by Marvel Studios. Its blockbuster films took in a total gross of $3.99 billion in the domestic box office since the release of its first film ‘Iron Man’ in 2008.