Brie Larson Talks About Starring In Marvel Studios’ First Female Superhero Film

In an interview with Collider, Brie Larson spoke about what it was like to play Captain Marvel and star in Marvel Studios’ first female-led superhero film. Here are highlights:

On Carol’s personality: “I mean, I think she has an ego, but in a healthy way. She doesn’t have an unrealistic expectation of herself. She just owns that she’s really good and really skilled, which feels good to play. She also has an incredible sense of humor and makes fun of herself, makes fun of other people, has no issue if someone makes fun of her. I will say that this character is probably the most dynamic character that I’ve ever played. There’s the most range – as of now; you’ll see what the movie is – but as of now it’s been the most range I’ve ever played a character. I’ve had to go through every emotion possible with her. And a lot of this movie, although it has great comedy in it, there’s also real depth to it and emotion. So I think that the film will have a lot, which for me it’s like, that’s what I want. I want to see complicated female characters. I want to see myself, which is not a simple person. I surprise myself constantly by what’s happening and what’s coming up, so hopefully that’s what comes out on screen.”

On how the film challenged her: “Well, the general answer is just getting through a movie like this is a real challenge of everything, of mind, body, and spirit, because it’s a long one, and because I added in the physical side to it. It’s like doing a triathlon or something. There are some days where I’m doing a fight sequence for three days and then at the end of the third day, after I’ve been punching and kicking, then it’s like, ‘Okay, now we’re gonna do this one piece where you’re crying and it’s emotional,’ and you’re like, ‘Whoa. This all feels crazy.’ And it moves so fast and there’s so much that at a certain point, you just sort of have to trust your instincts.”

On being in the first female-led Marvel movie: “I don’t know. I don’t know how it’s any different. To be honest, I don’t want it to feel different. Kind of over the first female blah, blah, blah. And like, ‘Wow, maybe women can actually do the same things that dudes can do. Like, what a crazy concept!’ You know what I mean? I feel like the more we talk about it, the more we perpetuate the myth that it’s an impossible task. It’s like, no. If it wasn’t like that before it’s because it was wrong. That was just wrong. Now we’re just doing what’s natural.”