Carol Danvers will make her MCU debut in her 1990s-set solo movie next month, before being seen in Avengers: Endgame in late April. From there, she is expected to play a major part in Marvel storytelling going forward. But in a new interview, Larson has candidly explained why she almost turned the part down.
“It’s an odd one that I’ve had to come to terms with,” she told Marie Claire of her dilemma.
“There aren’t many jobs where, in order to gain success – and in my case, more freedom in my creativity – I have to give up something that’s equally important to me.
“I spend my time off with headphones on, walking around the city alone, so the idea that might become a different experience – where instead of being an observer, I’m the observed – feels terrifying.”
She added: “[People] think I’m different, that I don’t get up and have the same morning as they do or that I’m immune to flaws and don’t get acne.
“All of those things happen to me as well, it’s just harder for people to see when they’re looking at things from the perspective of a red carpet or a movie that’s been edited.”
What helped her make the decision to jump aboard the part was the character’s three-dimensional nature.
“I lucked out in that Captain Marvel is super-flawed; she makes mistakes and has a temper,” Larson explained.
“The fact that I’m not playing this idealised version of perfection makes me feel more comfortable about stepping into the role.”
Captain Marvel unites an impressive cast which, alongside Larson, also incorporates the likes of Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, Djimon Hounsou as Korath and Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser.
Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Annette Bening, Clark Gregg and Jude Law also star.
Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, it’s the first MCU film to be headlined by a female character.
Larson recently shared a pulse-racing scene from the blockbuster – which can be seen here.
Captain Marvel is out on March 8.