It's an especially exciting time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as there are only one more releases until Phase Three is completed with Avengers: Endgame. While all eyes are on how the surviving heroes will fight back against Thanos after his snap, first up is Carol Danvers' origin story in Captain Marvel. Brie Larson's signature Marvel character will finally arrive on the scene, in a 90's set blockbuster that will also expand a variety of favorite characters' backstories.
Brie Larson recently came under some fire for comments made during her press tour for Captain Marvel. The Oscar winning actress was encouraging more diversity in the press and among critics, although that resulted in some backlash that manifested on the movie's Rotten Tomatoes page. ReelBlend co-host and Fox 5 Entertainment Reporter Kevin McCarthy recently spoke with Larson about the ongoing situation, where she clarified her comments, saying:
What I’m looking for is to bring more seats up to the table. No one is getting their chair taken away. There’s not less seats at the table, there’s just more seats at the table.
Carol Danvers has spoken. After her comments about inclusion among film critics blew up into a viral story, Brie Larson took this time to expand her thoughts. While she'd like more people of color and women in the industry, she's not hoping this happens at the cost of other journalists.
Brie Larson's comments to Kevin McCarthy come after Captain Marvel's Rotten Tomatoes began suffering from some serious trolling. The comments section is full of angry references to her call for diversity, with white men claiming they don't need to see the upcoming Marvel blockbuster because it's "not for them". But Larson stands by her earlier statements, encouraging inclusion in all facets of the film industry, including the press.
The original statement itself came early in Brie Larson's press run leading up to the release of Captain Marvel. She was quoted about the lack of inclusion among film critics, and how that might negatively affect the reviews of films that feature more diverse protagonists. Larson had said:
[Audiences] are not allowed enough chances to read public discourse on these films by the people that the films were made for. I do not need a 40-year-old white dude to tell me what didn’t work for him about [A] Wrinkle in Time. It wasn’t made for him. I want to know what it meant to women of color, to biracial women, to teen women of color, to teens that are biracial.
Inclusion and representation in the film industry has been a major focus of conversation over the past few years, which is likely what helped prompt Brie Larson's comments. In addition to cast, crew, and directors, Larson is extending this call for diversity to film critics as well. And now she's had the chance to expand upon her thoughts, and hopefully appease the naysayers out there who took offense.
Captain Marvel will arrive in theaters on March 8th, with Brie Larson making her highly anticipated Marvel debut in the process. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
