CAPTAIN MARVEL Movie Apart Of Marvel's Phase Four Plans?

We've been hearing a lot of Captain Marvel talk in the last couple of months, and her possible addition to the Marvel cinematic universe. Carol Danvers has the potential to be a leading super powered heroine, who doesn't have a villainous origin. Having a troubled past is something that Black Widow and Gamora both have in common. It would be nice to finally see a lead female character shake-off the love-interest cliche and given level footing with the rest of The Avengers. It's been rumored for over a year that Danvers would be joining the Avengers ranks for Age of Ultron. The size of the role (Carol Danvers/Warbird/Ms Marvel/Captain Marvel?) has never been explained or revealed.

I started taking the news seriously when TheDailyMail reported, that Ruth Wilson and Emily Blunt were candidates for the role, back in the fall of 2012. This was the same source that recently confirmed Paul Bettany would be playing Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron. I have solid reason to believe these two might actually be the ladies truly in the running for the role. I know this might disappoint all the folks who were fan-casting Yvonne Strahovski and Alice Eve.

Emily Blunt has a notorious history with Marvel, originally signing-on to play Black Widow (Johansson set to play Scarlet Witch) in Iron Man 2, only to have Fox call-up her contract for Gulliver's Travels. Scarlet Johansson would fill-in for Emily, and has been the female face of the Marvel films ever since. This wasn't the only role offered to Blunt, she turned down the part of Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger (which went to Ruth's co-star Hayley Atwell from the series The Prisoner) and possibly Gamora (rumored only) in Guardians. If I had to guess why, the roles weren't large enough for her commit that much time. The Marvel contracts are quite lengthly, usually anywhere from three to six films.

Emily has been kicking-ass in her recent films Looper and Edge of Tomorrow, the latter has her killing a bunch of aliens. She's proven the ability to play strong and complex characters, which means she could easily support a Marvel franchise on her own. Having a well-known actress in the role of Danvers, is sort of a must, as Marvel can't gamble with hiring talent on a project like this. It's go big or go home.

Ruth Wilson had recently taken two high-profile Disney roles in films Saving Mr. Banks and The Lone Ranger. Not to mention, previously co-starring with Marvel actors Idris Elba in the amazing series Luther, and with Tom Hiddleston in short-lived series Suburban Shootout. I love Ruth Wilson to-death, but I'd rather see her take a different role in the MCU. Considering her working relationship with two Thor actors, seeing her play Amora The Enchantress or Brunhilde The Valkyrie in Thor 3 would be sublime. That said, Blunt has a track record of turning down Marvel roles and it could be up for grabs, if Emily walks again.

Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, Riddick) teased that she might have been in the mix for the role, but it's possible her commitments to the horrible sounding ExpendaBelles might exclude her participation in the film. Let's not forget that Ruth and Emily, have been in the mix since 2012. It's quite possible Katee's "meeting" with Marvel was for something else entirely, non-Avengers related. I wouldn't rule out something like Inhumans, which is being compared to a mix of X-Men meets Game of Thrones. A property better suited for Sackhoff, as a team-based project is in her wheelhouse. Then again, I wouldn't be upset if she actually turns out to be in the running.

Joss Whedon would comment on using Ms Marvel, cutting down the character and teasing Tigra with a joke instead. Around the same time he was talking up the villainous twins Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, hard to allow fans time to support Scarlet, if he was talking up Danvers (possibly a character with a smaller part in the film) as well. Let's not forget, Fox was going to include the mutant siblings in X-Men Days of Future Past. Joss needed to establish the twins as major players in the film. He's also not going to give everything away in an interview, keeping important elements and characters of the sequel a surprise. Baron Wolfgang von Strucker and Vision were recently revealed, which we weren't expecting to be added to the cast.


Whedon is supposed to be a "champion" of leading female characters, however, we don't have a franchise led by one (team-ups don't count). This is on the heels of Ant-Man (Wasp's inclusion only rumor at this point) kicking-off Phase Three in 2015. Along with mostly male-dominated projects like Doctor Strange, Inhumans, Black Panther and new Hulk film waiting inline for their own release dates. Yes, we have Jessica Jones finally getting her due, but that's television darling. Marvel could very well edge-out Warner Bros. by releasing a Captain Marvel film, before the studio can get their shit together to release Justice League or a solo Wonder Woman film. But, adding Carol to Age of Ultron makes sense and given the problems Joss has with her, he has the ability to fix those issues and create the cinematic version of that character.

Going even further than just a cameo, a rumor started circling that Marvel was strongly considering a Ms Marvel/Captain Marvel movie. We would later hear from THR, that Marvel Studios was working on a Captain Marvel script with an unnamed writer. I would assume it was coming from Nicole Perlman (Black Widow, Guardians of The Galaxy), who is apart of the Marvel screenwriters program (THR refers to the program). Perlman has a tendency to write the studio's female focused scripts (usually under the radar) and she is likely the writer spearheading the Captain Marvel script for Marvel.

There are plenty of entry points for Carol to get her powers, Age of Ultron is one and the Guardians of The Galaxy (or the sequel) is another. Ronan The Accuser (played by Lee Pace), a high-level member of the Kree Empire and will be seen in Guardians of The Galaxy, in the service of Thanos. I don't doubt that by the end of Guardians or even in the second film (expected for Phase Three), they could interact with Earth and it might involve Danvers (comic cannon suggests she'll get her powers by involvement of The Kree). The Kree connection would make things very tempting, to have her gain her powers within that franchise. It wouldn't hurt having another female team member either, it would also be a way to bridge Guardians and Avengers worlds without the need of Tony Stark.

Phase Three is quickly filling up with Ant-Man, Captain America 3, Thor 3 and possibly Guardians of The Galaxy 2 taking up the spots. There is still the expectation Marvel "might" make room for Doctor Strange. This means that Captain Marvel won't be ready until Phase Four. The Phase One characters will have their trilogies wrapped-up at this point, giving the new wave of heroes a chance to finally get their solo flicks released.

RUMOR: Ms Marvel Next Addition To AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON?

We've been getting a bunch of new additions to the cast of Avengers: Age of Ultron, which include James Spader (Ultron), Aaron Johnson (Quicksilver), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Thomas Kretschmann (Baron Wolfgang von Strucker) and Paul Bettany (The Vision). LatinoReview says that there is one more character to be added to the movie, and it's one that's been long rumored for the sequel. Ms Marvel or whatever they end up calling her, is apparently the next character that will be cast in the film.

Finally, we could get a superpowered female character among the main cast, something lacking in the MCU. One of the trades reported a while back, that Marvel is developing a Ms Marvel script, which could mean they intend the character to have her own franchise in the future.

There have been a couple of actresses linked for the role over the last year or so, they include Emily Blunt (Looper, Edge of Tomorrow), Ruth Wilson (Saving Mr. Banks, Luther, Lone Ranger) and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, Riddick). Katee hinted to a meeting with Marvel a while back, which may or may not be for Age of Ultron. She went on to tell SchmoesKnow her thoughts on Marvel's female characters. I would like to think if Katee was offered Age of Ultron, she would take it over the horrible sounding ExpendaBelles. We've seen Katee's Riddick co-stars Vin Diesel and Dave Bautista land major roles in Guardians of The Galaxy, it's possible Marvel casting really digs the movie. 

“There’s obviously a drumbeat that is banging louder and louder that we want a female lead superhero,” he says. ”… [W]e have strong female characters in our films from Black Widow to Pepper Potts to Peggy Carter and you never know. Maybe there’s an offshoot film with one of them. Or Captain Marvel, you know?”

"It's hard," he says. "because we have a small group at Marvel. We do two films a year. To get those two films done and to do them right takes a lot of work and manpower. And female-power, obviously. To add a third film and to just put it in the slate right now is difficult. We have these next three, four, five films coming out and that's what we're really concentrating on."

SOURCE: LATINOREVIEW

Natalie Portman Hinting MS MARVEL And BLACK PANTHER Films Coming Soon?

During an interview with SciFiNow actress Natalie Portman hinted about future Marvel projects. She revealed the studio is working on female led film (Ms Marvel?) and one focusing on a non-white title character. There has been talk from numerous outlets and even Marvel about the developing of both Black Panther and Ms Marvel films over the last couple of years. According to outlets both projects currently have scripts written. Not to mention casting rumors linking Emily Blunt (Looper, Edge of Tomorrow, The Wolfman), Ruth Wilson (Saving Mr. Banks, Lone Ranger, Anna Karenina, Luther) and possibly Katee Sackhoff for Carol Danvers. Even more actors have been linked for T'Challa over the last two years. However, this is the first time that a Marvel cast member has revealed possible plans for unannounced films that weren't spin-offs of their own character (Black Widow/War Machine).

"There are definitely many strong women, but it will be exciting when there is a central female character which I think is coming – I have heard is coming – and, of course, also a central non-white character will also be exciting. Title characters."

Katee Sackhoff Downplays Marvel Talk But Would Love To Play Carol Danvers

CraveOnline was able to get clarification from actress Katee Sackhoff about her recent revelation that she was in early talks with Marvel for a project. She confirms her people have but hasn't had direct conversations with Marvel. Further mentioning that she wouldn't mind playing Carol Danvers if offered.

"I absolutely have not spoken to Marvel. It doesn’t mean that my team hasn’t spoken to Marvel. I personally have not spoken to Marvel and have no plans to do a movie in the immediate future, because number one I’m tied up with Somnia which is a fantastic place to be. It’s exactly where I wanted to be."

"Yeah, I’m sure if we dug deep enough there is a sect of fans that don’t want me for Ms. Marvel so let’s just leave it at they want me for Ms. Marvel and that’d be fantastic. I would love to do the role. Of course I would love to do the role. I think that it’s in my wheelhouse and I would enjoy it. I’d be stupid to turn down a Marvel movie but as far as I know, Ms. Marvel isn’t even in the next movie."

Carol Danvers Will Likely Be In AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON And How They Should Adapt Her For The MCU

Casting is currently underway for Avengers: Age of Ultron. We already know that new additions Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen?) and Quicksilver (Aaron Johnson?) will join Ultron (James Spader is confirmed) as the film's villains. Yet, we haven't really heard official news about new heroes joining the lineup. Ever since the release of The Avengers we keep hearing that Marvel is aiming to add a female hero to the lineup. Joss who is known for creating strong female characters such as the iconic Buffy seemed hopeful to EW the sequel would include another female member after the release of the first Avengers. Many outlets felt that Carol Danvers was the best candidate to join the team and eventually get her own film. At one point Wasp was going to be in Avengers which was confirmed recently by animatics that were leaked. She was excluded because Edgar Wright wants to introduce Janet in Ant-Man, which lead to Hank Pym also being axed from a reference in Thor.

"Studios will tell you: A woman cannot headline an action movie," said Whedon, who knows from experience; his widely distributed "Wonder Woman" screenplay was turned down by Warner Bros. some years ago. "After 'The Hunger Games' they might stop telling you that a little bit. Whatever you think of the movie, it’s done a great service. And after 'The Avengers,' I think it’s changing."

Whedon recently commented to DigitalSpy on using Carol Danvers and teased Tigra instead. This sounds like he wants the character to be reworked for the MCU and her powers to be a little less Superman-like. The thing of it is, with Carol's cosmic origins she'd make a great addition to the sprawling cosmic universe that Marvel is setting up with Guardians of The Galaxy. Since the Kree villain Ronan The Accuser (Lee Pace) will be in Guardians it's possible she could eventually interact with the aliens which causes her to gain her powers.

"You know, I do like a character whose powers are a bit more defined. Pietro and Wanda, I know what they're able to do. With her, we have set rules for the film. With somebody that's just awesome and flies around, and punches things...that actually makes our job harder! The easier life is for them, the harder it is for you." 

THR said Marvel is developing a Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel script and actresses are already linked for the role. Marvel producer Louis D'Esposito commented on the possibility of making a female led superhero film to ComingSoon. Which he hinted Ms. Marvel could be on the table in the future. There have been a few ladies linked for the role which include former Black Widow actress Emily Blunt (Looper) and Ruth Wilson (Luther) according to TheDailyMail. Along with possible candidate Katee Sackhoff (Riddick, Battlestar Galactica) who revealed a meeting with Marvel. The studio checking to see if she was available around the time Marvel is shooting AOU.

"There's obviously a drumbeat that is banging louder and louder that we want a female lead superhero. We have strong female characters in our films from Black Widow to Pepper Potts to Peggy Carter and you never know. Maybe there's an offshoot film with one of them. Or Captain Marvel, you know?" 

"It's hard because we have a small group at Marvel. We do two films a year. To get those two films done and to do them right takes a lot of work and manpower. And female-power, obviously. To add a third film and to just put it in the slate right now is difficult. We have these next three, four, five films coming out and that's what we're really concentrating on." 

I have a few ideas of how Carol Danvers should to be introduced into the MCU. First of all she needs to be apart of S.H.I.E.L.D. or their cosmic branch S.W.O.R.D. Since Carol has connections to NASA and Air Force it would make sense to see her in more of a space-based role. It's a way to link her to both Avengers and possibly Nova Corps./Guardians. The codename Ms. Marvel is terribly outdated and the mantle of Captain Marvel should start with Kree hero Mar-Vell. Carol has used the nickname Warbird before which seems like a great S.H.I.E.L.D. alias (Black Widow/Hawkeye). Another issue is her unrealistic skimpy costume that seems like something that could hold the character back from being taken seriously by both male and female audiences. Giving her a costume more tactical seems like the best way to go.

When it comes to powers they need to reel her back a bit. Taking away the power of flight and super strength could be a good way to ground her a little bit. Since Thor, Hulk and Iron Man already share most of those powers. Marvel should focus on the ones different from the current lineup. That being Carol's photonic blasts, seventh sense and energy absorption. Along with her human abilities such as being multilingual, an expert pilot and combatant. Her origin could be changed to either become an Inhuman (which could be how Marvel get's around the mutant rights issue for Scarlet and Quicksilver) or having connections to the Extremis technology from Iron Man 3.