Another week, another Marvel-related tease. Just in case any of us were shifting our attention away from the superhero-centric Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: The Dark World star Natalie Portman recently dropped a hint to Sci-Fi Now that the studio is actively working towards a movie starring a female superhero.
Here’s what she said:
There are definitely many strong women [in the MCU], 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.
Not exactly a bombshell as far as Marvel news goes, I know, but it’s something nonetheless. The studio has shouldered a fair amount of criticism from fans in recent years that its Cinematic Universe lacks diversity, but recent rumblings around the internet have indicated that Marvel is indeed planning projects with both female and non-white leads.
For one, there’s yesterday’s news that Captain America: The First Avenger‘s Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) may be getting her own TV show. And for another, rumors have persisted (and been substantiated by Marvel linchpin Stan Lee) that Black Panther may headline a Phase Three or Four film. Marvel producer Louis D’Esposito also said earlier this month, regarding a female-led film, that:
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?
Though Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow will have a prominent role in next year’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, D’Esposito is totally on the money with his admission that the people are demanding a Marvel movie headlined by a female hero. And Miss Marvel/Captain Marvel (pictured above) seems as likely a choice as any with her long-storied history in the comics. Katee Sackhoff recently noted that Marvel had shown an interest in working with her – could Miss Marvel be closer than it seems?
Which female hero do you most want to get the Marvel treatment? And which characters, regardless of gender, deserve their own titles in the upcoming Phases Three and Four? Let us know in the comments section!
