The choice to cast Ben Mendelsohn as the antagonist in Captain Marvel might not have earned Marvel Studios any points for originality, but going by his comments to THR, the actor seems to regard this upcoming MCU project as so much more than just another addition to his villain-heavy résumé.
According to the star of the new Robin Hood movie, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s upcoming release is working from a pretty terrific script.
“I think we have something really special here, and that all comes from a finely crafted script, it’s absolutely beautiful.”
Mendelsohn also reflected on the important moment that Captain Marvel will mark in terms of gender representation for the franchise. As the first female solo superhero film in the MCU, as well as the first to be co-directed by a woman, the actor seems optimistic that this project could inspire further progress in Hollywood.
“Obviously this is a big moment for Marvel, and hopefully a sweeping change for inclusion and diversity in the industry.”
Boden and Fleck previously directed Mendelsohn in the acclaimed 2015 drama Mississippi Grind. With that in mind, the actor has said that he’s happy to work with the pair once more, and also glad to have met the rest of the team.
“The thing I like most about the film, other than reuniting with Anna and Ryan, is that I get to work with just about everyone. That’s the beauty of being the antagonist, minus the pig’s head.”
That “pig’s head” which Mendelsohn refers to hear is the uncomfortable Skrull mask he has to wear when he’s playing Talos, Carol Danvers’ first major adversary in the MCU. Fortunately for him, Mendelsohn has also spent parts of his screen time in the shape-shifter’s human form, posing as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who supervises a young Nick Fury.
Funnily enough, while Mendelsohn may have some complaints about his alien costume, he also said earlier this year that he found it more fun to play the Skrull version of his character than the human, claiming that “there’s a kind of take-no-prisoners vibe about it, which is more relaxed.” We’ll see how this villain holds up in his fight against Carol when Captain Marvel hits theaters on March 8th, 2019.