Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Marvel Studios unites 3 heroes in 'The Marvels'
Director Nia DaCosta speaks during an online press conference for the upcoming movie, "The Marvels," Tuesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
By Lee Gyu-lee
Director DaCosta says latest film is sequel to multiple MCU works
Marvel Studios’ “The Marvels” weaves together narratives from multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) sagas, bringing together three dynamic female superheroes, the film’s director revealed.
“I didn't think of it as just a sequel to 'Captain Marvel.' I really thought of it as a sequel to ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘Ms. Marvel’ and ‘WandaVision’ and ‘Secret Invasion’ and ‘Endgame,’” director Nia DaCosta said during an online press conference for the upcoming movie held on Nov. 7, a day before its release.
“It was a very interesting challenge for not just me but for Marvel as well to make sure that all of these stories continued their journey well.”
The follow-up to the 2019 superhero flick “Captain Marvel” elevates the MCU's storytelling by focusing on the interwoven fates of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris).
The trio, through a twist of fate, find themselves switching places with each other whenever they use their superpowers. As they become intertwined more deeply, they forge a unique relationship and ultimately form a team to restore balance to the universe.
From left, Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) in a scene from the film "The Marvels" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
DaCosta, who marks her Marvel debut with this film, said the sequel will be distinct from other MCU works while remaining true to the essence of the MCU.
“One of the things that excited me so much was that when I came in to pitch the film, the movie that they wanted to make was already so different. For me, coming into it was really about applying my own vision, my own artistry to the story they wanted to tell that already felt so different,” she said, explaining how she tried to bring her color to the story.
Since the film stars three female superheroes, balancing the individual arcs of three lead characters, and ensuring each story received due attention without overshadowing the others, was the most difficult part for the director.
“Balance was really important because, yes, this is 'Captain Marvel 2'; it's a continuation of her story. But we also have two amazing characters who we haven't seen on the big screen yet, or at least for Monica, not as an adult. So I wanted to make sure that we further Captain Marvel’s story but that we also service the story of these other two really important dynamic women as well,” DaCosta said, adding that blending in Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau’s stories to the central plot was important.
“Basically, Kamala (Ms. Marvel) and Monica are thrust into Carol’s (Captain Marvel) world but they have really specific relationships with her and them resolving the tension of those relationships is central to the story.”
"The Marvels" will hit the local theaters on Nov. 8. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
The new sequel is anticipated especially by Korean Marvel fans, as it stars actor Park Seo-joon as Prince Yan, who is Captain Marvel’s husband and ally.
The director, who revealed she was a fan of Korean pop culture in her teens, said she came across Park after watching his 2020 series “Itaewon Class” and upon reading the character of Prince Yan, Park immediately came to her mind for the role.
“This movie I really wanted to make sure we explored Captain Marvel's past. So one of the things that we did was we kind of visited a lot of different places and we met a lot of different people from Carol's past. So Prince Yan is one of several characters that we meet,” she said.
Recalling what it was like to work with the Korean actor, the director said, “Park was great. He's such a great actor first of all, but also he's just great energy, he's really funny and everyone just fell in love with him on set.”