Posted in: Marvel Studios, Movies | Tagged: avengers endgame, captain marvel, film, marvel

Avengers: Endgame and Making Sure Captain Marvel isn't Overpowered

Published Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:15:06 -0600

Last updated Tue, 12 Feb 2019 20:47:03 -0600

When it comes to superheroes there is a very thin line a writer needs to walk. It's very easy for a character to get overpowered and the story can get boring. It's one of the most common complaints leveled against god-like characters like Superman; he's too powerful so the story is boring. When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there have been some seriously powerful characters. As far as characters we've met, Scarlet Witch and Thor are up pretty high on the list. Thor seems to be growing in his power with each movie. Wanda, on the other hand, doesn't have the same powers as her comic book counterpart but also appears to be getting stronger with each movie.

This March we're going to get introduced to the character that Kevin Feige has gone on the record saying is the most powerful character in the Marvel Universe; Captain Marvel. She is also set to join the rest of the remaining Avengers in Avengers: Endgame and now Anthony and Joe Russo have their own version of a Superman problem: how do they keep Captain Marvel from becoming overpowered? They spoke to Cinema Blend about making sure they walked that line and Joe Russo explained why it was so important to them.

It's always a concern of ours about overpowering characters, because the reason that people relate to these characters is their humanity, and that they're flawed. And the reason we love working so much with Captain America was that he was limited, and his heart was his superpower, you know? So we're all acutely aware of the dangers of having an overly powerful character. [But] we like sensitive storytelling, so… we found a thoughtful way through it.

With a bunch of superheroes fighting each other, including two of the most powerful Avengers with Carol and Thor, it would be easy to make a giant beat 'em up and go from there. However, there needs to be more there and Anthony Russo elaborated on how they plan on doing that.

That's what kind of fires us up, I think, on a storytelling level, to be honest with you. Because when you do have powerful characters, you have to work that much harder to find their vulnerabilities and complexities. And Joe was mentioning on a storytelling level… and keep the stakes high! Because that's where those characters are vulnerable. And actually, that makes for great drama, and you run in that direction. As storytellers, that's been one of the most fun things we've had working with these characters is figuring out ways into them where they are vulnerable and they aren't all powerful.

We'll get to see a bunch of Carol's powers next month when her solo movie drops. As for Avengers: Endgame? We'll have to see what kind of dynamic she brings to this team of broken heroes and how her power and strength complements theirs.

Summary: Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.

Captain Marvel, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, will also star Brie Larson, Jude Law, Gemma Chan, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Samuel L. Jackson. The film is set for release on March 8th, 2019.

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