As Marvel Studios projects on both the big and small screen are starting to become more interconnected than ever before, it's fair to say that at least some prior knowledge of certain earlier movies/shows is going to be required for something like The Marvels, which not only follows Captain Marvel, but also builds off the events of three Disney+ series: WandaVision, Ms. Marvel, and Secret Invasion.
This has led to the perception that more casual fans may feel like they need to do "homework" in preparation of their trip to the theater. It's a valid concern, and something director Nia DaCosta was all too aware of when she signed on to helm the MCU sequel. In fact, she leaned into it!
“I definitely wanted, because they’re so disoriented with the switching, for people to be inside of their experience,” DaCosta said during an interview with Total Film. “I wanted it to be very subjective; and each of them is doing very different things when the switching starts so, yeah, I wanted it to feel as jarring for the audience as it is for them.”
“We have Ms. Marvel, the TV show, Captain Marvel, WandaVision, and it was kind of a constant negotiation to figure out, ‘Okay, how much information do people need?’ It was a real trial and error,” she added. “We don’t want people to have to watch anything else but, of course, you also have to be honest and be like, ‘This is the [33rd] project in this universe. It’s sort of a sequel to five different things. So at a certain point, you have to just be like, ‘Okay, yeah, there are some things that we can’t get in here, but it’ll be fun.'”
We recently learned that Echo will be the first project under a new Spotlight banner for "more grounded, character-driven stories" that don't necessarily tie-in to the wider MCU.
The Marvels hits theaters on November 10th, with the review embargo lifting on the 8th. Some major spoilers have already begun to do the rounds online, so if you'd rather go in completely fresh, best be wary when navigating social media.
If you want a hint about what - or who - might be lined up for one of the movie's post-credits scenes, click here (don't worry, we don't reveal anything outright).
"In Marvel Studios’ The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as The Marvels.”
The film also stars Zawe Ashton and Park Seo-joon. Nia DaCosta directs, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Mary Livanos and Matthew Jenkins serve as executive producers. The screenplay is by Megan McDonnell, Nia DaCosta, Elissa Karasik and Zeb Wells.
The Marvels will begin its international rollout on November 8, and was recently granted a China release on November 10, day-and-date with North America.
Do you plan on seeing The Marvels in theaters opening weekend? Drop us a comment down below.