CAPTAIN MARVEL: How the New MCU Film Will Impact a Generation of Girls

Maisie Williams

Promotional Image of Brie Larson in MCU film Captain Marvel

In previous decades, iconic female heroines such as Princess Leia and Buffy the Vampire Slayer became much beloved characters (and still are!) within the supernatural and science-fiction genre. Recently however, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe grew into a highly-profitable avenue for Marvel Studios it became quickly apparent that central female characters were sorely missing from their roster. 

Whilst the MCU has brought some of the comics’ most notable women onto the big screen such as Natasha Romanoff, Pepper Potts and more recently Valkyrie, it is only this March with the hotly anticipated release of Captain Marvel that audiences will finally see their first female-led Marvel movie. So what impacts will this have on little girls who are fans of the superhero genre as they sit through the new Captain Marvel film?

Captain Marvel actress herself Brie Larson has been vocal in her interviews and on her social media platforms about recognizing the importance of visibility being given to these strong female characters and how there needs to be a wider range of characters represented on screen for all audience members to relate to.

It’s also encouraging to see women take a more active role within the telling of these stories. No longer constrained to mothering roles or love interests, Marvel has made noticeable attempts in recent movies to flesh out their female roles, whether that be the athleticism and strength of the Dora Milaje in last year’s Black Panther or more down-to-earth and creative young women like Zendaya’s Michelle.

Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL
Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson)

As the release of 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens brought a wave of little girls dressing up as Rey, Carol Danver’s Captain Marvel will also demonstrate an empowering and relatable heroine for young girls to aspire to. Whilst we cannot say that the days of hyper-sexualized and derogatory depictions of women in cinema are a thing of the past, we can at least celebrate these small victories when they arise. Attitudes towards female superheroes are changing and are finally no longer being seen by studio execs as financial risks, especially after the global success of 2017’s Wonder Woman, which grossed over $800m worldwide.

From the initial trailer alone, Captain Marvel has had a profound effect on women of all ages most notably a series of transitional shots of Carol at different ages standing back up after falling or being pushed down, determined and resilient. Representations of female strength being depicted in film are still sadly few and far between, but powerhouses like Marvel and DC have the power to turn the tide. A TIME magazine study shows that on average, between the ages of 8-14, a girl’s confidence and self-esteem plummets by 30%, so it is increasingly important that media plays its part in ensuring young girls that this statistic changes.

Many fans are also becoming aware of the positive impacts this film could have on a younger generation of girls and an Go Fund Me campaign promoted by Larson herself, along with other Marvel actors, to get young girls into theaters to see the movie itself has sprung up. The joint crowdfunded and Girls Inc. of Greater Los Angeles campaign aims to raise $10,000 to take as many girls as possible to a screening. You can learn more about the campaign here.

With all the positivity and support behind Captain Marvel, we can rest assured that this new feminist hero is certain to bring smiles to many young girls’ faces and make and impact in their lives. 

 

Captain Marvel will be released on International Women’s Day, March 8th

 

Maisie Williams
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