Brie Larson previews Carol Danvers’ relationship with Maria Rambeau and talks about how the latter is very important to the narrative of Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios is gearing for the release of their first female-led superhero project directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, which will officially debut the critically-acclaimed actress as the titular character. Set to introduce MCU’s strongest hero, the film will be a different kind of introductory story from the franchise as teased by Kevin Feige. Official marketing for the movie is underway with the release of its second trailer providing new looks at the upcoming flick.

Maria’s character was originally tipped to play by DeWanda Wise, however, she eventually withdrew from Captain Marvel due to a scheduling conflict with her TV series, She’s Gotta Have It. Lashana Lynch soon entered negotiations and was cast for the role. A single mother and Air Force pilot, she is described as one of Carol’s oldest friends.

Screen Rant visited the set of Captain Marvel, where Larson talked about what fans can expect from the film including the friendship between Carol and Maria. Although she didn’t get into specifics, the actress said that the pair’s bond will be one of the most important ones in the film.

The Academy Award-winning star furthered by saying that Maria’s character is considered an equal of Carol as she’s an icon of female empowerment herself. Due to this, the pals often engage in friendly competitions but without losing any respect for one another.

I think the Maria dynamic is really important in this movie. She is the representation of love in this film. And it is something that I’m very proud of, that the love relationship, and it is a deep love relationship, is not by the same lustful definition that we usually attribute to movies of this size. That it’s more complex, and also I think more meaningful than most love relationships that I see in films like this.

Larson’s description of Carol and Maria’s relationship is mostly depicted with male characters in media, and seeing women have that bond different from the stereotypical representation of female friendship is something to look forward to in the film. Much as Carol being the face of female empowerment as the titular character of Captain Marvel, it’s great that the movie will also highlight the importance of the power of women supporting each other.

And Maria as a character is an incredible bad-ass in her own way. And they are equals, and I think seeing two women that have a playful competitiveness while also mutual respect and care, and have gone through so much together, there’s a lot of history, and are just best friends is something that I’m excited to see. Because uncomplicated sort of female friendships are sort of rare to see. I have a lot of them in my life, so to be able to bring that on screen with someone who’s just so crazy talented, and smart, and beautiful, and wonderful, and is doing her own part to make sure that there are revolutions in a movie that are her own, that she’s creating, is just awesome.

Aside from being Carol’s most trusted friend, Maria also means something more in the bigger MCU picture. Her introduction in Captain Marvel effectively sets up the stage for the eventual debut of Monica Rambeau who was the first female character to carry the mantle of “Captain Marvel” (although no narrative connection to Mar-Vell whatsoever). She’s adopted a few other personas over the years, the latest of which is Spectrum.

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