The Marvels director Nia DaCosta recent reflected on her experience with the much-anticipated sequel to Captain Marvel, drawing comparisons with her work on the upcoming 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. She indicated that having a “solid script” significantly enhanced her experience with the latter project.
DaCosta was involved in the early development of The Marvels and has previously shared her initial concepts for the film. Despite her contributions to the script, she has expressed that the writing quality adversely affected the overall production.
“Making the 28 Years Later sequel was one of the best filmmaking experiences I’ve had,” DaCosta stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “One of the issues I had with Candyman and Marvels was the lack of a really solid script, which is always gonna just wreak havoc on the whole process.”
Released to mixed reviews in November 2023, The Marvels stands out as the lowest-grossing film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with its box office totaling merely $206.1 million against a production budget of $374 million. This sequel to the successful 2019 film Captain Marvel accumulated significantly less than its predecessor, which earned $1.13 billion.
At a runtime of just 105 minutes, The Marvels is among the shortest films in the MCU. Fans have speculated that extensive last-minute story alterations led to the film’s brevity, with scenes being excised during post-production. Particularly notable is a segment featuring a planet where residents communicate through song, which was heavily condensed, allowing Captain Marvel only a fleeting presence there before advancing the narrative.
Initially, DaCosta envisioned a different direction for the film, including a time travel subplot and the introduction of the popular Marvel Comics character Adam Warlock. However, both ideas were ultimately discarded, with Marvel citing the existing time travel focus in the Disney+ series Loki and the planned introduction of Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
The final screenplay of The Marvels credits DaCosta as one of several writers, including Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik, both of whom previously contributed to the acclaimed series Wandavision and Loki, respectively. Additionally, Zeb Wells, known for his work on Robot Chicken and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, provided additional material.
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige recently addressed the studio’s ongoing practice of revising scripts during production, often referred to as “plus-ing.” This methodology is currently in effect as filming progresses on Avengers: Doomsday. “I’ve never been satisfied with a movie we’ve released,” Feige remarked in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“There’s plus-ing happening every day on the Avengers: Doomsday set right now,” Feige elaborated. “It is amazing to witness the input of filmmakers and actors—whether new to the characters or seasoned veterans—who are exceptionally skilled and intimately familiar with their roles. Their ideas warrant consideration, and it’s essential to adapt and enhance the material. I wouldn’t want to change that.”
This approach starkly contrasts with the current methodology of DCU director James Gunn, who emphasized that DCU films will commence production with a finalized script already established. DaCosta also drew comparisons with 28 Years Later director Alex Garland, who is known for delivering polished scripts.
“Alex Garland hands you a script, and you’re like, ‘This is amazing,'” DaCosta remarked, continuing her juxtaposition of past and forthcoming projects. “You don’t really have to change it, although I did request more infected elements in the narrative. [Laughs] That was, like, my big contribution.”
In light of The Marvels’ underperformance, fans are left with uncertainties about the future of Captain Marvel. While the character is expected to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel has yet to confirm the involvement of actress Brie Larson. Furthermore, there are reportedly no plans for a third Captain Marvel installment. In the meantime, DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is slated for release on January 16, 2026.
Based on reporting by Tom Phillips. Read the full story at https://www.ign.com/articles/the-marvels-lacked-really-solid-script-director-says-which-is-always-gonna-just-wreak-havoc-on-the-whole-process