Brie Larson’s superhero journey involved brutal physical transformations, and not just donning a cape and costume. From grueling weightlifting to intense stunts, Larson shattered her limits to fully embody her characters. This dedication goes beyond Captain Marvel, showcasing her relentless work ethic and unwavering commitment to on-screen authenticity in films like Kong: Skull Island.
Soaring through space or battling earthly foes, Larson’s body-breaking workouts are a testament to her extraordinary dedication to the craft.
Forging Captain Marvel: Brie Larson’s Journey to Superhero Strength
Forget the Oscar statuette, Brie Larson got new hardware—muscles! The actress known for dramatic roles like Room traded in her emaciated frame for a superhero physique to take on Captain Marvel.
Gone were the days of fearing weights. Larson learned that building muscle was the key to a toned, not bulky, bod. Her trainers put her through the wringer, having her focused on the upper body—shoulders, arms, back—areas where women often lag. Pull-ups, anyone? Apparently, these weren’t even on Larson’s radar before (via Looper) as one of her coaches, Jason Walsh, said “weren’t necessarily even in her thought process.”
But it wasn’t just about aesthetics (though, have you seen her rock a strapless dress lately?). Building strength helped burn fat, giving Larson that powerful yet sexy look.
This superhero transformation wasn’t entirely new territory for Larson. Remember Free Fire? Her first “physical” role, as she called it. Apparently, the emotional turmoil of Room took more out of her than physical stunts. Per CBR, she discussed the distinction between the roles, and said,
The action element of what I’d done before was really mental and very emotional. This was the opposite.
The actress continued to challenge herself intensely and then came Kong: Skull Island. This action-adventure film features a crew that’s attacked by a humongous ape. The survivors unite and try to battle the mighty Kong. To keep up with demanding climbing and action sequences in the movie, Larson alluded,
I spent two months — just like two hours a day — tearing my body down every day, just to be able to physically get through a film like this, because you’re moving and climbing on so much stuff.
Captain Marvel is the culmination of all these experiences. Larson’s building Carol Danvers from the inside out, with the help of a team of specialists to handle the intense physical training. She may not be designing Carol’s emotional journey, but her dedication to getting ripped is sure to add a whole new layer of power to the character.
Brie Larson Stands By The Marvels Despite Box Office Bummer
Captain Marvel herself, Brie Larson, is beaming about her experience on The Marvels, even though the film underwhelmed critics and audiences. “Blissful” is how she describes filming with the cast, which included Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani. Larson feels a deep connection to Carol Danvers, “She changed me,” she says. While the future of Captain Marvel remains uncertain, Larson’s love for the character is clear. Talking to Radio Times, Larson expressed,
I had such an amazing time working with Nia [DaCosta] and Teyonah [Parris] and Iman [Vellani], and it was just a really blissed out time and I’m so happy with what we did.
The movie itself ties in with Ms. Marvel and even offers a glimpse of what’s to come for the MCU. The post-credits scene features a surprise cameo from none other than X-Men’s Beast, hinting at the mutants’ official entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Sadly, The Marvels‘ box office performance wasn’t as mighty as its characters. Opening low and failing to recoup its budget, the film marks the lowest-grossing MCU movie to date. But hey, at least Deadpool’s clawing his way into the universe next, with Wolverine in tow!
Watch Brie Larson’s Kong: Skull Island on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV!
