5 Reasons Why Marvel Fans Don’t Like Brie Larson
- Brie Larson is a talented actress caught in a whirlwind of fan expectations.
- Her role as Captain Marvel has sparked both admiration and controversy.
- With more time and better stories, she might finally win over her critics.
Brie Larson has been at the center of a lot of fan debates since she became Captain Marvel. While she’s undeniably talented, her portrayal of Carol Danvers and her off-screen actions have fans totally split.
Some fans adore her for what she represents—a powerful, confident female superhero—but others criticize her attitude, comments, and the way her character fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
So, why is Larson such a polarizing figure? Let’s break it down and explore five key reasons why some Marvel fans have issues with the actress.
Brie Larson’s Character Development in Marvel is Literally Non-Existent
Let’s start with something everyone agrees on: Brie Larson is an incredible actress. If you’ve seen Room, you know she can rip your soul out with her raw emotion. If you’ve watched Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, you know she can sing, fight, and steal scenes. And in Free Fire, she’s straight-up hilarious.
However, Captain Marvel hasn’t been given the same depth and care as some other Marvel heroes. Iron Man got three movies (plus a zillion cameos). Captain America had a literal trilogy of character growth. The Guardians have a whole saga. Meanwhile, Carol Danvers got a solo flick and a few big moments in Avengers: Endgame, with zero backstory for fans to cling to.
That’s not her fault, though. If anything, she’s been carrying this role like a champ. Her snarky humor and great energy have given Captain Marvel layers that the script didn’t. Now that the original Avengers have mostly dipped, the MCU finally has a chance to build her up.
Brie Larson’s Attitude in Interviews
Brie Larson’s interviews have sparked a lot of criticism, especially when she’s alongside her Marvel co-stars. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Chris Hemsworth praised his stunt team, but the actress replied, “I did my own stunts because I thought everyone did.”
While she probably didn’t mean to sound arrogant, fans saw it as her trying to one-up him. Then there was the moment Hemsworth jokingly compared her to Tom Cruise, and she responded, “I’ll be the first me, not Tom Cruise.” Instead of taking it lightly or praising Cruise’s famous stunt work, Larson’s comment came off as defensive.
Fans also didn’t love her reaction to questions about her workout routine. When someone asked about her fitness, she snapped, “Is that a personal attack or something?” Many felt it was an overreaction to an innocent question.
These moments make Larson seem unapproachable or overly defensive, even though she’s done a lot of good off-screen, like supporting charities and being a role model for young girls. If she showed a softer, more relatable side in interviews, it could help change public perception.
Brie Larson’s Empowering Role of Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is Marvel’s first female-led superhero film, and with that comes a lot of expectations. Carol Danvers is a strong, confident character, but some fans found her “too cocky” or “too perfect.”
Historically, superhero culture has been dominated by men, and a strong female character can sometimes face unwarranted backlash. That’s another reason why fans hate Larson Larson for portraying such a character.
Interestingly, male heroes like Iron Man and Thor share similar traits, yet they are celebrated for them. So why is Carol Danvers criticized for the same behavior? That said, Captain Marvel remains an inspiring hero for many. She is powerful, determined, and refuses to give up—even when the odds are stacked against her.
Brie Larson’s Call for Diversity in Film Criticism
Brie Larson was initially celebrated when she joined the MCU. Fans were excited to see an Oscar-winning actress take on the role of Captain Marvel. But things took a turn in 2018 when Larson gave a speech at the Crystal + Lucy Awards about diversity in film criticism.
The 35-year-old pointed out that most movie critics are white men and said she wanted to hear more voices from women and people of color. Her comments came from a good place—she was advocating for inclusion—but some fans misinterpreted her words as an attack on men. Check out some fan reactions (via Variety):
I don’t need a 40-year-old white dude to tell me what didn’t work about A Wrinkle in Time. It wasn’t made for him! I want to know what it meant to women of color, biracial women, to teen women of color.
This misunderstanding led to a wave of backlash against her and Captain Marvel. Some fans even accused Disney of manipulating ticket sales to make the movie a box office success.
The truth is, Larson’s speech was about lifting others up, not tearing anyone down. Unfortunately, her message got lost in the noise, and it fueled a hate campaign that still lingers today.
High Expectations for The Marvels Fueled Brie Larson Hate
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is going through a rough patch. With recent movies like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania underperforming, fans are starting to talk about “Marvel fatigue.” This put a lot of pressure on The Marvels, which is not just a sequel to Captain Marvel but also a follow-up to several Disney+ shows.
In The Marvels, Larson’s Captain Marvel will team up with Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel and Teyonah Parris’s Monica Rambeau. Their dynamic looked promising, especially with their interconnected powers creating chaos and comedy.
But did the movie live up to its potential? No! The Marvels finished its run at the global box office with only $206.1 million (via Box Office Mojo), falling short of The Incredible Hulk’s $264.8 million (via Box Office Mojo). The film’s poor performance sparked even more criticism.