Captain Marvel actor Brie Larson’s advice to newcomer superhero actors reveals one particular problem that Marvel Studios apparently hasn’t fixed yet. Captain Marvel has had a short MCU journey since Brie Larson’s casting in 2018. Yet, Brie Larson has faced more backlash than any other Marvel actor since then. Larson’s unique experience in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has prepared her for the waves of disproportionate criticism that come with every appearance, making her the ideal mentor for any actor who joins a Marvel movie.

In May 2024, Brie Larson revealed in an episode of THR‘s Drama Actress Roundtable that she likes to reach out to new superhero actors as soon as they’re cast and mentor them through the process. According to Larson, she advises actors to stay in top shape, as the physical requirements of the genre only become more rigorous. Another piece of advice from Larson is especially surprising, as it refers to an issue that has been present since the days of Tim Burton’s Batman and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man.

Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel Suit Reveal Repeats The Secret Downside Of Superhero Costumes

Superhero Costumes Make Going To The Bathroom The Biggest Filming Challenge

Custom Image by Nicolas Ayala

In the same THR interview, Brie Larson reveals that she advises actors to prepare for bathroom struggles, telling them to “Train. Really understand how to be able to go to the bathroom in your suit. The first Captain Marvel, it was a 45-minute thing to get me in and out of that costume.” It’s surprising how superhero movie suits still limit actors from engaging in regular activities such as going to the bathroom, especially considering that costumes like Captain Marvel’s Kree uniform seem realistic enough to match the comfort and practicality of similar real-life outfits.

Marvel DC Studios CGI Superhero costumes

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Why Are So Many Marvel & DC Superhero Movie Costumes CGI?

It may be surprising how many Marvel and DC superhero suits are actually CGI, but there are plenty of reasons why studios opt for them.

Superhero movie costumes are usually designed to be as form-fitting as possible in order to emphasize the character’s physique. In turn, the costumes often sacrifice some qualities that would be non-negotiable in real life, like a full range of motion, proper ventilation, and the ability to go to the bathroom quickly and comfortably. The priority, of course, lies in making the suit look as good as possible on screen, even if that requires the actor to forgo certain privileges.

Why So Many Superhero Movie Suits Are Uncomfortable To Wear

Different Characters Require Different Costume And Makeup Designs

If superhero costumes were completely practical, they likely wouldn’t look as fantastical on screen. For instance, Spider-Man’s mask would always look asymmetrical due to the actor’s hair underneath, and the rest of his suit would have bulges all over his body, where his zippers, underwear, and phone would be. All three major live-action Spider-Man actors have needed to wear a helmet under their mask, and behind-the-scenes photos have shown them drinking through the helmet’s lenses with the help of a straw.

Comic accuracy also plays an important factor in superhero movie costume design. Real-life superhero masks would need to have much bigger lenses to provide the wearer with a full field of view, and most costumes would need to have more zippers, pockets, and padding, as well as better-placed seams and sometimes different materials in order to be comfortable enough for battle. But since what appears on camera is the priority, superhero movies will do whatever it takes to help those costumes look practical within the story, regardless of how practical they actually are.

Why Uncomfortable Superhero Suits Can Create Problems For Movies

Some Superhero Movie Costumes Can Limit The Actors’ Performances

Christian Bale's Batman Cowl next to Dave Bautista's Drax charging into battle in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

Custom Image by Nicolas Ayala

As Brie Larson’s comments suggest, superhero costumes tend to be more complex and uncomfortable during their first appearances, after which costume designers find ways to make them easier to craft and to wear. Captain Marvel’s uniform seems like an easy costume to improve, possibly with hidden zippers and lighter materials. However, other actors aren’t so lucky, as their characters have special costume and makeup requirements that are harder to optimize. For instance, Mystique, Drax, and Vision take several hours to come to life as multiple layers of makeup and prosthetics are applied to their respective actors every day of filming.

Heavy costumes can often restrict the actors’ performances, as they’re unable to move their bodies freely. For instance, Batman actors often struggle with the neck area of their cowl, which makes it difficult for them to turn their head. The original X-Men cast also struggled with their leather suits, as they couldn’t raise their arms or legs without ripping the suits. As Captain Marvel actor Brie Larson suggests, the most common superhero costume complaint from Marvel and DC actors is having to take off their entire costumes in order to go the bathroom, or not being able to go altogether.

Source: THR‘s Drama Actress Roundtable

Captain Marvel

Where to Watch

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Director

Ryan Fleck
, Anna Boden

Release Date

March 8, 2019

Cast

Lee Pace
, Brie Larson
, Rune Temte
, Clark Gregg
, Ben Mendelsohn
, Algenis Perez Soto
, Samuel L. Jackson
, Jude Law
, Djimon Hounsou
, Gemma Chan
, Lashana Lynch
, Mckenna Grace

Runtime

124 minutes

Budget

$152 million

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