Marvel Studios has returned to the Chinese market with the release of "The Marvels," the 33rd superhero movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

An IMAX poster for "The Marvels." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

The film, directed by Nia DaCosta and starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, and Samuel L. Jackson, is the sequel to the 2019 box office hit "Captain Marvel." It introduced audiences worldwide to a new adventure featuring Larson as Carol Danvers, the MCU's first standalone female franchise title character. "The Marvels" now showcases the first all-female superhero team-up.

In "The Marvels," Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel, grapples with unintended consequences after reclaiming her identity and seeking revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. As she navigates a destabilized universe and faces off against Dar-Benn, the new leader of the Kree, her powers intertwine with those of Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) and her estranged niece, S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Their powers are linked through quantum entanglement, allowing them to switch places, adding a creative twist and an element of fun to the film. Together, this unlikely trio must unite and learn to collaborate effectively to save the universe as "The Marvels."

"Captain Marvel," released in 2019, was a significant addition to the MCU, achieving considerable success with a global gross of over $1.1 billion, including 1.03 billion yuan ($142 million) in China. It not only introduced the first female headlining hero in a box office triumph, expanding the cosmic scope of the universe, but also inspired Nick Fury to create the Avengers initiative. This initiative led him to seek out heroes like Carol Danvers to protect Earth, ultimately leading to the formation of the iconic Avengers.

Two new faces in the film might be fresh for many moviegoers but are already known to Marvel fans. Kamala Khan, played by Iman Vellani, first appeared in Marvel Studios' Disney+ series "Ms. Marvel." Meanwhile, Monica Rambeau, portrayed by Teyonah Parris, reappeared as an adult in "WandaVision," another acclaimed Marvel Studio series, having previously been introduced as a child in "Captain Marvel."

The director believes the trio together will be an exciting combination. "I couldn't turn down the opportunity to be a part of that. The most important thing for me, as I dug into the script and approached the characters, was really making sure that within all the exciting set pieces, chases, fights, and intergalactic intrigue, there's really at the core of this an emotional, character-driven story about these three women."

Constructing the film's tone for DaCosta involved creating something fun, given the dynamic nature of the storyline, with the three heroes constantly switching places. She explained, "It's going to be chaotic and messy, and I really wanted to reflect that through their individual characters as well."

She continued, "So the humor that you get from Captain Marvel is different from the humor you get from Ms. Marvel because one is a 63-year-old in a 30-year-old's body, and the other is a 16-year-old from Jersey City hanging out with her idol. I really wanted to make sure all that was there, and through that, getting the warmth of all the characters was really important to me, as well as the relationship between the three of them. My thing was that it needed to be fun and entertaining, but also feel good with these three heroes together, learning how to be a family."

Nia DaCosta, at 33, the youngest ever to helm an MCU film, also acknowledged a learning curve in handling a film of such scope and scale, emphasizing the support she received from department heads and other directors. "When you sign on for Marvel movies, the first thing they tell you is to talk to other directors. So, there's this beautiful network of people that you can communicate with and get advice from, so you always feel like you have someone there to guide you along the way."

"The Marvels" was released in Chinese theaters on Nov. 10, marking the first major Hollywood tentpole production to be imported into China since the release of Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" at the end of August. It has grossed 84.96 million yuan at the Chinese box office during its opening weekend.

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