The Marvels, released at the end of 2023 amid Hollywood strikes, faced challenges despite positive reviews and a 62% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Captain Marvel sequel earned only $206.1 million worldwide, marking it as one of Marvel Studios’ most significant box office disappointments, raising questions about its underperformance. Nia DaCosta, the Nia DaCosta Marvels Director, has since moved on to new projects, including helming the upcoming 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and promoting the Prime Video drama Hedda starring Tessa Thompson, who also appeared in The Marvels.
Challenges Faced by Nia DaCosta During The Marvels Production
In an interview with The Guardian, DaCosta alluded to difficulties she encountered while working on The Marvels, recalling the
shocking way people have talked to me in my position as a director
after her work on Candyman. She reportedly left The Marvels before post-production ended to begin work on Hedda, and after that, she received anonymous briefings that portrayed her negatively.
DaCosta emphasized the commitment she had to the film, stating
They knew the entire time that I had an obligation,
and added,
a greenlit movie with people who were waiting for me.
Ongoing Relationship with Marvel Studios Despite Difficulties
Despite these struggles, DaCosta appears to maintain positive connections within Marvel Studios. She shared,
There’s no ire in any of my energy. I was on the Avengers set a couple weeks ago because I still have relationships with these people.
When mentioning Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, she added,
He wrote me a letter for my UK visa.
Creative Differences and Production Issues on The Marvels
DaCosta has previously revealed that she realized The Marvels
[wasn’t] going to be the movie that I pitched or even the first version of the movie that I shot,
and she suggested that the production lacked a solid script. While Marvel Studios is known for reshoots that refine their films, this approach has not always yielded positive results recently, with examples such as Captain America: Brave New World. The Marvels reportedly caused Marvel Studios a loss of around $237 million.
Potential Reasons Behind DaCosta’s Presence on the Avengers Set
DaCosta’s recent visit to the Avengers: Doomsday set could have simply been a personal visit. However, it is possible she was there to observe the filming of the sequel to The Marvels’ post-credits scene and possibly provide input, similar to how directors Jake Schreier and Matt Shakman have assisted during stinger shoots for projects like Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Marvels’ journey highlights the complex nature of large-scale superhero productions, where creative vision, studio expectations, and logistical hurdles must align. As DaCosta continues her directing career with new work like The Bone Temple and Hedda, her experiences reflect ongoing challenges faced by filmmakers in the MCU and Hollywood overall.
