Olivia Wilde says she's keen to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Last week, Olivia Wilde playfully responded to a Twitter suggestion that she should play Captain Marvel, saying, “I'm starting my @Marvel diet immediately. Egg shells and jet fuel only, right? Who says indie kids can't go pro?” However, it seems like she’s had a think about it since, and is now actually quite keen on the idea.

“I’m a big fan of superhero films,” said Wilde to Cinema Blend, “and I have so much respect for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The thing with female superheroes is that, in order to be powerful, they are flawless. The idea of kick-ass power lacks a certain nuance, at times. There is something to be said for a female director working to create a female superhero that perhaps [has] a little more complexity.”

“Marvel has been so smart about casting unexpected people for these roles,” she continued. “Look at what Robert Downey brought to Iron Man. A real, dry sense of humour and a complexity to his hero balance. I think that the way these Marvel heroes are written, the female superheroes included, do have complexity and flaws. But I think when they are translated into film, the women can become these ultimate goddesses of perfection and I would love to create a female Marvel character who is just as unexpected and complex as some of the male characters as Iron Man. I think that would be really cool!”

Rebecca Ferguson and Emily Blunt have been among the names mentioned as potential candidates for the role, but after that pitch, Wilde’s name should surely be in the mix too. Captain Marvel will open in cinemas on March 8 2019.