Article content continued

Brie told us about the trepidation that she had in taking on this role. Did you understand where she was at?

Well, it’s a different fan base. Things work differently in fantasy films … I mean, she’s great in Room. She’s great in Kong. She’s had her chance to do comedy in that Amy Schumer movie… and she’s a serious actress. When you come into this thing that is the Marvel Universe, where people hero worship, things do change, and there is a certain expectation I think that people have of actors that come into these movies because of what’s gone on before. She’s had a good opportunity to talk to at least one real female member of this thing — Scarlett (Johansson) — and (learn) how she’s handled it and how it’s worked for her. But she’s in charge of this movie herself. She is the “thing,” and it’s going to change her life dramatically in an interesting sort of way. You know, it’s like when I did Pulp Fiction… everybody found out who I was… But I was doing Die Hard (With a Vengeance) and Bruce (Willis) said, “This movie is going to change your life,” and that’s the movie that changed my life. (Laughs) She won’t be able to carry herself around the way she used to ever again after this.

The movie is set in the ‘90s. Musically, what comes to mind when you think back to that era?

I was in New York for a lot of that time, so it was a lot of hip hop for me. I guess, on the other side, you got Alanis Morissette and Green Day and Weezer. My daughter listened to that s—, so I had to listen to it.

You mentioned being signed for nine movies. Looking back, are you surprised at how successful the MCU has been?

Marvel figured out a way to make these movies that those other guys haven’t quite figured out. Like I said, the Marvel playbook works. It has the right amount of comedy. It has the right amount of adventure. It has the right amount of super qualities and the right amount of mystery for people to live in it and understand it and attach themselves to those characters in very real ways. There is something for almost everybody in the Marvel universe.

Do you have a favourite Marvel film?

Well, any of ‘em I’m in. But I loved (Captain America) The Winter Soldier.

Captain Marvel opens March 8.