'The Marvels' Director "Deeply Immersed in Korean Culture, Likes Park Seo-joon and Yoo Jae-suk" (Comprehensive)

'Captain Marvel' Sequel 'The Marvels' Opens on 8th

Director Nia DaCosta Joins MCU
Cast Park Seo-joon After Watching 'Itaewon Class'
"Prince Yan Plays Key Role... Cool and Stylish"

'The Marvels,' the second story of MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) superhero Captain Marvel (2019), will be released on the 8th. Director Nia DaCosta held an online press conference with domestic reporters on the morning of the 7th and said, "I couldn't believe it when I was first offered to direct a Marvel movie," adding, "I was excited to work joyfully in the beloved universe."

Director Nia DaCosta
[Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea]

'The Marvels' tells the story of Captain Marvel Carol Danvers (played by Brie Larson), a hero who protects the universe, who faces a crisis where her location switches with Monica Rambeau (played by Teyonah Parris) and Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan (played by Iman Vellani) every time she uses her powers, leading them to an unexpected new team play. Dar-Ben (played by Zawe Ashton), the leader of the Kree and a powerful force, appears as the new villain aiming to destroy the universe, including Carol Danvers' home planet.

Director Nia DaCosta introduced the film by saying, "It depicts the journey of Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau, these three characters joining forces and moving forward together." She explained, "They combine their strengths to understand why things happened and how to stop them. In the process, they face a cosmic catastrophe."

The three heroes lead 'The Marvels.' The director revealed that during the directing process, she focused on balancing and harmonizing these characters. "Although the movie is the second installment of 'Captain Marvel,' Monica Rambeau and Ms. Marvel characters are introduced for the first time. It was important to explore and follow Captain Marvel's journey while giving enough attention to the other characters and telling their stories."

She continued, "It was also important to weave each individual's story well into the common storyline to create harmony. The conflicts and resolutions that Monica Rambeau and Ms. Marvel experience as they enter Captain Marvel's world were key to balancing their individual journeys and the overall narrative. We made sure the three amazing characters shine."

'The Marvels' stills [Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea]

Director Nia DaCosta, who has enjoyed K-content regularly, confessed, "When I was 17 to 19 years old, I loved Korean dramas, movies, and K-pop. I was deeply immersed in Korean culture regardless of genre."

She added, "At that time, I enjoyed dramas and variety shows, and when asked who I liked the most, I answered Yoo Jae-suk. The dramas I enjoyed the most were 'My Name is Kim Sam-soon' (2005), 'On Air' (2008), 'Soulmate' (2006), and 'Coffee Prince' (2007). I was so impressed that I knew all the actors who appeared."

'The Marvels' is also actor Park Seo-joon's first Hollywood debut. He plays Prince Yan of the planet Alad in the film. Director Nia DaCosta said, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, a friend recommended the drama 'Itaewon Class' (2020), and I noticed Park Seo-joon. A few months later, I received the directing offer for 'The Marvels.' I thought Park Seo-joon was perfect for the role of Prince Yan. I contacted him directly, and the casting was finalized."

Director Nia, who worked with Park Seo-joon, described him as "a very fun person." She recalled, "Park Seo-joon was loved by many people while working on set. It was enjoyable."

'The Marvels' teaser screen
[Photo by World Disney Company Korea]

Before the release, there is growing interest in Park Seo-joon's screen time in the movie. Director Nia DaCosta said, "The movie goes back to Captain Marvel's past. It visits people and places he met in the past. One of them is Prince Yan (played by Park Seo-joon). Although his screen time is short, it is impactful and carries significant weight. He plays an important role."

She introduced, "As a prince, he plays the role of a monarch. He has a very deep history with Captain Marvel. He appears wearing very cool costumes and is a cool character." She added, "A commonality between Captain Marvel and Yan is their affection for the people they want to protect. This is the connection between the two." She refrained from revealing more details, saying, "Please check the movie for the details for fun."

In the trailer for 'The Marvels,' Park Seo-joon leads an army wearing blue-tinged armor. He also attracts attention by dancing among the crowd. Director Nia said, "Since I am a big fan of musicals, I incorporated some musical elements," adding, "It was fun to work on."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.