While The Marvels was clearly not the box office success that Marvel Studios had been hoping for, never let it be said that Zawe Ashton did not prepare for her role in the film.
Ashton portrayed the film’s main antagonist Dar-Benn, introducing a character that most fans were woefully unfamiliar with.
Image: Marvel
For those who haven’t seen The Marvels, Dar-Benn is a revolutionary Kree warrior who assumes the role of Supremor. Initially a member of Starforce, the Kree leader blames Captain Marvel for destroying the Supreme Intelligence and causing civil war on Hala.
Ashton Read Dar-Benn’s Comic Appearances
In order to familiarize herself with the character she would be playing, Ashton went straight to the source material in Marvel’s comic books.
“It was really necessary to get a sense of it, if not only to get a real handle on just how beloved they are … I just sort of learned first and foremost to truly respect that source material and truly respect the fandom that is surrounding that source material. That was the first step,” she stated.
Photo: Marvel
After learning the source material and familiarizing herself with the Marvel comic book universe, Ashton set out to learn more about Dar-Benn. For those who don’t know, the character is male in the comics.
“And then I did have to familiarize myself with Dar-Benn just from the comics, because that’s the only place that that character appears. There’s no real-life reference for Dar-Benn at all outside of them. So I read those. I have, now, a really great Silver Surfer comic where Dar-Benn appears. I wouldn’t say I familiarize myself with everything — that wouldn’t be honest — but enough to just truly understand the landscape that I was in,” she recalled.
Photo: Marvel
“Of course, Captain Marvel is such a huge figure in that. More recently, Ms. Marvel. It was about getting a really great scope, but more than anything, just respecting them as source material was a beginning point for me, definitely.”
Will Ashton Return?
With Dar-Benn meeting her end at the conclusion of The Marvels, Ashton’s time in the MCU appears to be over.
Photo: Marvel
Still, it is great to hear that the actress dove into her character’s comic book origins. And she got a Silver Surfer issue out of the deal!
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