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Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is famous for its complex plot and engrossing characters, there is also a remarkable untold story that takes place behind the scenes. It may seem arbitrary to choose the 1990s as the setting forCaptain Marvel,but the ground-breaking $236 million filmHidden Figureshad a big impact. Yes, the impact of the Octavia Spencer-starring film was instrumental in changing the Captain Marvel film’s original 1960s timeline.
The 2016 biographical drama film chronicled the remarkable tale of three accomplished African-American women who were essential to NASA’s space program during the 1960s. As Captain Marvel writer Nicole Perlman noted, they did not want to place Brie Larson’s 2019 film in the same historical timeframe asHidden Figures.
Also read:“Carol is Steve plus Tony”: Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel is Inspired From Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans’ MCU Heroes
HowHidden FiguresChanged the MCU Setting inCaptain Marvel?
Of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s films have previously played in the past:Captain America: The First Avengerwas set in the 1940s, and much ofCaptain America: Civil Warrevolved around a 1991 time frame.However, writer Nicole Perlman claimed inMCU: The Reign of Marvel Studiosthat the $236 million filmHidden Figuresand other factors changed the film’s original 1960s setting forBrie Larson‘sCaptain Marvel.
Captain Marvel’s original setting was the 1960s, which was considered the most problematic decade in American history due to revolutions in social norms such as clothing, music, drugs, dress, s*xuality, civil rights, and so on.Referred to as the“countercultural decade”in the United States and other Western nations, the 1960s ran from July 17, 2025, to July 12, 2025.
AsMCU: The Reign of Marvel Studiosexplained, Marvel therefore had to make the film a historical drama that takes place before the events ofIron Manto dodge concerns about Captain Marvel’s interactions with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the other Avengers. However, the MCU’s established continuity went far back in time. For example, how could Howard Stark have been unaware of Captain Marvel? If there has already been a superhero flying around, then why has Tony Stark’s confession that he is Iron Man shocked the entire world?
Thus, it was difficult for the writers to choose the idealCaptain Marvelera in light of those conversations. Perlman stated:
“We didn’t write a treatment or anything, but we discussed the idea of setting in the sixties. But then Hidden Figures was coming out and we didn;t want to set something in the same time period. We briefly talked about the eighties and then they were like, ‘No, let’s do it in the nineties.’”
Also read:Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel Salary: 5 Famous Actors Who Made Less Money Than Brie Larson for Their MCU Debut
Why WasCaptain MarvelSet in the 1990s?
Captain Marveltook inspiration from the decade’s classic action films, just asSpider-Man: HomecomingandCaptain America: The Winter Soldierdid, as executive producer Jonathan Schwartz informedEW:
“’90s action movie is not the worst reference in the world, especially when you start looking atRobocop, Total Recall,evenStarship Troopersa little bit.Terminator 2, Independence Day.There’s a high-concept action-movie feel there that ends up being very character-based but also super bada*s, which is kind of the bullseye we wanted to hit.”
Additionally, by basingCaptain Marvelin the 1990s, filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden were able to incorporate several references and even some needle drops that were appropriate for the time. Boden laughed and said (via EW):
“The ‘90s doesn’t feel that long ago to us because we’re really old. But doing this movie has really made us realize how out of date so much stuff from the ‘90s actually is, and we’ve been having a lot of fun with that.”
Captain Marvelbecame the first female-led superhero movie to break the $1 billion mark with a global box office haul of over $1.1 billion.During its theatrical run, it rose to become the fifth-highest-grossing movie of 2019.The Marvels, a follow-up, was just released today.
WhileThe Marvelshits theaters today,Captain Marvelis now available on Disney Plus.
Also read:“You are doing it wrong”: Brie Larson Made it Clear That She Would Have Walked Out of Captain Marvel Set Had MCU Made One Mistake With Her Character
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
