It seems like we will finally get to say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has two sets of Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Watson as Marvel Studios has set its sights on Jude Law for a role in Captain Marvel!
Several outlets have confirmed that Law, who portrayed Dr. Watson alongside Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes has entered negotiations to star star opposite Brie Larson (Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel) in the MCU’s first female-centric superhero movie.
According to Variety, Law will play Doctor Walter Lawson, aka Mar-Vell. Created in the late 1960s by Stan Lee and Gene Colan, the character was introduced as a Kree alien sent to spy on Earth. In the end, he actually became a hero and the first Marvel Comics character to take up the mantle of Captain Marvel.
The Mar-Vell we’ll see in the Anna Boden/Ryan Fleck venture serves as “a mentor of sorts to Danvers as she tries to figure out her new powers”. Captain Marvel’s origin story has apparently been reinvented, so it remains to be seen how the movie deals with the Pink Kree.
Justin Kroll, who wrote the Variety piece, tweeted that Law wasn't the studio’s first choice for the role. The studio also approached Keanu Reeves, but the John Wick star decided to pass on the part:
Fun fact, another actor who also considered the role before passing…Keanu
"” Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) November 22, 2017
The Captain Marvel cast roster also includes Samuel L. Jackson as a de-aged Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the undisclosed big baddie. Production is expected to kick off early next year for the March 8, 2019 release.