No internet-breaking trailer, but we do have the first look at Brie Larson's 'Captain Marvel'

To date, there are 20 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and not a single one has been headlined by a solo female superhero. That’s all about to change next March, however, with the debut of Captain Marvel, the eagerly anticipated stand-alone saga starring Brie Larson as a human who comes to possess extraordinary, alien-infused powers. Like last year’s Black Panther, Captain Marvel should push the MCU into new, more diverse terrain. And after a long wait for the hero’s arrival (which was most recently teased at the end of April’s Avengers: Infinity War), we finally have our first official look at her in red-and-blue-costumed action, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.

While it hasn’t come close to breaking the Internet (as Larson herself promised yesterday on Twitter), EW’s latest cover story does show the character in her traditional red-and-blue outfit, as well as provide a host of new details about (and photos from) her upcoming adventure.

Oscar winner Larson will star as Carol Danvers, a U.S. Air Force pilot whose unexpected run-in with an alien causes her DNA to become fused with that of the extraterrestrial — an accident that leaves her with super strength and the power of flight, among other out-of-this-world abilities. Those quickly come in handy, given that, at the start of the film (directed by Mississippi Grind’s Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck), she has already signed up to be a member of the intergalactic Starforce (not to be confused with the Space Force) under the command of Jude Law’s Kree mysterious military commander on the planet of Hala. And shortly thereafter, she finds herself protecting earth from an invasion led by Ben Mendelsohn’s Kree baddie Talos, who upon arriving on our planet uses his shapeshifting ability to go undercover (in human form) as an employee of S.H.I.E.L.D.

“She can’t help but be herself,” Larson confesses to EW about Danvers/Captain Marvel. “She can be aggressive, and she can have a temper, and she can be a little invasive and in your face. She’s also quick to jump to things, which makes her amazing in battle because she’s the first one out there and doesn’t always wait for orders. But the [not] waiting for orders is, to some, a character flaw.” The actress’s excitement for the role is palpable, although as she admits, “I never saw myself doing something like this, mostly because I like being anonymous. I like disappearing into characters, and I always felt like if I was out into the public eye too much, it potentially limits you in the future.”

Co-director Boden, meanwhile, sheds some light on Danvers’s impulsive but altruistic personality, stating, “This is not a superhero who’s perfect or otherworldly or has some godlike connection. But what makes her special is just how human she is. She’s funny but doesn’t always tell good jokes. And she can be headstrong and reckless and doesn’t always make the perfect decisions for herself. But at her core, she has so much heart and so much humanity — and all of its messiness.”

The stand-alone Captain Marvel will be set in the ’90s, which means we should expect some choice period-piece jokes and fashions (as with her Nine Inch Nails t-shirt, seen below). Plus, it will undoubtedly deliver the CGI-enhanced action and humor that moviegoers have come to expect from Marvel — not to mention return appearances from familiar faces who, at this earlier point in MCU history, have yet to perish, including Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury (last seen dying in Avengers: Infinity War), Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser and Djimon Hounsou’s Korath (last seen dying in Guardians of the Galaxy), and Clark Gregg’s Agent Phil Coulson (last seen dying in Avengers).

Jackson in particular looks to benefit from this resurrection, given that his Fury (apparently a lowly S.H.I.E.L.D. desk jockey) not only looks far younger thanks to digital de-aging but also still boasts two eyes! EW‘s exclusive pics also include initial glimpses of Starforce sniper Minn-Erva (Crazy Rich Asians’ Gemma Chan) and single mother Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch), Carol’s close friend and fellow Air Force pilot.

So far, reaction to this sneak peek at Larson in MCU uniform has been enthusiastic, even if many fans are disappointed that no trailer accompanied the reveal:

Captain Marvel arrives in theaters on March 8, 2019.

Watch: Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige explains what’s in store for Captain Marvel:

Read more at Yahoo Entertainment:

• Secrets of the Snap: How the ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ effects team turned the MCU to dust

• ‘Captain Marvel’ will be bringing back some old Marvel Cinematic Universe favorites

• First ‘Captain Marvel’ concept art shows Brie Larson in her supersuit