Brie Larson frontrunner for Captain Marvel - report

Brie Larson is reportedly in early talks to star as Captain Marvel in an upcoming superhero film.

The Oscar winner has emerged as the top choice to portray the character, who is one of Marvel's most popular female superheroes.

According to Variety, studio bosses are still in early negotiations with Larson, but she is leaning towards taking on the role, which be Marvel’s first female-led superhero film.

Emily Blunt and Olivia Wilde were previously linked to play the titular heroine.

While no director is currently attached to the project, Inside Out writers Meg LeFauve and Nicole Perlman are currently penning the script.

Captain Marvel is the superhero alter ego of air force pilot Carol Danvers, whose DNA is fused with an alien's during a freak accident.

The long-gestating project is currently slated for release in March, 2019.