Nov 14, 2026 8:00pm IST
Ariana DeBose on a Possible MCU Superhero Role After ‘Kraven the Hunter’: ‘You Never Say Never’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Ariana DeBose is not ruling out a future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Speaking to Variety India, the Oscar-winning actor, who was seen in “Kraven the Hunter,” shares that the idea of stepping into the world of superheroes has appealed to her, even if she has never considered herself an obsessive Marvel fan.
While she didn’t indicate that any MCU project was in the works, the actor left the door open to the possibility. “A long time ago, I would say it was. I don’t want to say that I’m like a super Marvel fan, because I think there are fans that really know every kernel of the world,” DeBose says. “But the idea of being a superhero, being someone with extra, extra skills, whether that be strength, or you can disappear in a flash or something like that, does sound fun.”
She adds that what appeals to her about superheroes is the freedom their powers offer, as well as the chance to put those abilities to good use. “I always felt like superheroes could do and be anything, and hopefully, they’re using their powers for good. It’s a nice notion. You never say never, put it that way,” she says.
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DeBose’s previous association with Marvel characters came through “Kraven the Hunter,” in which she played Calypso, the voodoo priestess and ally of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s titular Spider-Man adversary. The film belongs to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her latest genre outing, meanwhile, takes her into science fiction through “Exoplanet,” an Audible Original written by Benjamin Percy and executive produced by Andy Weir.
In the audio thriller, DeBose voices Becca Bang, the First Officer aboard the starship Wild Blue Yonder. When a quantum anomaly scatters the surviving crew across different eras on the same planet, Becca finds herself stranded in a hostile alien past. The cast also includes Anthony Mackie and John Leguizamo.
For DeBose, the project was an opportunity to move beyond familiar creative territory, particularly after the visibility that followed her Academy Award win for “West Side Story.” She shares, “I love that I don’t keep myself bound to a box. Creativity is creativity, and post winning an Oscar and having a shiny moment in the sun, I really try to expand my horizons. I don’t like to do the same thing twice.”
She adds, “Coming to an opportunity like ‘Exoplanet’, I was a little afraid of it because telling a story literally just with your voice is exceptionally challenging. So I knew I needed to do it. I’m a fan of Audible, so it felt like the right time to take on this challenge with a wonderful script.”
DeBose also points to the originality of Percy’s script as a reason she signed on. She says, “Benjamin Percy wrote something that is completely original. It’s not a prequel or a sequel, it’s a world that stands on its own in the sci-fi universe. And when they told me who else was involved - John Leguizamo and Anthony Mackie - it was a very easy yes.”
“Exoplanet” launched on Audiblebin India on November 5.
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