DeWanda Wise is currently doing the rounds to promote Jurassic World Dominion, one of her biggest movie roles to date. However, her blockbuster debut could have come quite a bit sooner as the actor was originally cast as Maria Rambeau in 2019's Captain Marvel.
Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts forced her to pull out of the Marvel Studios movie due to commitments to Spike Lee's Netflix series She's Gotta Have It. We can't complain about Lashana Lynch joining the MCU in her place but, as you might expect, Wise was upset to be left with no other choice than to walk away from the project.
"I did not choose to leave. Like, I would never make that choice for myself, that sounds ridiculous," she tells io9. "You know, you sign a contract for a TV show and it’s in first position, and that’s just a responsible...you have audience members who are like ‘I would’ve taken a lawsuit.’ Good for you. I don’t wanna be sued! Not trying to be sued by Spike Lee and Netflix. So, you know, at the time it was very disappointing, and also difficult in that context, you know."
Wise would go on to say that not nabbing that lead role in Captain Marvel ultimately led her to Jurassic World Dominion, something that softens the blow of mission out on a Marvel Studios role.
"If I had played in Captain Marvel, if I’d already played a pilot, and then Colin called me for this and he’s like ‘Guess what? She’s a pilot,’ I would’ve been like ‘I’m so sorry, I don’t believe in capitalism. You’re gonna have to find someone else,'" the actor says. "You know? So, I just think everything happens in the timing that it’s meant to happen and I’m very thankful to be here now."
Hopefully, Wise gets the opportunity to play another comic book movie character down the line. We're sure Kevin Feige and company still have their eye on her, and it may now just be a case of waiting for the right role to come along after she missed out on playing Maria in Captain Marvel a few years back.
Jurassic World Dominion arrives in theaters on June 10.