‘She does terrible things’: what can a Marvel director do with Ibsen’s ruthless heroine Hedda Gabler?

Marvel Director Nia DaCosta Takes on Ibsen's Ruthless Heroine Hedda Gabler with Tessa Thompson

Nia DaCosta and Tessa Thompson are a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, having collaborated on three films so far. Their latest project, a film adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's classic play Hedda Gabler, has sparked both excitement and eyebrows due to its unconventional choice. As they sit down for an interview, it becomes clear that their partnership is built on mutual respect, trust, and a healthy dose of banter.

DaCosta, who has become known for her dark and atmospheric filmmaking style, was drawn to Ibsen's play because of its complex and multifaceted female lead. "Hedda is a rare thing – a complicated, multi-faceted female lead in a classic drama," she explains. "It's a role that has tempted many, even if pulling it off is notoriously difficult." Thompson, who stars as the titular character, delved deep into theatre archives to study previous performances of Hedda, immersing herself in the play's Norwegian language and nuances.

Thompson's portrayal of Hedda is unapologetically complex, capturing the character's "sexiness, sultry, machiavellian, vulnerable mess" as she navigates a patriarchal world. DaCosta praises Thompson's performance, saying it's "extreme, unforgivable, and fantastic." The film also explores themes of identity, class, and the struggles faced by women in a society that often seeks to hem them in.

While the film itself is dark and brooding, with tempers flaring and relationships falling apart, DaCosta emphasizes that her aim was not to create a sense of unease but rather to capture the intensity and urgency of Hedda's world. The director has spoken out about the need for more diverse voices in Hollywood, citing her own experiences as a black woman navigating the industry.

Despite their differences in opinion on some matters, DaCosta and Thompson have developed a strong bond, with the former having created a portrait of Thompson from the film to give to her as a gift. However, it seems that Thompson is willing to negotiate for the portrait's release, suggesting that she may need to "move to London" to secure it.

In an industry where women are often relegated to supporting roles or typecast in stereotypical archetypes, DaCosta and Thompson's partnership serves as a beacon of hope. They are proving that even in the most unexpected places, complex female characters can thrive on screen. As they continue to push boundaries and challenge expectations, it will be fascinating to see what the future holds for this talented duo.

[image of a woman with a devilish grin, surrounded by broken glass]

Tessa Thompson is bringing Hedda Gabler to life and serving LOOKS

Nia DaCosta's direction is giving us ALL THE DARK AND ATTITUDE

Women in Hollywood, take note: we've got a new duo to look out for

Trying to get that portrait from Nia? Good luck with that, Tessa

They're doing a film adaptation of Hedda Gabler with Tessa Thompson , which is kinda interesting I guess . Nia DaCosta's all about bringing complex female leads to life in her films, so that's cool . I'm not really sure what to expect from this one yet . Does anyone else know much about the play it's based on?

I think Nia DaCosta making Hedda Gabler is gonna be SO intense Tessa Thompson is already a rockstar in my book for taking on such a complex role. As a female-led film with themes of identity and class, it's about time we saw more stories like this on the big screen I'm all about that representation life And can we talk about how cool it is to see a black woman behind the director's chair? She's breaking barriers and paving the way for others to do the same

I'm so down for another Tessa Thompson masterpiece she's like, totally bringing Hedda Gabler to life in a way that's gonna blow our minds. Nia DaCosta is on fire too, I mean who else can make a dark drama look like a work of art? the themes of identity and class are so relevant right now, it's crazy how Ibsen was writing this stuff back in the 1800s . Can't wait to see what they do next together

omg yaaas i'm so hyped about this new film adaptation of Hedda Gabler !! nia da costa is literally a genius with her dark & atmospheric filmmaking style and tessa thompson is just incredible as hedda gabler she's got that whole "sexiness, sultry, machiavellian, vulnerable mess" vibe down pat lol. i love how niya is all about breaking barriers in hollywood and giving a voice to underrepresented women it's like, finally someone's speaking out for us! personally, i'm a little nervous cuz hedda gabler sounds kinda intense but trust me when i say that da costa & thompson are gonna bring the heat

I love how Tessa Thompson is taking on such a bold role as Hedda Gabler She's always been an amazing actress, but this portrayal sounds like a game-changer. I'm so glad Nia DaCosta is pushing the boundaries of what we expect to see in Hollywood films. It's about time we saw more complex female characters on screen that aren't just one-dimensional or stereotypical

I also love how she's exploring themes of identity, class, and women's struggles in society - it's so relevant right now What I'm excited to see is whether this film will spark some real conversations about these issues. Has anyone else read the play or seen the original performances?

omg I'm literally so hyped for this new film adaptation of Hedda Gabler Tessa Thompson is going to nail that role as Hedda - she's already giving me major Streep vibes Nia DaCosta is proving herself to be a total boss in the directing game, and I love how she's not afraid to take risks with her storytelling. It's so refreshing to see women working together and pushing boundaries in Hollywood I'm also loving the fact that they're speaking out about the need for more diverse voices in the industry - it's time for change! Thompson's dedication to mastering the Norwegian language is seriously impressive, btw Can't wait to see this film come to life on the big screen!

omg i am SO hyped about nia dacosta's new film adaptation of hedda gabler!!! she's always been a genius with atmosphere and tension in her movies and i can already imagine tessa thompson bringing that intense, complex energy to the role of hedda i love how daCosta is using this platform to talk about representation and diversity in hollywood - it's so needed! let's get behind these women and support them every step of the way

I'm lowkey excited about this project... I mean, who wouldn't want to see Tessa Thompson bring Hedda Gabler's sass and complexity to life on screen? Nia DaCosta's direction is always a risk, but I trust her vision. The fact that she's pushing for more diverse voices in Hollywood is already a win in my book . Let's just hope they can make this adaptation feel more grounded and less like a bunch of dark vibes ...

Ibsen's Hedda Gabler with Tessa Thompson is like my aunt's gossip circle - dark, twisted, and full of complex relationships . Nia DaCosta is like the perfect wingwoman, bringing out Tessa's inner Hedda - it's a match made in heaven... or hell, depending on how you look at it . I love that they're pushing boundaries and challenging expectations, kinda like me trying to convince my friends to try ghost pepper wings . The film is going to be super intense, but if DaCosta and Thompson can pull it off, we might just get a masterpiece that's not afraid to get messy . One thing's for sure, I'm excited to see how they're gonna make us feel like we're trapped in Hedda's world - maybe with some popcorn and a glass of wine?

I'm literally hyped about Nia DaCosta's adaptation of Hedda Gabler starring Tessa Thompson! The way DaCosta is approaching this classic play with a modern twist while still respecting its originality is super refreshing to see. It's like, we've been waiting for someone to bring Hedda out of the shadows and show us her complexity in a more nuanced way.

I love how Tessa Thompson has taken on this role, bringing so much depth and emotion to it. The way she's immersing herself in the character and the language is just impressive And DaCosta's direction? She's got a great eye for capturing the intensity of Hedda's world without making it feel too dark or heavy.

What I'm really excited about is how this film can spark conversations about women's roles in society. I mean, we need more stories like this where complex female characters are at the forefront It's not just about bringing women into leading roles, but also about exploring their agency and struggles in a way that feels authentic.

It's also dope to see DaCosta speaking out about her experiences as a black woman in Hollywood. We need more voices like hers pushing for change and representation The fact that she and Thompson have developed this strong bond and creative partnership is just the icing on the cake Can't wait to see what they do next!

can you imagine having to play a role like hedda gabler? i mean, she's basically a toxic mess but at the same time, so fascinating. tessa thompson seems like an amazing actress who can bring out all the complexity in her characters. and nia daCosta is just genius with her dark and atmospheric filmmaking style... it's not surprising that they're getting so much attention for this project i'm really excited to see how their collaboration turns out - it's a great reminder that women are capable of creating complex, thought-provoking stories that challenge us.

I'm loving how Tessa Thompson is bringing Hedda Gabler to life ! I mean, she's literally playing a character who's all sass and complexity - sexiness, sultry, machiavellian, vulnerable mess all rolled into one . But seriously, Nia DaCosta's direction is giving me major vibes of her other dark & atmospheric films. She's doing an amazing job capturing the intensity and urgency of Hedda's world .

What I'm really excited about here is that Tessa Thompson is taking on a character who's often seen as one-dimensional in Hollywood - just another "strong female lead" cliche . But she's turning Hedda Gabler into something so much more than that - a fully fleshed-out, multi-faceted character with depth and nuance. I think this is huge for representation in film and TV .

I'm also loving the fact that DaCosta is speaking out about the need for more diverse voices in Hollywood . As someone who's passionate about verifying facts and holding people in power accountable, it's refreshing to see her using her platform to advocate for change . Fingers crossed this film does justice to Ibsen's classic play and leaves a lasting impact on the industry !

I'm so down for Tessa Thompson's take on Hedda Gabler! DaCosta is a genius for bringing this complex character to life. I love how they're shaking things up in Hollywood and pushing boundaries, it's about time we saw more of these kinds of roles on screen. And can we talk about the dynamic between DaCosta and Thompson? They just vibe so well together, like two peas in a pod . It's clear they have a deep respect for each other's craft, which is what makes their collaboration so compelling. Bring it on, I'm excited to see how this film turns out!

They're really bringing Hedda Gabler to life in a whole new way. Ibsen's play is so underrated in terms of its complexity and depth as a female character. Tessa Thompson's take on her is everything you'd want from an intense, dark drama

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on here. Nia DaCosta's new film adaptation of Hedda Gabler is just a smokescreen for her real agenda. Have you noticed how Tessa Thompson keeps referencing the film's Norwegian language? That's not just acting research, folks. She's trying to convey a message in code. And what about DaCosta's comments on women's roles in Hollywood? Sounds like she's trying to recruit new converts for some secret society. Don't be fooled, this is all part of a larger plan to control the narrative. Mark my words!

I mean, have you seen the last movie they did together? It was like, whoa, that girl Tessa Thompson is so underrated . And Nia DaCosta's direction is insane . But seriously, it's crazy to think about how Hedda Gabler can be both super dark and intense, but also kinda sexy and manipulative . I think what I love most about this movie is that it's not just some shallow female empowerment film, it's like, really nuanced and complex . And DaCosta's all about breaking down barriers in Hollywood, which is so important . I'm low-key excited to see what they do next... maybe a Marvel movie?

I think its awesome how DaCosta and Thompson are taking on a classic play like Hedda Gabler with a fresh perspective . Its not often you see women in lead roles, especially ones as complex as Hedda . I'm excited to see how they'll bring this character to life, especially since Tessa Thompson is known for her versatility as an actress . The fact that they're having fun and playful banter with each other is also super refreshing . It shows that even in Hollywood, women can work together and support each other's creativity without all the drama . I'm looking forward to seeing this film and hoping it gets the recognition it deserves .

I think its kinda wild how DaCosta & Thompson took on Hedda Gabler, I mean, Ibsen's play is already pretty messed up . But in a way, thats what makes it so interesting, right? The complexity of Hedda's character is like this superhuman force that you can't help but get drawn into . Its like DaCosta & Thompson are trying to tap into that same energy, create something that's raw and unapologetic .

I'm also thinking about how this film fits into the bigger picture of women in Hollywood right now . We're seeing more female-led projects popping up all the time, but its still a struggle for them to get the recognition they deserve . DaCosta & Thompson's partnership is like a breath of fresh air, proof that even with great power comes great responsibility .

And can we talk about Tessa Thompson's performance as Hedda? It's like she's not just playing a character, she's embodying this entire world and its complexities . I'm not surprised DaCosta is raving about it – its an extreme, unforgivable, and fantastic performance . What do you guys think?