Nia DaCosta has spoken candidly about her experience directing The Marvels, a project that left her creativity boxed in by Marvel’s rigid system. At a recent Edinburgh Film Festival event, she shared how her new film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple offered her the one thing Marvel could not: freedom to shape a story. Her words shed light on how the studio system failed her, while also revealing why her next project could become a career-defining moment.

Marvel Made Her a Scapegoat

When The Marvels opened in 2023, it struggled at the box office and critics quickly turned their attention to DaCosta. Reports painted her as inexperienced and detached, yet her own account tells another story. She described working without a strong script and with layers of studio interference that left little room for a director’s voice.

“Making the 28 Years Later sequel was one of the best filmmaking experiences I’ve had,” DaCosta, director of The Marvels (2023) and Candyman (2021), said. “One of the issues I had with Candyman and Marvels was the lack of a really solid script, which is always gonna just wreak havoc on the whole process. But Alex Garland hands you a script, and you’re like, ‘This is amazing.’ You don’t really have to change it, although I did, I basically asked for more infected. [Laughs.] That was, like, my big contribution.” — Nia DaCosta, The Hollywood Reporter

Marvel’s creative model depends on connecting films into a larger franchise, but that control often strips directors of agency. DaCosta, the first Black woman to direct a Marvel film, faced harsher judgment than many of her peers. Her comments exposed how difficult it is for filmmakers to bring originality into a system designed to churn out uniform blockbusters.

How DEI Became a Weapon Against Her

DaCosta’s presence in the MCU was historic, but it also made her an easy target. Detractors leaned on the claim that Marvel’s focus on diversity had hurt the brand. They framed her as a “DEI hire” instead of acknowledging the studio’s creative stagnation.

Supporters, however, understood her point. She did not deflect responsibility, but revealed that directors in Marvel’s system have little control over the final product. Scheduling delays, weak marketing, and a lack of script foundation set her film up to fail long before its release. Her willingness to name those issues struck a chord with many who had seen Marvel’s storytelling falter since Endgame.

A Fresh Start With 28 Years Later

DaCosta’s new chapter with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reflects the freedom she long sought. She praised Alex Garland’s script as solid and complete, a foundation strong enough for her to shape into something uniquely her own. Her only amendment was simple yet effective: she asked for more infected, a choice that speaks to her vision for the franchise.

Unlike her Marvel project, DaCosta now has the room to lead with clarity. The Bone Temple is already generating excitement as the second film in a planned trilogy, and her role signals that studios beyond Marvel recognize her talent. With the right conditions, her work shows she can thrive.

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