Brie Larson being eyed to play Captain Marvel

The Oscar-winner is the studio's first choice to head up its female-led big screen outing

(Getty Images)

Considering a director isn't yet attached to the upcoming superhero film Captain Marvel, word on the studio's first wholly female-led feature has been quiet.

However, Marvel bosses have lined up the actor they want to take on the role and they've aimed high; Variety exclusively reports that the Oscar-winning Brie Larson is first in line.

The script - which is currently being written by Nicole Perlman and Inside/Out's Meg LeFauve - follows alias Carol Danvers, an air force pilot who has her DNA fused with an alien's supplying her with super strength and the ability to fly.

Larson is following up her Best Actress win for acclaimed drama Room with a selection of high-profile and independent projects, including fantasy prequel Kong: Skull Island, Ben Wheatley's Free Fire and book adaptation The Glass Castle for which she replaced another Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence.

Captain Marvel is due to be released in 2019. While she'll be the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first leading female superhero, the previous year will see Evangeline Lilly's Ant-Man character Hope van Dyne become co-lead for sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Marvel's small screen output gave Hayley Atwell's Captain America character Agent Carter a two-season run before network ABC announced its cancellation last month.