Brie Larson to play Captain Marvel, first woman to headline Marvel superhero movie

Oscar-winner Brie Larson has been officially announced as the lead in "Captain Marvel," cementing her place as the first woman to lead a Marvel superhero movie.

The news was revealed on Saturday during the Marvel panel at San Diego Comic-Con, resulting in roaring applause from the crowd and excited tweets as the news hit social media.

Captain Marvel — real name Carol Danvers — is a "skilled pilot and hand to hand combatant," who first appeared in the comics in 1967, according to Marvel's website.

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Her powers include "flight, enhanced strength, durability and the ability to shoot concussive energy bursts from her hands."

Larson won the best actress Oscar earlier this year for her work in 2015's "Room."

'"Captain Marvel" is slated for theaters on March 8, 2019. It was penned by "Guardians of the Galaxy" writer Nicole Perlman, herself the first woman to write a Marvel movie, and "Inside Out" scribe Meg LeFauve. A director has not yet been announced.