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This week, Madame Tussauds Sydney has unveiled the brand new wax figure of one of the world’s most influential superheroes – Captain Marvel.

Depicting Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, the figure captures the character of Carol Danvers mid-flight as she prepares for battle between two alien civilisations. As part of an exciting new interactive in the Marvel zone, guests can immerse themselves in a multi-user AR experience that allows fans to take on a superhero role themselves using body-tracking sensors. Stepping in front of a giant screen, guests will see Captain Marvel’s insignia appear on their chest and a fiery glow appear around them as they harness her incredible binary powers!

To ensure that Captain Marvel receives a superhero welcome to Sydney, Madame Tussauds enlisted the support of legendary Australian female pilot, Deborah Lawrie, AM. Deborah was the first female to become a pilot with a major Australian airline and one who has subsequently made history by winning a landmark sex discrimination claim against Ansett Airline in the 1970’s after being told she could not become a pilot because she’s female.

Deborah is now one of the longest flying female airline pilots in the world and wants to encourage younger generations to follow their aviation dreams. Commenting on being compared with Captain Marvel and inspiring young men and women, Deborah says, “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that I am inspiring younger generations. I hope to reassure anyone that they can accomplish more than they realise with hard work and determination and it’s an absolute honour to be invited to launch the Captain Marvel figure at Madame Tussauds Sydney.

“Captain Marvel first appeared in 1977 which was about the same time I entered the public arena in a high profile battle to become an airline pilot. She represents empowerment and after winning my legal battle, women were empowered to enter jobs that were once considered exclusive male domains. Now women wear the uniforms and ‘steer the ship’. Since the transformation more and more women are taking lead roles so there are more and more ‘Captain Marvels’.

“Just like Captain Marvel, I can fly. I have often been described as resilient and having an independent spirit which I can relate with this iconic female superhero. Captain Marvel had to prove to her father that she was just as good as the boys and I had to prove not only to my father that I could fly solo but also to the Court, that I was just as good, if not better, than the boys. The Captain Marvel figure is absolutely amazing, can I admit that I am jealous of her uniform though?!”

Like the young Captain Marvel character, Deborah has faced adversity but says she’s excited by the way the entertainment industry has created its first female led superhero movie.

Captain Marvel, will be the first female wax figure to join Madame Tussauds Sydney’s Marvel Super Heroes area. She will join Wolverine, Spider-Man and Iron Man and will be in attraction from 14th December 2019. For more information and to secure tickets, visit: https://www.madametussauds.com.au/sydney/en/

Captain Marvel

The Carol Danvers character was originally created by Thomas and Gene Colan in 1968 as an officer in the US Air Force. Almost a decade later, she gained her powers through an accident and turned into Ms. Marvel as a nod to the iconic feminist magazine, Ms…while she was originally a minor character, she has evolved to become one of the central character in the Marvel Universe and a female icon that young men and women look up to.

In 2012 Kelly Sue Deconnick, the Captain Marvel comic book writer created something of a masterpiece when she instilled new life into Captain Marvel. Deconnick’s reboot left behind the thigh-high boots and swim suit for a far more practical jumpsuit and sensible footwear and the comic book narrative begins with a touching tribute to female pilots and justice.

Captain Deborah Lawrie AM

In 1979 Deborah was at the centre of the first contested equal opportunity anti-discrimination case in Australia. This was a lightning rod for the women’s movement at the time. The case was fought for more than a year and after winning the battle against Sir Reginal Ansett in the High Court, Deborah joined Ansett Airlines to become the first female airline pilot for a major airline in Australia.