Brie Larson is highly allergic to cats. This significant allergy has had a noticeable impact on her professional acting career, particularly in roles requiring interaction with felines.
Impact on Filming Marvel Cinematic Universe Films
Due to her severe cat allergy, special arrangements were necessary during the production of Marvel Cinematic Universe films such as Captain Marvel and The Marvels. These films feature the character Goose, a Flerken who often appears in the form of a ginger tabby cat.
- For all scenes requiring direct interaction between Captain Marvel, played by Larson, and Goose, a stunt double was employed. This ensured Brie Larson's safety and prevented her from experiencing an allergic reaction to the actual cats used on set.
- This practical solution allowed for the seamless portrayal of the character's bond with Goose while accommodating Larson's health needs.
Understanding Cat Allergies and Management
A cat allergy is an immune system reaction to allergens found in a cat's dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine. Symptoms can vary in severity but commonly include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes, and in more severe cases, asthma-like symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Managing cat allergies typically involves:
- Avoiding direct contact with cats.
- Utilizing air purifiers to reduce airborne allergens.
- Taking antihistamines or other allergy medications as prescribed.
For actors and others in professions where complete avoidance might not be possible, creative solutions like using stunt doubles, CGI, or animatronic stand-ins are often implemented to ensure their well-being without compromising the artistic vision of a project.
https://ew.com/movies/captain-marvel-goose-cat-allergy-brie-larson-filming/
