10 female Marvel Studios superhero movie costumes on display...

With the announcement that the solo Black Widow movie will now debut in cinemas and on Disney+ (for a premium rental fee) on July 9, 2021, I thought it would be cool to showcase some of the female Marvel Studios character costumes that I've come across on my travels to theatres, museums and conventions in recent years.

Black Widow costume worn by Scarlett Johansson

in Avengers: Endgame

First up is Scarlett Johansson's 'Black Widow' costume from 2019's Avengers: Endgame when she journeys to the planet Vormir where she makes the ultimate sacrifice to retrieve the elusive Soul Infinity Stone.

Judianna Makovsky was Costume Designer on the Avengers epic and this costume was photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in May 2019.

Fans of the MCU super spy can also take a look at her other screen-worn Black Widow costumes from the Avengers movies.

Wanda Maximoff costume worn by Elizabeth Olsen

in Avengers: Infinity War

Fans of the recent WandaVision will know that 'Wanda Maximoff' officially adopted the 'Scarlet Witch' name and created a new costume with a tiara to herald her mastery of Chaos Magic.

Here's her former look introduced in 2016's Captain America: Civil War and worn through Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, designed by Alexandra Byrne and photographed on display at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California in August 2019.

Fans of Elizabeth Olsen's Marvel Comics character can also check out these other Scarlet Witch costumes since her costumed debut in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Valkyrie costume worn by Tessa Thompson

in Thor: Ragnarok

In 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, the God of Thunder found himself on a cosmic adventure where he met a fellow Asgardian, in the form of Tessa Thompson's hard-drinking, battle-weary 'Valkyrie'.

This Asgardian-armoured outfit was worn when she rode with her fellow Valkyries and was designed by Mayes C. Rubeo and photographed don display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in February 2018.

Make sure you also check out her other Valkyrie costume worn on the planet Sakaar in Thor: Ragnarok.

Lady Sif costume worn by Jaimie Alexander

in Thor: The Dark World

In 2013's Thor: The Dark World, Jaimie Alexander reprised her role as the Asgardian warrior 'Lady Sif'.

Wendy Partridge was Costume Designer on the Thor movie sequel and her screen-worn costume was photographed alongside Zachary Levi's 'Fandral' outfit at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema in November 2013.

I can't wait to see Lady Sif back in action with her sword and shield in the forthcoming Thor: Love and Thunder film, and hope she gets a proper storyline.

Shuri costume worn by Letitia Wright

in Black Panther

In 2018's solo Black Panther movie we got to explore the highly advanced African nation of Wakanda and its citizens, including another member of the royal family, 'T'Challa's' genius younger sister, 'Shuri', played by Letitia Wright.

Ruth E. Carter won an Oscar for her costume designs on the film and this look, complete with her panther-like Vibranium gauntlets, was photographed on display at Disney's D23 Fan Expo in Anaheim in July 2017.

If you like this look, make sure you also check out Shuri's ceremonial costume from Black Panther on display.

Okoye costume worn by Danai Gurira

in Black Panther

In the Marvel Studios movie we also met other strong black female characters including Danai Gurira's 'General Okoye', leader of Wakanda's all-female Dora Milaje, the secret service warriors who protect the royal family.

Gamora costume worn by Zoe Saldana

in Avengers: Infinity War

In 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy we were introduced to Zoe Saldana's green-skinned daughter of 'Thanos', the deadly 'Gamora'.

In Avengers: Infinity War we learn more about her history with the mad Titan and she sports this costume designed by Judianna Makovsky, which was photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in May 2018.

Fans of the galaxy's deadliest woman can also check out these other Gamora costumes from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

Ancient One costume worn by Tilda Swinton

in Doctor Strange

2016's Doctor Strange origin movie introduced us the mystical side of the MCU and we met the 'Ancient One', the mentor of 'Stephen Strange' after his surgeon's hands were injured in a devastating car crash.

In casting Tilda Swinton as Doctor Strange's long-lived magical tutor of Celtic descent, Marvel was criticised for whitewashing an Asian character, even though they also gender switched the role for more female representation.

Alexandra Byrne was Costume Designer on the magical movie and this garment was photographed on display at L.A.'s FIDM Museum in February 2017.

Wasp costume worn by Avengeline Lilly

in Ant-Man and the Wasp

Evangeline Lilly's 'Hope van Dyne' finally got her wings in 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp. She also wore this super-suit as the high-flying, size-changing heroine in Avengers: Endgame.

Louise Frogley was Costume Designer on the Ant-Man sequel and the Wasp's costume was photographed at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in June 2018.

Captain Marvel costume worn by Brie Larson

And finally for this collection of MCU costumes, here's Brie Larson's blue, red and gold 'Captain Marvel' uniform from her 2019 solo movie.

Sanja Milkovic Hays was responsible for translating 'Carol Danvers' comic book redesign by Jamie McKelvie for the big screen.

This costume was photographed alongside her Kree Starforce green, silver and grey Vers costume at the El Capitan Theatre along Hollywood Boulevard in March 2019.

Make sure you search this blog for more heroic MCU female costumes like 'Mantis', 'Nebula', 'Nakia' and 'Friga', plus enjoy exploring some of the Distinguished Competition's female character cinematic looks for the likes of 'Wonder Woman', 'Batgirl', 'Harley Quinn', 'Catwoman' and 'Huntress'.

Plus you can be your own hero and make sure you get vaccinated.

10 screen-worn masks from the movies and TV on display...

With lots of free time on my hands with no movies to watch at the cinema and not madly rushing around store to find Christmas presents this year, I've been scouring my photo archives to see what delights I could unearth from years gone by to entertain myself. With masks in the news so much in the last ten months of the pandemic, enjoy this collection of ten screen-worn masks from the big and small screen on display at cinemas, theme parks and museums in years past.

Minotaur mask from Immortals

First up is this amazing barbed wire bull mask mask from the 2011 fantasy film, Immortals, which saw Henry Cavill's mortal champion 'Thesesus' chosen by the Greek Gods to battle Mickey Rourke's 'King Hyperion' and his 'Minotaur' henchman (played by Robert Maillet).

Eiko Ishioka was Costume Designer on the Immortals and this fierce mask was photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in October 2017.

Lion mask from The Masked Singer

From bulls to lions, and this golden mask was worn by Rumer Willis in the first season of the U.S. version of The Masked Singer.

Marina Toybina was the Emmy-nominated Costume Designer on the costumed celebrity singing competition and this creation was photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in August 2019.

Blue Spirit mask from The Last Airbender

Back in 2010, M. Night Shyamalan tried to bring a live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender to the big screen. Noah Ringer was cast as the elemental master 'Aang' and Dev Patel played 'Prince Zuko' of the Fire Nation (and wore this 'Blue Spirit' mask) trying to enslave the Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom.

Judianna Makovsky was Costume Designer on this film adapted from the first season of Nickelodeon's animated series and this mask was captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood alongside other costumes and props from The Last Airbender in July 2010.

Erik Killmonger tribal mask from Black Panther

In 2018's cultural phenomenon, Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan's villainous 'Erik Killmonger' steals this African tribal mask during a heist on a London museum.

Ruth E. Carter was the Oscar-winning Costume Designer on the Marvel Studios superhero film shining a spotlight on Chadwick Boseman's king of Wakanda, and this outfit and more Black Panther movie costumes were photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in February 2018.

Dark Elf mask from Thor: The Dark World

Keeping to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this Dark Elf mask and dagger were featured in 2013's Thor: The Dark World, in which Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder faced off against Christopher Eccleston's Dark Elf, 'Malekith', ruler of Svartalfheim.

Wendy Partridge was Costume Designer on Thor's movie sequel in which the Dark Elves wore these sinister masks. This example was photographed on display at Marvel's Treasures of Asgard temporary exhibit at Disneyland in November 2013.

Catwoman mask from The Dark Knight Rises

It's no surprise that masks feature heavily in comic book adaptations and in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, Anne Hathaway sported this high-tech mask as the cat burglar, 'Catwoman'.

Lindy Hemming was Costume Designer on all three installments of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy and this mask and accompanying cat-suit was snapped exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood in July 2012.

Bane mask from Batman & Robin

Keeping to Batman foes, and 1997's Batman & Robin featured a very different 'Bane' to Tom Hardy's incarnation featured in The Dark Knight Rises.

Pro-wrestler Jeep Swenson played the henchman of Uma Thurman's 'Poison Ivy' in Joel Schumacher's movie sequel and wore this more comic book-inspired mask, which was on display at Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour Museum in July 2014.

Deadshot mask from Suicide Squad

A few years later and Will Smith's 'Deadshot' mask with monocle was on display at the same museum location from the 2016 movie, Suicide Squad.

Kate Hawley was Costume Designer on the DC Comics movie about a group of assassins, mercenaries and supervillains working for a shadowy government agency in exchange for a reduction in their prison sentences.

Enik the Altrusian mask from Land of the Lost

In 2009 Will Ferrell starred in a big screen remake of Sid and Marty Krofft's 1974 television series, Land of the Lost.

This prosthetic head from the movie was worn by John Boylan as 'Erik the Altrusian', leader of the 'Sleestak' lizard humanoids and photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in April 2011.

Venetian masquerade masks from Eyes Wide Shut

And finally for this assortment of screen-worn masks, this quintet of Venetian masquerade ball masks were featured in 1999's erotic psychological mystery drama from director Stanley Kubrik, Eyes Wide Shut.

Marit Allen was Costume Designer on this film starring Nicole Kidman (who wears the feathered mask) and Tom Cruise, and these masks were photographed at Stanley Kubrick's exhibit at L.A.'s County Museum of Art in January 2013.

I hope you've enjoyed these cinematic and TV treasures. Stay safe this festive season and make sure you wear an appropriate mask to protect yourself and others.

Thor: The Dark World Volstagg and Jane Foster movie costumes on display...

You don't often see Marvel Studios movie costumes on display, so this month I made it my mission to track down as many costumes and props from Thor: The Dark World whilst they were still available, including these 'Volstagg' and 'Dr. Jane Foster' Asgardian costumes at Hollywood's infamous El Capitan Theatre on November 20, 2013.

Original Thor: The Dark World movie costumes

Volstagg's Asgardian battle armour and Jane Foster's Asgardian attire were designed by Wendy Partridge and you can also check out more costumes from Thor: The Dark World here at Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props which I've been fortunate enough to see up close and in person, including Tom Hiddleston's Loki costume, original Fandral and Lady Sif film costumes, plus Odin and Frigga movie costumes on display.

Giant Thor: The Dark World movie billboard

Ray Stevenson played the largest and most jovial of 'The Warriors Three' in both Thor movies, 'Volstagg the Voluminous'. He's a family man, brave warrior and loyal friend to Thor.

Original costume worn by Ray Stevenson as Volstagg 

in Thor: The Dark World

Ray Stevenson is no stranger to wearing period costumes like this Viking inspired armour, as he starred as Roman soldier 'Titus Pullo' in the acclaimed series Rome, a historical drama set in the 1st century BC. He's also played Marvel Comics character 'Frank Castle' in 2008's Punisher: War Zone (but probably the less said about that the better).

Be sure to also check out Volstagg's axe and other Thor: The Dark World movie props on display at the Treasures of Asgard exhibit at Disneyland, California.

Original costume worn by Natalie Portman as Dr. Jane Foster 

in Thor: The Dark World

Also reprising her role from the first Thor movie in 2011 is Natalie Portman as the Thunder God's mortal love interest, Jane Foster, an astrophysicist (and not a nurse or doctor of medicine like her comic book counterpart).

She wears these ornate Asgardian robes when Thor brings her to Asgard after she has been infected by the 'Malekith's' Aether weapon. Interestingly in one scene with Thor she's not wearing the necklace and the next time she's seen, when Asgard is under attack by the Dark Elves, it's there when Frigga is defending her. I'm wondering if there's some deleted scene between Jane and Thor's mother that was cut from the movie, or maybe it's simply a wardrobe mistake.

Regardless I'm glad I managed to see these costumes on display before they were gone and hope that in the future I'll see many more Marvel Studios costumes and props on display. I'm certainly keeping my fingers crossed they exhibit some pieces from next year's Captain America: The Winter Solider.

Thor 2 costumes on display at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood

Fandral and Sif movie costumes from Thor: The Dark World on display...

Even though I loved Thor: The Dark World, the one thing that would have improved the Marvel sequel for me is more screen time for the Thunder God's Asgardian companions, 'The Warriors Three' and the 'Lady Sif'. Whether or not you agree, hopefully you'll love seeing these original 'Fandral' and 'Sif' costumes up close and on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema on November 15, 2013.

Original Fandral and Sif movie costumes 
from Thor: The Dark World

These amazing armoured Asgardian looks worn by Zachary Levi and Jaimie Alexander in the movie were designed by Wendy Partridge and were also on display beside Tom Hiddleston's Loki costume from Thor: The Dark World.

Thor: The Dark World movie poster

Plus if you want to see more fantastical Asgardian attire, be sure to check out these Frigga and Odin movie costumes from Thor 2 worn by Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins, as Thor and Loki's parents and the rulers of Asgard.

Ever the chivalrous gentlemen, it's only fair that Fandral allows Sif's costume to be showcased in more detail first.

Original battle armour costume worn by Jaimie Alexander as Sif 

in Thor: The Dark World

At the start of the movie Thor's loyal friends, Sif and The Warriors Three, are helping him restore order to the Nine Realms after the chaos caused by the destruction of the Bifröst Bridge in the first film.

In the Marvel comic books the Lady Sif is Thor's lover, but in the movie universe her love for the God of Thunder has so far been unrequited and she is the mortal 'Dr. Jane Foster's' rival for Thor's affection.

But like most Asgardian women she is a true and fierce warrior, and this is the sleek silver and red leather battle armour she sports in the movie.

If you're a fan of the actress, you may also want to take a look at these photos of Jaimie Alexander from a fan event for the first Thor movie at my local comic book store.

Original costume worn by Zachary Levi as Fandral 

in Thor: The Dark World

For this movie sequel, the role of Fandral was recast and is now played by Chuck's Zachary Levi (who also voiced 'Flynn Rider' in Disney's Tangled animated movie). The actor replaced Josh Dallas who plays 'Prince Charming' in TV's Once Upon a Time.

'Fandral the Dashing', as he's known in the comics (hence his fashionable attire and dashing cape), is one of the legendary Warriors Three, along with 'Hogun' and 'Volstagg'.

In addition to assisting the hero of this movie on the battlefield, Fandral and Sif also help Thor spring his scheming half-brother, Loki, from Asgard's dungeons when his help is needed to defeat 'Malekith' and his Dark Elves.

If you like these cool outfits (and I know you cosplayers appreciate all the seam and embroidery details), be sure to also check out Fandral and Sif's weapon props from Thor 2 currently on display at the Treasures of Asgard exhibit at Disneyland.

Thor: The Dark World movie poster