The cast of Captain Marvel reveal the women who have inspired them the most

Not all heroes wear capes

(And yes, we know Captain Marvel doesn't wear a cape either). Captain Marvel is the first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to feature a female lead - and it has been a long time coming. Ahead of International Women's Day, we spoke to the cast - including Carol Danvers herself Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury) and Lashana Lynch (Carol's best friend, Maria Rambeau) - about the women who have inspired them the most in life. Samuel L Jackson spoke about his wife, LaTanya, who has stood by him through thick and thin. "She has become my sort of mentor, coach, critic, over the years, as I struggled to find my way in this business," said Jackson. "She survived me and my drug addiction - my crazed life. Even though, you know, friends and neighbours and everyone else said 'You need to leave that dude'." Lashana Lynch also talked about why female superheroes on the big screen are so vital. "The importance of Captain Marvel, in general, is everything is that it represents," she explained. "It's female empowerment. It's knowing your power from just being born a woman. Losing that and then having to go on a journey and finding that. It's female friendship. It's using your wits and your intelligence and seeing that as a superpower. "It's literally everything I wanted when I was a child, and I am so glad that the younger generation gets to be empowered by that now." Captain Marvel is in UK cinemas March 8th.