Brie Larson Reprises Role as Captain Marvel in Stark Flight Lab Attraction

Avengers Campus has firmly established itself as one of the most popular areas at Disney California Adventure over the past five years. Attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure have drawn large crowds. Initially announced at D23 2022, the expansion of the land has been gradually revealed, with details emerging at each subsequent D23 event, but without a clear timeline.

This weekend, however, Disney took a significant step forward at its Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase during D23, confirming both the opening date and the complete cast lineup for the campus’s two new attractions. Imagineer Brent Strong and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige joined Disney fan John Stamos on stage to announce that both rides, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, are set to open in 2028.

Stark Flight Lab will see Brie Larson returning as Captain Marvel, alongside Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Anthony Mackie as Captain America, who will serve as flight instructors for guests. According to a report from Marvel.com, Strong shared with the audience that these characters will guide visitors through a unique training experience, allowing them to feel what it’s like to train as an Avenger.

The ride will feature two-person “gyro-kinetic pods” that navigate along a track, stopping in front of a giant robot arm that simulates high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man’s flight sequences. Afterward, guests will participate in a test station for a simulated flight experience, enhancing the ride’s training theme.

In addition to Stark Flight Lab, Disney also announced that Avengers Infinity Defense will debut in the same year. This ride serves as a long-awaited continuation of the King Thanos storyline that was first hinted at when the expansion was announced. Guests will be welcomed as new recruits under the guidance of Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, embarking on a mission alongside Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye, Mackie’s Captain America, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, and Downey’s Iron Man.

These two new attractions will significantly expand the size of Avengers Campus, with Disney confirming that the new area will eventually connect with the adjacent Cars Land. Both rides have reportedly been under construction since 2025, but this weekend marked the first time Disney provided a specific opening year for either project.

Larson’s participation adds to a growing trend of MCU actors contributing their voices and likenesses to theme park experiences, allowing fans to engage with beloved characters in a new format. This approach has become increasingly prevalent across Disney’s parks, enhancing the connection between the studio’s cinematic offerings and its physical attractions.

With construction already in progress and a confirmed target year of 2028, the expansion of Avengers Campus is set to be one of the most significant additions to Disney California Adventure in recent years. With the flight-training concept of Stark Flight Lab and the multiverse-spanning adventure of Avengers Infinity Defense, Marvel fans have much to anticipate when both rides open alongside favorites like Guardians of the Galaxy and WEB SLINGERS.

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