Nobody’s talking about one detail at the end of The Marvels, but I can’t wait to see what the MCU does with it. Despite its disappointing performance, Nia DaCosta’s Captain Marvel sequel introduced key elements of the overall Multiverse Saga narrative, most notably in the movie’s final moments. After Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau took down the villainous Dar-Benn, Monica became trapped in an alternate universe during The Marvels’ mid-credits scene, but in the excitement of the X-Men being teased, I missed one major detail.

I’ll say it: I enjoyed The Marvels. The introduction of the Quantum Bands, Monica Rambeau’s empowerment and multiversal journey, and the return of Kelsey Grammer’s Beast made me incredibly excited about the rest of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. However, it was the return of a very familiar MCU variant that seemed to pose the biggest mystery in The Marvels, as Captain Marvel star Lashana Lynch returned as yet another variant of Maria Rambeau – a variant with even more power than Captain Marvel herself.

Related

2 MCU Phase 5 Failures Are Majorly Improved In Marvel Timeline Theory

The MCU’s Phase 5 was originally planned to release in a different order, and this could have solved major problems with two disappointing additions.

Everyone Missed Maria Rambeau’s Binary Had The Quantum Bands In The Marvels

Lashana Lynch Returned As Binary In The Marvels

Binary with the X-Men doors in The Marvels

I loved seeing Lashana Lynch return in The Marvels, but I previously failed to notice that Maria Rambeau is actually the owner of her reality’s Quantum Bands. In The Marvels‘ post-credits scene, Monica Rambeau woke up in another universe to find Beast and a variant of her late mother, who is now the superhero Binary. Carol Danvers became Marvel Comics’ Binary while traveling with the X-Men, going some way to explain the X-Men references in The Marvels. While seeing Binary’s comic-accurate red-and-white costume was brilliant, the added touch of the Quantum Bands makes me even more excited.

First seen in 2022’s Ms. Marvel series, The Marvels revealed Kamala Khan’s mystical bangle to be one of two Quantum Bands in the MCU. These powerful cosmic artifacts were used by the ancient Kree to create the Universal Neural Teleportation Network, allowing for quick and easy travel between planetary systems. Of course, there are many more powers contained within the Quantum Bands that Marvel hasn’t even begun to explore, but Binary’s possession of the relics in The Marvels significantly alters the power-levels of the MCU.

Binary Using The Quantum Bands Makes Her Even More Powerful Than She Already Is

Binary Is Carol Danvers’ Strongest Persona In Marvel Comics

In Marvel Comics, Binary is perhaps Carol Danvers’ most formidable persona. Following experimentation by the alien Brood, Danvers was able to harness the power of a “white hole”, gifting her full control over cosmic energies, the electromagnetic spectrum, and even gravity. Although Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed Maria Rambeau’s power set as Binary, I presume she has many of the same gifts as her comic counterpart. This already makes her one of the most powerful presences in the MCU, and the Quantum Bands will only increase this.

As well as containing the power to create Jump Points, connecting two far-apart areas of the cosmos, the Quantum Bands have also displayed the ability to rip holes in the very fabric of reality in the MCU. If the Quantum Bands are anything like their comic counterparts, they will grant Binary the ability to manipulate limitless energy and generate hard-light constructs, similarly to Ms. Marvel. I’m excited to see what Marvel Studios does with Binary now that she’s been revealed to be the owner of her universe’s Quantum Bands.

Kamala Khan in The Marvels with Quasar in Marvel Comics

Related

1 Major MCU Hero’s Debut Got A Lot More Likely In 2023

The introduction of powerful new pieces of technology in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga makes one exciting Marvel Comics hero’s debut even more likely.

Binary Needs To Return To The MCU Before The End Of The Multiverse Saga

Monica Rambeau powered up as Photon in The Marvels

The poor performance of The Marvels has made me doubtful that a sequel will be developed, even though I thought that The Marvels was much stronger than many gave it credit for. With the prospect of a sequel in jeopardy, it’s unclear when Binary and Monica Rambeau might return, but we need to see them come back before the Multiverse Saga’s conclusion. Monica residing in another reality will surely cause an incursion event, which could be crucial to Phase 6’s Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars, creating the perfect opportunity for them to return.

I’d love to see Maria Rambeau’s Binary return to showcase the full power level of the Quantum Bands, especially since this could answer some major questions about the Bands’ origin and true nature. Some popular theories suggest The Marvels may have teased a potential Avengers vs. X-Men adaptation, or could lead directly into Secret Wars’ expansive multiversal storyline. Whatever the case may be, I’m so curious to see Binary return to the MCU, or perhaps even see Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers become the hero through her mastery of the MCU’s own Quantum Bands.

The Marvels Movie Poster

The Marvels

PG-13
Adventure
Action
Superhero

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

The Marvels sees the long-awaited team-up of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) as the trio work together to find out how their powers have become inextricably linked. Acting as a sequel to both Captain Marvel (2019) and the Ms. Marvel television show, The Marvels is the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Director

Nia DaCosta

Release Date

November 10, 2023

Runtime

105 Minutes

prequel(s)

Captain Marvel

Upcoming MCU Movies

Release Date

Deadpool & Wolverine

July 26, 2024

Captain America: Brave New World

February 14, 2025

Thunderbolts*

May 5, 2025

The Fantastic Four

July 25, 2025

Blade

November 7, 2025

Avengers 5

May 1, 2026

Avengers: Secret Wars

May 7, 2027