Captain Marvel 2’s New Title Could Sideline Carol Danvers Too Much

Is turning Captain Marvel 2 into The Marvels a good idea, or does it mean a lesser role for Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers? Marvel comic fans were eagerly looking forward to the arrival of Carol Danvers in the MCU, and Brie Larson’s 2019 introduction certainly didn’t disappoint, scoring big at the box office and courting generally positive reactions from fans and critics. After her auspicious debut, Captain Marvel was absent for Avengers: Infinity War, before graciously making time to drop by for Avengers: Endgame. A second solo story for Danvers was first announced at 2019’s SDCC event, with Nia DaCosta later hired to direct, but a Marvel Studios sizzle reel has now unveiled the film’s official title: The Marvels.

The name references a group of characters who broadly fall under the “Captain Marvel” banner. Aside from Carol Danvers, there’s Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau, who made an intrigue-filled MCU debut in WandaVision. Danvers was an unofficial aunt to young Monica back in the 1990s, but there’s some as-yet-unexplained tension between them in the present. Monica recently received energy manipulation powers courtesy of Scarlet Witch, and although she’s better known as Spectrum, the Monica Rambeau of the comic books also holds the Captain Marvel title for a time. Rounding out The Marvels‘ titular Marvels is Ms. Marvel, otherwise known as Kamala Khan. Played by Iman Vellani, Khan will make her MCU bow in a Disney+ solo series, before joining her fellow Marvels on the big screen.

Without question, the combination Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan has the makings of a hugely exciting venture. As The Boys so cynically quipped, “everyone loves a team-up.” Elevating Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan to top billing also adds some much-needed diversity to the MCU’s roster of superheroes, while simultaneously affording a larger platform to female characters in a traditionally male-dominated franchise. With that said, it could be argued that Carol Danvers’ second solo movie should have kept the spotlight solely on Brie Larson, rather than splitting the headline slot with two other heroes.

Despite the presence of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, 2019’s Captain Marvel kept Carol Danvers at the heart of proceedings, following the pilot through a worthy superhero origin that straddled time and space to establish Captain Marvel as the strongest hero in the MCU (back then, at least). Carol’s overwhelming power meant she was frustratingly sidelined for most of Avengers: Endgame, leaving many fans disappointed that she didn’t play a larger role. Although the distinct lack of Captain Marvel in the second round against Thanos might’ve been necessary for the crossover format, her absence ensured fans were looking forward to Danvers getting more time to shine in Captain Marvel 2. The Marvels‘ new title, however, suggests that won’t necessarily be the case, as three main characters (alongside Zawe Ashton’s villain) must now compete for screen time.

In truth, the MCU still hasn’t showcased Carol Danvers in her full ass-kicking glory. Captain Marvel was an origin story, Avengers: Endgame was an ensemble, and Captain Marvel 2 should’ve been the moment Carol Danvers finally ran wild in her own corner of the MCU, liberated from other heroes and backstory exposition. For this reason, The Marvels perhaps would’ve made more sense as Captain Marvel 3 than a direct follow-up.

The Marvels now faces the unenviable challenge of balancing Carol, Monica and Kamala in a 2-hour blockbuster, while doing justice to all 3. And with a checkered history of female representation in the MCU’s rear mirror, there’s understandable concern that The Marvels will spread its titular trio too thin. But Marvel Studios also has far more hits than misses under its belt, and regardless of the possible pitfalls posed by the Captain Marvel triumvirate, Kevin Feige will be confident Nia DaCosta can pull off the feat – without relegating Brie Larson to a bit-part player in her own movie.