Huge Endgame Retcon Explains Why Captain Marvel Was Really Missing

Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Marvels.

The Marvels retcons the real reason why Captain Marvel was missing in Avengers: Endgame. After Marvel Studios pulled off the massive plot twist at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, Carol Danvers was painted as the hero who could save the universe from Thanos’ Decimation. By then Brie Larsons’ Marvel Cinematic Universe character hadn’t been properly introduced, but her ties to Nick Fury set her up to play a pivotal role in Avengers: Endgame. While she did have significant contributions to the film, which included saving Iron Man and Nebula from being stuck in space, she wasn’t exactly a consistent factor in the storyline, leaving many disappointed.

When Kevin Feige confirmed Captain Marvel’s introduction, he pointed out her uniqueness as being someone from Earth, but her adventures are primarily set in space. This has been mostly the case in her stint in the franchise thus far. Interestingly, it also allowed Marvel Studios an easy way to explain her absence during many of the universe’s biggest incidents since her debut in Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s Captain Marvel. That was exactly the reason why Avengers: Endgame was able to get away with not featuring her as prominently as possible.

The Marvels Reveals The Tragic Truth Of Captain Marvel Abandoning Earth

In The Marvels, Captain Marvel is pulled back to Earth for a new mission, but this time, she breaks new ground as she becomes a member of a team, joining Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan. Together, they had to battle Kree General Dar-Benn, who was intent on siphoning off resources from other planets and bringing them to Hala. Amid the fun banter and exciting set pieces, The Marvels‘ drops a big confession from Carol, admitting the real reason why she held off returning to Earth for as long as she could. Apparently, Captain Marvel didn’t want to come back as a failure.

How The Marvels Retcons Avengers: Endgame

Billed as one of the most powerful characters in the MCU, there was excitement for Captain Marvel’s arrival, especially from those who are aware of her adventures in the comics, as well as people looking forward to more female representation in the franchise. Storytelling-wise, however, limiting her presence in Avengers: Endgame made sense, considering that it was meant to be the original Avengers’ final outing. Marvel Studios found a way to explain her absence for the majority of the film, with Carol saying that she was busy helping other planets recover from Thanos’ snap.

The Marvels‘ revelation reframes Carol’s absence. Instead of being motivated by her sense of heroic duty, as she claimed in Avengers: Endgame, her admission reveals that there was a deeper, more selfish reason for it. Admittedly, it isn’t a good look on her, but the confession humanizes the character — something that the MCU has always been good at. In any case, it’s much better for the hero’s future to make this vulnerable admission. This way, there isn’t much burden on her to always save the day or be a deus ex-machina.