The MCU Just Proved Captain Marvel Can Replace Iron Man

Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If…? episode 7.

While introducing Party Thor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel’s What If…? also subtly showed that Captain Marvel could successfully replace Iron Man. What If…? episode 7 erased the events of The Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the episode, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is an only child, and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) grows up as a Frost Giant. Without their sibling rivalry, the pair become friends and party on Earth while Thor’s mother, Frigga (voiced by Josette Eales), is away. However, the party gets out of control and could have world-ending consequences. Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (voiced by Alexandra Daniels) arrives on Earth to stop Thor, taking the God of Thunder on admirably. Eventually, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) contacts Frigga, and Thor’s celebration ends.

Avengers: Endgame brought Iron Man’s (Robert Downey Jr.) story to a close in the MCU. During the final battle with Thanos (Josh Brolin), Tony Stark steals the Infinity Stones from the Mad Titan, swiftly snapping away the villain and his minions. But, unfortunately, the act of using the Infinity Stones is too powerful for Stark’s mortal body, and it ultimately leads to his death. Following Stark’s death, Endgame gave the character a touching tribute, honoring his contributions to the first decade of the MCU. And though no characters are ever truly dead with the Multiverse, What If…? has made it clear that the Stark from the main timeline won’t return. Tony Stark’s death is likely a fixed point in the MCU.

Sans Iron Man, the MCU could use Captain Marvel as a replacement. In What If…? episode 7, Thor’s partying gets out of control, and Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) promptly calls Captain Marvel to come down and help. She takes Thor on one-on-one, overcoming his lighting attacks and even going blow-for-blow against Mjölnir. She also belittles Thor, calling him “Whitesnake” to mock his flowing mane. And through it all, Captain Marvel proves she could replace Iron Man as a leader for the Avengers.

Captain Marvel repeatedly demonstrates why she could be the new Iron Man in What If…?. Firstly, she is one of the most powerful characters in the MCU, going toe-to-toe with Thor while holding back her full strength. “If I exert my full powers, I blow a crater in this planet,” Captain Marvel warns Maria Hill. Besides handling Thor, Captain Marvel also has a knack for dolling out nicknames. In addition to “Whitesnake,” she also calls Thor “Kappa Kappa frat freak.” Stark, who regularly gave out nicknames, would approve. She also defended the Earth when it needed her. In his desperation to protect the Earth, Stark inadvertently creates Ultron (James Spader), showing he was a liability as much as a protector. On the other hand, Captain Marvel can defend the Earth without mistakenly making a supervillain in the process.

Unfortunately, Danvers is a citizen of the universe, not just of Earth. Captain Marvel is absent through most of Endgame simply because she is off helping other planets in the galaxy. She could be missing when Earth’s Mightiest Heroes need her the most. While Stark had his hands full protecting one planet, Danvers is worried about the entire universe. Captain Marvel has all the necessary qualities to replace Iron Man. It’s just unclear if she would do it.

Marvel’s What If…? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.