How Marvel Studios’ Phase 4 Can Introduce The Real Captain Mar-Vell

Last year’s Captain Marvel was both a critical and commercial success for Marvel Studios. But the film was met with some objections from fans, for instance, one such criticism was directed toward its treatment of the classic hero Captain Mar-Vell.

Created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan, 1967’s Marvel Super-Heroes #12 introduced Mar-Vell. A Kree soldier, the character was sent to spy on Earth and determine if it was a threat. Mar-Vell eventually came to appreciate humanity and became one of the planet’s heroes. Mar-Vell served as Marvel’s definitive Captain Marvel until 1982 when Monica Rambeau took the name in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16.

Cover to Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967)

The comics depicted Captain Mar-Vell as a man, but Marvel Studios flipped the character’s origin and cast Annette Bening as a female version of the hero. While Bening’s performance was well-received, some fans still wished they had seen the classic version of the iconic hero.

In Captain Marvel, Bening’s Mar-Vell is revealed to have been killed in the accident that gave Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers her powers. But this doesn’t need to be the end of the Kree hero in the MCU.

It has been rumored that 2021’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will feature alternate versions of known MCU characters. If this concept is used in the film, it will allow Marvel to introduce different takes on decisions that have been poorly received by fans. For instance, the film could be used to add an alternate universe where the classic version of Captain Mar-Vell exists. From here, the character could make his way into the main MCU timeline and interact with its bevy of heroes and villains.

Annette Bening as Mar-Vell in Captain Marvel

While Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may not directly introduce an alternate Mar-Vell, it would open a door for him to be used later on down the line given the concept of alternate universes and thus alternative heroes.

This may be met with some objection as some feel it would erase Carol’s importance, but that is not the case. There can be multiple characters with the same name and powers existing at the same time as long as it is handled correctly. 2021’s Thor: Love and Thunder will tackle this problem with the introduction of Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor. In comics, this concept has been presented with no issue. Characters like Peter Parker and Miles Morales both share the title of Spider-Man in Marvel Comics, while 6 Green Lanterns are protecting Earth in DC Comics.

Mar-Vell has been an important part of Marvel Comics history, so to see his impact absent from the MCU has been frustrating for some fans. By introducing him it would allow for not only some exciting storytelling not only for the hero himself, but it would open the door to some exciting stories for Danvers’ Captain Marvel.

Would you like to see Marvel Studios introduce the classic version of Captain Mar-Vell? Do you think the MCU should focus on Carol Danvers’ Captain Marvel? Let us know in the comments below!

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