Captain Marvel is the MCU’s new Iron Man

Carol Danvers a.k.a. Captain Marvel is making her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the end of an era and the beginning of another, and she’s bound to have a very important role within this universe.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, its heroes, and fans all over the world are preparing for the cinematic debut of one of the most beloved female heroes from Marvel Comics –Carol Danvers, best known as Captain Marvel. Her first solo movie will take us back to the ‘90s to get to know her while also continuing the exploration of the cosmic side of the MCU.

Her second appearance will be in Avengers: Endgame, and she is rumored to be a key element in fixing the chaos brought on by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Now, heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor are about to hang their capes, shields, and armors after Endgame for contractual reasons, whatever their fate might be, making way to a new batch of superheroes, such as Captain Marvel. Post-Endgame, her role in the MCU will be a big one: she’s our new leader, very much like Tony Stark/Iron Man has been.

Iron Man has been the leader of this cinematic universe so far, though at some point in the narrative, he shared that duty with Captain America, but as the kickstarter of what we now know as the MCU, Mr. Stark stands as the (main) leader. Some will argue the leader should be Spider-Man, as he is not only under Stark’s wing but his second solo movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home, is the first movie following Endgame and first in Phase Four.

In fact, Kevin Feige has previously said that Spider-Man will lead the audience into Phase Four, but that “lead” is a different one from what Captain Marvel will bring. Spidey will welcome us to a new era of Marvel movies, but in terms of narrative, characters, and actual leadership among superheroes, Danvers will be the leader of the group, the way Iron Man has been since Phase One (or the beginning of everything).

More from Marvel Cinematic Universe

• Loki season 2 finale does set the stage for Kang Dynasty
• Marvel: (Spoiler) exits Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
• Will Loki air a new bonus episode tonight? (November 16, 2023)
• What If…? season 2 gets premiere date (and there’s a major twist)
• Marvel rumors hint Pedro Pascal has been cast in key Fantastic Four role

Moving into Phase Four, we are going deeper into the cosmic side of the MCU that has been building up since Guardians of the Galaxy. Movies like the sequel to Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, a potential third Ant-Man (and Wasp) movie, and the cinematic debut of The Eternals will continue the expansion of this cosmic part (not to mention the importance the Quantum Realm will have in this new phase). This broadens the horizon beyond Earth, and those are areas Captain Marvel can travel to and explore masterfully, more than Iron Man could.

Danvers, a human/Kree hybrid, has knowledge and experience on what happens on Earth and other planets, unlike Tony Stark. Surely, our genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist can gather all the information on alien planets and species and master them in no time, but it’s an “experience vs theory” thing in which Stark has the latter, and Danvers has both. Let’s say she has the higher ground on this.

There’s also  her leadership skills. In the comics, Danvers has been part of multiple superhero teams, including A-Force, Infinity Watch, and the Guardians of the Galaxy, and she even led the Mighty Avengers at some point. Just like we saw Iron Man and the origin of the Avengers team, we are about see Danvers and the construction of a new superhero roster. She’s a team player and a team leader – a combination that’s always needed and welcomed in the MCU.

Following the “Iron Man mantle” line, Stark has been serving as a mentor to young Peter Parker/Spider-Man since Captain America: Civil War, a facet we might not see with Danvers – at least not soon. While she could provide some guidance to Spidey and other heroes if needed, it’s doubtful we would see her in full mentor mode until (and if) Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel is introduced. After all, the future is female, and Marvel knows it.

With the arrival of Captain Marvel, we are not only getting Marvel Studios’ first female superhero solo movie, but we are also meeting a powerful woman, hero, and the new leader of the MCU that will take us on adventures (literally) outside of this world.

Captain Marvel, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and starring Brie Larson as the titular hero, will hit theaters on March 8th.