Captain Marvel 3 should have been used to introduce a major X-Men storyline

The Marvels not performing well at the theaters was disappointing. It was the most entertaining superhero movie of 2023 and showed that Iman Vellani is the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What’s worse is the amount of fans who regretted not seeing it in theaters. The number of people saying they wished they saw The Marvels in theaters shows that it was an amazing project. Unfortunately, it may have been Captain Marvel’s last solo movie.

Captain Marvel 3 not happening left a major storyline on the table. Marvel Studios could have introduced Rogue to the MCU. The Avengers and the mutants rarely interacted in those days, but this story changed the direction of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the X-Men.

Fans have been waiting to see the X-Men in the MCU. Kamala Khan and K'uk'ulkan (Namor) being mutants are teasing what’s coming. None of the major X-Men have shown up in the MCU. Captain Marvel 3 should have changed that. It would have been the big reveal of the X-Men in this universe. It would have been more than officially bringing mutants into the MCU. Rogue stealing Ms. Marvel's powers would have been a great story to see in live-action. 

The history of Rogue and Carol Danvers

In Avengers Annual No. 10 (1981), Rogue makes her Marvel Comics debut. With the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (Mystique, Destiny, Pyro, Blob, and Avalanch), they take on the Avengers. During their fight, Rogue steals the powers of Captain Marvel (then Ms. Marvel), Thor, and Captain America. Normally, the effects aren’t permanent. However, Marvel.com has an explanation. They say, “Due to Danvers’ unique physiology, Rogue semi-permanently stole her powers, psyche, and memories.” 

Years go by and Carol Danvers’ powers are split between her and Rogue. Eventually, Rogue loses them altogether. More time passes and Rogue’s flight, invulnerability, and super strength return. It became a part of her identity that fans loved. It was a smart move by Marvel. Rogue's popularity took a hit. Giving Rogue her abilities fixed that.

The one thing that didn’t change was the rivalry between Rogue and Carol Danvers. At the time, Rogue was an impressionable young adult being manipulated by her surrogate mother (Mystique). Carol finds this out and sees that Rogue is redeeming herself, but Carol can’t forgive her. Rogue violated her. That’s not something that is easily forgiven. Recently, Carol has made more of an effort to forgive her. They'll never be best friends, but they can work together.

Good news: Captain Marvel and Rogue's storyline can still be explored

Captain Marvel 3 may not happen, but there's hope for this storyline. A movie starring Carol Danvers isn’t the only way to make this happen. Since Rogue's origin involved Earth's Mightiest Heroes, any projects involving the Avengers could bring this to life. That being said, season 2 of Ms. Marvel is the best option.

Iman Vellani is still a new actor. Using the Rogue and Carol Danvers moment is a chance for Iman to show off her acting range. Kamala seeing her idol taken down would destroy her and possibly send her into a rage viewers haven't seen. This would prove that Iman Vellani has a future in acting beyond Marvel Studios.

Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow for news on Rogue, the X-Men, and more as it comes out.

For more on the Rogue and Carol Danvers comic book rivalry, read these issues

• Uncanny X-Men No. 158
• Uncanny X-Men No. 269
• Avengers Annual No. 10
• Marvel Super Heroes No. 11 (1990) 
• X-Men Legacy No. 269
• Captain Marvel No. 4 by Kelly Thompson