Captain Marvel is edging closer to her full-blown introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe after being teased at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. The film, flying into theaters March 8, centers on Carol Danvers who returns to Earth with some crazy powers to defend the planet from the crossfire of an intergalactic war. We also think she’ll be a key player in defeating Thanos, so it’s a good thing Marvel is laying the groundwork before that epic confrontation. What else do you need to know about Captain Marvel before her big-screen debut? Check it out!
THE ‘90s
Captain Marvel is the second full-on period piece in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking place back in 1995. The era is key to the story, as it’ll likely explain where the hero disappears to while the events of the last 18 films have been taking place.
We’ll meet Carol Danvers, an incredibly skilled Air Force pilot, who encounters an alien device that merges her DNA with a race of alien warriors — the Kree. With her newfound gifts — energy projection, flight, and super strength — she joins an elite galactic team called the Starforce. It’s here she learns to hone her abilities before eventually finding her way back to Earth as two warring alien races make it their battleground.
THE HEROES
Of course, Captain Marvel is the main hero, and it’s fantastic to finally have a woman leading a solo film in the MCU. But there are other heroes alongside her. The most significant is a pre-eyepatch Nick Fury, still played by Samuel L. Jackson. He’s a younger S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who hasn’t met any superheroes… Yet. Also making an appearance is Phil Coulson, played once again by Clark Gregg. He’s a rookie agent and we may see him meeting Fury for the first time. It’s all connected.
THE VILLAINS
Every intergalactic adventure needs a villain or two. Captain Marvel has that and then some. The most important are the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifting aliens led by the devious Talos, played by Ben Mendelsohn. That old lady who Carol punches in the face? No, she didn’t steal her seat on the train, she’s a creepy alien in disguise.
The galaxy is engulfed in the Kree-Skrull War and it’s slowly spilling onto Earth. If you’re a longtime fan of the MCU you might be familiar with the Kree thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — they’re nice very nice. Speaking of Guardians, Ronan the Accuser is back! Once again played by Lee Pace, we’ll see the Kree terrorist 20 years before his demise at the hands of the Peter Quill and friends.
THE IMPACT
Let’s not forget, Avengers: Endgame is also only a few months out, and it wouldn’t be surprising if there are some clues dotted around Captain Marvel to tease how she’ll play into defeating Thanos — aside from punching him really, really hard. Where does she go for the next 20 years? Why didn’t Fury use the pager before the end of Infinity War? Did Goose survive the snap?! You’ll have to wait and find out.
You can catch Captain Marvel in theaters March 8.
