Captain Marvel
Release Date: July 6th, 2018
Character Synopsis: Previously known as both Carol Danvers and Ms. Marvel, the current Captain Marvel is a human/alien Kree hybrid who adopted the Captain Marvel mantle in 2012.
Origin: Working as an officer in the US Army, and overseeing the security of a restricted military base, Carol Danvers encounters Dr. Walter Lawson (the alien Kree superhero, Captain Marvel). After being abducted by Kree military commander Yon-Rogg, Carol Danvers sustains serious injuries during the explosion of a Kree device – though Captain Marvel saves her life. It transpires that during that event, the genetic structure of Danvers bonded with that of Captain Marvel – leading to her possession of super powers.
Powers: Danvers/Captain Marvel has enhanced stamina, superhuman strength, flight, endurance, a sixth sense, physical durability and resistance to toxins. She has, at times, lost her powers during her time as Ms. Marvel – particularly when Rogue absorbed them from her – but she always regains them.
Greatest Enemies: As a character that frequently crosses over into the storylines of other major characters and teams (such as the Avengers, Guardians Of The Galaxy, X Men, and Spider-Man), Danvers/Captain Marvel shares many of her greatest enemies with other plots arcs. She has battled Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Magneto, Mystique, Rogue, Moonstone, Thanos and Ultron, among many others, including the Kree Yon-Rogg.
Casting: There is a clear fan favourite for the role of Danvers/Captain Marvel, and that is Katee Sackhoff. Apart from bearing an uncanny resemblance to the character, she also has the physical prowess (see: Battlestar Galactica), and the benefit of popular support. Marvel, however, have historically displayed a tendency toward casting people with more recognisable names in terms of film (see, any Marvel movie). So if Sackhoff doesn’t make it to final casting, who are the alternatives?
Popular opinion seems to favour the award-winning Jessica Chastain – but personally, I don’t think she has the specific steely edge that is needed here (despite having spearheaded the taking down of Bin Laden in Zero Dark Thirty). For me, the only Sackhoff alternative for Captain Marvel is Emily Blunt because, well, have you seen Edge Of Tomorrow?
History and Future: Danvers/Captain Marvel is a complex character with a complex history. Clearly, she is relatively new to the title of Captain Marvel, despite Danvers having been created in 1968. She became Ms. Marvel in 1977 when she first gained her superpowers, and over time has also been known as the star-power generating Binary (after an experiment in space) and Warbird – as whom she rejoins the Avengers.
Assuming the title of Captain Marvel in 2012, she has continued to be seen battling both heroes and villains, and aligned herself with Tony Stark/Iron Man – against Captain America – during the events of the Civil War comic book storyline (which we now know will feature heavily in the Marvel Cinematic Universe). Looking to the future, what Danvers/Captain Marvel represents is the first female-led superhero film for Marvel and, as such, is cause for celebration.
Despite growing calls for Black Widow to have her own franchise, it is Captain Marvel that will break that new ground for the comic book movie giant.
– Sarah Myles