Captain Marvel may have generated intense debate online, but it was an undeniable success for Marvel Studios. It grossed over $1.1 billion in the global box office, making it one of Marvel's most profitable movies to date.
Given that success, a sequel was inevitable. Marvel confirmed it at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, and officially began moving forward with the project in January 2020. Writers/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck won't be returning, with Avengers: Endgame.
Captain Marvel 2 won't come out until the tail-end of Phase 4, with its release date currently scheduled for July 8, 2022, but it appears to have been carefully timed to launch Phase 5. There's strong evidence this could be one of the most important movies in the MCU to date.
Captain Marvel 2 Can Setup MCU Phase 5's Cosmic Movies
Marvel Studios originally intended Phase 4 to focus on the cosmic, with Gunn confirmed in an interview as far back as August 2017. "Kevin [Feige] and I talk about it all the time, we just had a meeting today. Discussing what is the next iteration of cosmic characters and where are the characters that we’ve already created going to go in the next batch of films." Unfortunately these plans were left in disarray when Gunn was fired, and then re-hired. Because of this, Marvel's cosmic plans have been delayed.
That makes the timing of Captain Marvel 2 all the more interesting. This movie will come out at the tail-end of Phase 4, encouraging viewers to raise their eyes to the heavens once again. What's more, it's generally believed the post-credits scene of Captain Marvel 2 is poised to do what Guardians of the Galaxy 3 was originally intended to, setting up many more years of stories to come.
Captain Marvel 2 Could Setup MCU Phase 5's Main Villain
Whatever enemies Carol Danvers will go on to face, they must be powerful in order to pose a challenge to her. After all, this is a woman who can fly straight through starships without even seeming to lose her breath, and who brought down Sanctuary II in Avengers: Endgame. Thanos himself was unable to beat her, having to use the Power Stone to knock her out, and she is already one of the strongest characters in the entire MCU. Given the levels at play, it's clear Captain Marvel 2 will introduce some real power players in the MCU. They could easily become the main villains of Phase 5 and beyond.
One popular theory is that Carol Danvers will confront one or more of the Heralds of Galactus. They number among the most powerful beings in Marvel Comics, granted the Power Cosmic by Galactus himself. Captain Marvel could well become aware of a dark force advancing through the universe, consuming civilizations at a whim. In the comics, Galactus feasted on Skrullos, the homeworld of the Skrulls - the very alien race Captain Marvel has become sworn protector of in the first movie. The Devourer of Worlds could therefore make his presence felt in a very personal way for Marvel's most powerful superhero, by repeating this arc from the comics and setting him up as the Big Bad of Phase 5.
Captain Marvel 2 Can Establish Carol Danvers As The Avengers' New Leader
The MCU's Phase 4 slate differs to the first three phases in one significant way; there is no Avengers movie as part of it. For all that's the case, though, there's absolutely no way Marvel Studios intend to shelve such a high-performing franchise for long. Indeed, even Disney's Bob Iger refused to say there would be no Avengers: Infinity War.
If there is another Avengers film in the works, it stands to reason Captain Marvel will stand front and center of the new lineup. Back during set visits for Captain Marvel, Feige suggested Carol Danvers would lead the MCU going forward. "Captain Marvel is about to take the lead in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe," he observed, which further s the theory the MCU's future will be cosmic in nature. Given that context, it would make sense for Carol Danvers - the most experienced cosmic hero - to lead the Avengers.
There's another sense in which Captain Marvel 2 can establish Carol Danvers as an influential hero. Marvel has already confirmed a comic-book accurate portrayal essentially means Carol Danvers will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of heroes, bringing characters like Kamala Khan - and potentially the Young Avengers - into play.
All this means Captain Marvel 2 could be the most important movie in the future of the MCU. The delay of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 essentially means Phase 4 is a backup plan, but Captain Marvel 2 returns the focus to the cosmic. It has the potential to introduce key players in the future of the MCU, as well as enhance Carol Danvers' reputation so other young heroes can stand side by side with the Avengers. The potential is almost limitless.
