Summary

The Marvels will feature a gender-swapped villain, Dar-Benn, who causes the heroes to switch powers every time they use them.
Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, will take on the superhero moniker Photon in the film as her powers continue to develop.
The Marvels will explore the destabilization of the MCU and the grander storyline of preventing the destabilization of the universe, potentially changing the landscape of the MCU forever.

Nia DaCosta has confirmed new details about the MCU’s upcoming The Marvels, revealing more about the film’s titular heroes, Marvel Studios’ new villain, and the universe-changing storyline. First announced at SDCC 2019, the sequel to Captain Marvel will hit theaters on November 10, 2023, bringing Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani together for the first time as Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan, respectively. After finding their powers mysteriously entangled, the superpowered trio will team up under the guidance of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury to battle a brand-new MCU villain and face new cosmic challenges.

During a recent interview with Empire Magazinefor their October 2023 issue, The Marvels director Nia DaCosta confirmed several new details about the upcoming MCU adventure. While some of these reveals had been teased already, DaCosta’s interview confirms some major story and character elements for The Marvels that have the chance to change the future of the MCU forever. Among these new details comes information about the titular trio of heroes, The Marvels’ new villain, and the exploration of the wider world of the MCU and the mythos of the Multiverse Saga. DaCosta confirmed seven major details that raise excitement for the final film in Marvel Studios’ 2023 slate.

7 The Marvels’ Heroes Swap Places Because Of Zawe Ashton’s Dar-Benn

Zawe Ashton was confirmed to be joining The Marvels’ cast in February 2021 and was later revealed to be portraying a gender-swapped version of Marvel Comics’ Dar-Benn. The Marvels’ trailers have provided glimpses at Dar-Benn, but DaCosta’s interview revealed that Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Ms. Marvel switch places every time they use their powers “thanks to a Kree Accuser [Dar-Benn] with a special bracelet and Cosmi Rod to grind.” This confirms that the Marvels’ power entanglement has been caused by Dar-Benn, who is also in possession of the sister to Kamala Khan’s mystical bangle and a Cosmi Rod similar to Guardians of the Galaxy’s Ronan the Accuser.

6 Monica Rambeau Has Been Christened Photon In The Marvels

There has been speculation for some time that Monica Rambeau will assume her Marvel Comics superhero moniker in The Marvels, and DaCosta’s interview confirms that Rambeau will be “newly christened Photon” in the upcoming film. Photon was previously Maria Rambeau’s Air Force call sign in Captain Marvel, so Monica adopting her mother’s nickname has a deeper meaning for her evolution into a superhero. Monica gained her abilities after being exposed to the Scarlet Witch’s Hex in WandaVision, but The Marvels will see her powers develop further as she learns to control them and use them to her benefit and the benefit of her new superhero team.

5 The Marvels Will Face The Destabilization Of The MCU

DaCosta’s interview not only stresses the fact that Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan will develop a sisterly relationship in The Marvels but that the film will also deal with a grander and more terrifying storyline. DaCosta notes that the trio will also be “preventing the destabilization of the universe,” suggesting that The Marvels’ plot could change the landscape of the MCU forever. Previous projects in the Multiverse Saga have been dealing with the concept of incursions and universal destruction, and though it’s unclear whether this is what DaCosta is referring to, but The Marvels could push the Multiverse Saga’s story forward perfectly.

4 Nia DaCosta Took Inspiration From Guardians Of The Galaxy

James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise was one of the most popular corners of the MCU, so it makes sense that DaCosta would want to replicate this. Referring back to the sisterly bond between Danvers, Rambeau, and Khan, Empire notes that, “drawing from her own experience as an older sister, as well as from the tone of the original Guardians of the Galaxy movie, DaCosta wanted the emotional beats to hit as hard as the action.” Guardians of the Galaxy explored the familial bond created between the rag-tag members of the team, while delivering some intense moments of action and tenderness, something that The Marvels will strive to mirror.

3 The Marvels Will Confirm What Carol Danvers Was Doing After Captain Marvel

Since Captain Marvel was set in 1995, and Carol Danvers didn’t make her next appearance until the 2018-set opening of Avengers: Endgame, there are almost thirty years missing from her story that The Marvels will address. In the Empire article, this has been confirmed to include “clarifying where Carol was when the death occurred of her best friend, Monica’s mother Maria Rambeau, and how her absence affected Monica.” DaCosta notes that seeing Monica and Carol reconcile after so long is a key element of The Marvels’ story, and the fact that the upcoming film will finally answer what Captain Marvel has been doing all this time will please many viewers.

Related: All Marvel Movies Releasing In 2023

2 Monica Rambeau Learns To Fly In The Marvels

Monica Rambeau first appeared as a child in Captain Marvel before Parris debuted as the adult Monica Rambeau in WandaVision. After gaining her abilities in the MCU’s Phase 4, The Marvels will see her discover new tricks. Empire notes that, “in The Marvels [Monica’s] using her ability to see and manipulate electromagnetic waves for the first time. And she learns how to fly.” This is an impressive new power that was briefly glimpsed in The Marvels’ second trailer, bringing her closer to the power set of Captain Marvel herself. DaCosta mentions that this is “a big moment for her,” helping to establish Photon as a serious player in the MCU’s.

1 New Realms Will Be Explored In The Marvels

As well as focusing on the budding relationship between Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan, The Marvels is also set to explore some exciting new locations in the MCU. As noted in the Empire article, “The Marvels introduces new galactic realms, such as a Mediterranean-themed planet and other, darker domains.” While Captain Marvel was predominantly Earth-based, aside from introducing the Kree homeworld of Hala, The Marvels will expand the cosmic side of the MCU much further, offering “quirky alternatives to the established cosmos in the MCU.” After the confirmation of these new details, The Marvels could be a strong addition to the MCU’s Phase 5.

Key Release Dates

The Marvels

Deadpool 3

Captain America: Brave New World

Marvel’s Thunderbolts

Blade (2025)

Marvel’s Fantastic Four

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

Avengers: Secret Wars

 The Marvels’ Nia DaCosta has confirmed new details.  Read More  

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