The Marvels: Everything You Need to Know

(Updated 07/15/2022)

Though the current phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (that would be Phase 4, for those counting) includes many brand-new heroes and stories, several movies continue the stories of well-known heroes.

THE MARVELS — which was once known as CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 — is somewhere in the middle. This is the sequel to Brie Larson’s acclaimed first outing as Captain Marvel, released back in 2019. With Larson reprising the role as Carol Danvers, this sequel will be much-anticipated addition to the story of Captain Marvel. It’s been three years since her first film, and beyond that she’s only had brief appearances in AVENGERS: ENDGAME and a mid-credits cameo in SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS last summer. Captain Marvel’s return will surely be a welcome one. Sadly, we won’t be seeing another solo outing for Captain Marvel until next year. But in the meantime, here’s everything we know so far about THE MARVELS.

When and How You Can See The Marvels

THE MARVELS was slated for a release date of February 23, 2023, but it is now set for July 28, 2023. Even with the release date change, one thing has remained constant: THE MARVELS will play exclusively in movie theatres.

Is There a Trailer for The Marvels?

There is no trailer yet for THE MARVELS. If you see something purported to be a trailer on YouTube, it is likely a fan-made edit based on footage from other movies. it is safe, however, to assume that the film is in the post-production stage. Principal photography began in August of last year. Hopefully, we’ll get a trailer by this summer at the latest.

The Marvels Cast

Joining Brie Larson will be Iman Vellani, who recently debuted as Kamala Kahn, aka the similarly-named superhero Ms. Marvel, in a Disney+ series. That's why this movie is called THE MARVELS, plural. It has multiple Captains Marvel. In addition, Saagar Shaikh, Zenobia Shroff, and Mohan Kapur will be reprising their roles from the Disney+ series.

Teyonah Parris, who recently starred in "WandaVision," will be reprising her role from the series as the adult version of CAPTAIN MARVEL’S Monica Rambeau for this film. Zawe Wilson (VELVET BUZZSAW) will play the film’s primary antagonist, though it is not yet known exactly who she will be playing. Park Seo-joon (PARASITE) was added for an unknown role as well.

And thankfully, Samuel L. Jackson will be returning as none other than Nick Fury, who has been far out in deep space, working with the Skrulls.

What is the Plot of The Marvels?

No plot summary has been unveiled as of yet. But a few clues help piece together what might be going on in THE MARVELS. For one, in SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, a post-credits scene revealed that Nick Fury and Maria Hill were actually the Skrulls from CAPTAIN MARVEL, Talos and Soren.

So know that Nick Fury is working on the construction of a space station. This station could end up being S.W.O.R.D. (which stands for Sentient World Observation and Response Department). S.W.O.R.D. is a sister organization to S.H.I.E.L.D., which could materialize as crucial to the plot of THE MARVELS.

Additionally, it is known the THE MARVELS will take place in the present day, as opposed to the first Captain Marvel film, which took place in 1995.

There are a couple of other points, which we'll explore just below.

The Ms. Marvel Connection

Here's where things get interesting. The Disney+ series "Ms. Marvel," which recently concluded its first season, introduces two important ideas that will likely be explored in THE MARVELS. Note that spoilers for the ending of "Ms. Marvel" follow.

First up, there's the switch. At the end of "Ms. Marvel," Carol Danvers and Kamala Kahn switch places. Danvers is in Kahn's closet and Kahn is… well, wherever Carol Danvers was. This might kick off the plot of THE MARVELS if Carol flies off to figure out what just happened.

And then there's the "M" word. At the end of "Ms. Marvel," Kamala is told that her DNA has an unusual characteristic that looks "like a mutation." Just in case the word "mutation" didn't stand out — which in Marvel parlance points specifically to the X-Men — the opening notes of the theme from "X-Men: The Animated Series" plays. If Kamala is a mutant, then the very idea of mutants might play into THE MARVELS, which would open some doors that have been closed for a long time in the MCU.

The Creative Team Behind The Marvels

Though Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck directed CAPTAIN MARVEL, Nia DaCosta, who recently helmed 2021’s reboot of CANDYMAN, will be helming the sequel. Megan McDonnell will be handling the screenplay, having flexed her muscles on "WandaVision" last year.

 

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All images courtesy of Marvel Studios.