The Marvel Cinematic Universe has no shortage of powerful women, but none are as iconic as Captain Marvel. From her debut in the solo film to her critical role in Avengers: Endgame, Carol Danvers has used her powers to fight for justice and a safe world for all. She’s also spoken many empowering words throughout her MCU career, from her first appearance as a Starforce pilot to her recent speech to dismantle the inhibitor that shackled her for years.
The character was created in 1939 by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck for Fawcett Comics, who hoped to capitalize on the popularity of DC’s Superman. The same year, the company folded and Fawcett Publications was taken over by National Comics (later renamed DC Comics). In 1972, DC revived the characters with a new series called Shazam!, featuring both Billy Batson and his long-lost brother, Kid Eternity. The two share similar origins, including the death of a parent and their ability to activate magic words in their superhero names.
MCU fans have been able to see Captain Marvel in both a dream sequence within an episode of Superman: The Animated Series and the live-action cameos of the Beastie Boys music video for “Alive” and the Justice League Unlimited episode “Clash”. She has also appeared in the animated miniseries Young Justice and the Superman/Batman animated crossovers.
One of the standout elements of Captain Marvel was the younger versions of SHIELD stalwarts Nick Fury and Phil Coulson. This required that 69-year-old Samuel L. Jackson and 56-year-old Clark Gregg be digitally de-aged for the movie, with dozens of artists working frame-by-frame to make it look natural. Producers worked with three VFX houses to create the effect: Rising Sun Pictures, Lola and Screen Scene Visual Effects.