In Captain Marvel, Brie Larson delivered an amazing portrayal of a woman who can switch between genders and fight for the betterment of her people. Her character was a beacon of Big Queer Energy and a realistically feminist take on superheroes that set her apart from most female characters in the MCU. Her costume was also comics-accurate, including thigh high boots and a leotard that looks just like the one that was worn by the female members of Valkyrie (which fans ship her with in a style known as “ValCap”).
But in Avengers: Endgame, there’s a change that some fan are not happy about. When Captain Marvel appears in the climax of the film as a hologram, she has very short hair. It’s a shoulder length cut that almost has the look of a pixie. This is a drastic change from the long blond bob she wears in her own movie and when she appeared alongside the other surviving Avengers.
There is no lore-based explanation for this sudden change in Carol’s appearance in Endgame. It’s possible that this is simply a change that the Russo brothers felt was more appropriate to her character’s depiction in the comics. However, a more likely explanation is that it’s an attempt to make Captain Marvel appear younger in the climax of the movie.
Whatever the reason, this new haircut for Captain Marvel in Endgame is going to have fans talking, particularly for a certain portion of her fandom. While the change may seem minor to most, it’s impactful for some and highlights the way that Marvel and its creative team are attempting to diversify their characters in this era of the MCU.