MCU Theory: Luke Cage's Villain Appears In Civil War

Captain America: Civil War could include one of Luke Cage's villains based on a popular Marvel Cinematic Universe theory. Before Kevin Feige began overseeing Marvel's TV development, it was largely understood by fans that the MCU movies and Marvel TV shows were only tangentially related at best. Agents of SHIELD and the Marvel/Netflix shows made references to the films, but the movies never repaid the favor. This inevitably created some issues and MCU continuity plot holes, and the divide only grew as time went on.

By the time Captain America: Civil War hit theaters in 2016, Marvel TV was pumping out multiple new seasons of television each year. Agents of SHIELD was wrapping up its third season on ABC and laying the groundwork for Inhumans to join the MCU - prior to the Inhumans movie being canceled and revived as an ABC series. Netflix was also in the early days of establishing its own Marvel universe that built toward The Defenders. Two seasons of Daredevil and the first for Jessica Jones were released prior to Captain America: Civil War, with the debut season of Luke Cage only a few months behind. At the time, there was hope that the third Captain America film would impact the various Marvel shows or even lead to the TV characters eventually appearing in the movies. While Agents of SHIELD referenced the Sokovia Accords, the Netflix shows didn't bother addressing the events.

To this point, the first and only Marvel TV character to make the jump to the movies is Agent Carter's James D'Arcy's Jarvis cameo appearance in Avengers: Endgame. However, the expansiveness of the MCU has seen the same actors and actresses play multiple roles from time to time. With the MCU's continuity, there are plenty of theories that try to explain how this is possible - such as the cop Enver Gjokaj played in The Avengers being a descendent of his Agent Carter character Daniel Sousa, or even a time-traveling Sousa. Alfre Woodard is another MCU cast member who has played two seemingly different roles in Captain America: Civil War and Luke Cage. But what if the two roles are actually the same?

Alfre Woodard's Two MCU Roles Explained

Alfre Woodard Luke Cage Captain America Civil War

Alfre Woodard first appeared in the MCU in Captain America: Civil War as Miriam Sharpe. Her role in the movie is quite small, but it is still important. Miriam is an employee at the U.S. State Department who confronts Tony Stark after his presentation at MIT. She explains to Stark that her son Charlie Spencer was killed during the Battle of Sokovia and blames Stark and the Avengers for it. Miriam is last seen walking into an elevator and telling Iron Man that he and the Avengers only fight for themselves. This conversation had a major impact on Tony and pushed him to side with the UN and the Sokovia Accords.

The news of Alfre Woodard playing a small role in Captain America: Civil War came after it was already revealed she'd play Mariah Dillard in Luke Cage. Her role in the series saw Mariah become the main villain of season 1 and return for most of season 2. Mariah is introduced as a powerful politician in Harlem whose plans repeatedly were thwarted by Luke Cage. She did everything in her power to keep him and others from interfering, which included killing her cousin Cottonmouth and using Hammer Industries' Judas Bullets to try and kill Cage.

Theory: Mariah Dillard Is Miriam In Civil War

There is a possibility that Woodard's two roles could be the same and allow the Luke Cage villain to retroactively appear in Captain America: Civil War. Mariah's political power and influence in Harlem are increasing around the same time that Captain America: Civil War takes place. With her methods and the rising prominence of vigilantes, a document that restricts superhero activities could greatly benefit Mariah. Even if those who could get in her way don't sign, the establishment of them could decrease their interest in doing something they aren't allowed to.

Mariah and Miriam being the same person isn't too difficult to pull off either. If Mariah wanted the Sokovia Accords to happen, manipulating Tony Stark to give it a push forward makes sense. She easily could've created a fake identity or backstory with her resources and used it to surprise Stark with a story that makes him in favor of the document. It would be easier for Mariah to pose as Miriam and latch onto the actual in-universe death of Charlie Spencer, who she claims to be her son. Since Tony is able to learn a decent amount of information about Charlie, that is an easier explanation than Mariah creating a completely fake story that Tony wouldn't immediately realize is untrue after some research. At least 177 people died in the Battle of Sokovia, too, so Mariah would've had plenty of people to choose from to create a narrative that Tony Stark might buy.

Mariah Dillard Can Connect Netflix To The MCU

Although Captain America: Civil War writers Christoper Markus and Stephen McFeely said at the time that Alfre Woodard's two roles are entirely different characters, that could still change. Marvel Studios isn't above small retcons that tie the universe together. They confirmed the theory that Peter Parker was in Iron Man 2 since it doesn't change anything narratively and adds to Peter and Tony's relationship. Making Alfre Woodard's role in Captain America: Civil War doesn't have the same level of value necessarily, but it could be a step towards linking the Netflix shows and MCU movies in a bigger way.

This could go a long way if actors from the Netflix shows return in the same roles in future MCU properties. Charlie Cox is rumored to be playing Daredevil again in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and plenty of fans hope Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones, Jon Bernthal's Punisher, Wilson D'Onofrio's Kingpin, and others aren't too far behind. Miriam Phillips being a cover for Mariah Dillard can add to the connections. This would create an unsolvable issue with Mahershala Ali playing Blade after starring in Luke Cage as Cottonmouth, but the rest could still work. It is obviously a long shot that the MCU will ever address Woodard's dual roles, but that won't stop fans from theorizing about how the shows and movies can remain connected.

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