How Much More Powerful Captain Marvel Can Become In The Marvels

Captain Marvel became one of the most powerful superheroes in the MCU in Captain Marvel, but she can become even more powerful in the upcoming sequel, The Marvels. Introduced in Phase 3 of the MCU, Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) is an invaluable member of The Avengers who protects planets across the universe who aren't lucky enough to have their own defenders like Earth. Danvers was key to the defeat of Thanos in the Infinity Saga, thanks to her incredible strength, but she may grow even stronger in her next solo outing. The cosmic energy of an Infinity Stone granted Captain Marvel her powers initially, but perhaps her cosmic adventures will provide a significant power boost to Danvers, solidifying her position as the most formidable hero in the MCU.

The Marvels will feature additional heroes to back up Danvers. Monica Rambeau, who appeared in Captain Marvel and WandaVision, will rejoin her childhood hero, now with powers of her own. Rambeau’s exposure to Wanda Maximoff’s “Hex” left her with powers of energy absorption, intangibility, and enhanced perception. According to Teyonah Parris, Rambeau will continue to develop and understand her abilities, bringing her closer to her comic counterpart, who became the second Captain Marvel. The film will also feature Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, following her 2022 MCU debut in the Disney+ series, Ms. Marvel. Khan’s polymorph powers from the comics appear to have been changed for the MCU, as evidenced by promotional material, and her origin as an Inhuman who was exposed to the Terrigen Mists may also be altered.

Other than its three protagonists, little is known about the plot of The Marvels. Brie Larson offered a subtle hint, however, during an interview. Larson said that Carol Danvers was still growing into her set of powers in Captain Marvel, just as the actress was further developing her physical strength. Now Larson is even stronger and Danvers will be too. How Carol Danvers will increase her strength and what this will mean for the MCU and her position as its strongest hero remains to be seen. Captain Marvel was already one of the most powerful characters in her previous appearances, but the MCU may need a more powerful version of Danvers by the events of The Marvels.

How Powerful Captain Marvel Already Is In The MCU

Captain Marvel fighting Thanos in Avengers: Endgame

Captain Marvel explains the origin of Carol Danvers’ powers. Danvers was imbued with near-limitless cosmic power when she was exposed to the Tesseract (the Infinity Stone also known as the Space Stone). Additionally, Danvers was given a blood transfusion by the Kree alien species, granting her their physical attributes. Now a Kree-Human hybrid, Danvers has physical strength, speed, durability, and agility that far outclasses an ordinary human. She famously uses her cosmic powers for flight and energy blasts from her hands, referred to as Photon Blasts. When fully unleashing her cosmic power, Captain Marvel goes into a state called Binary (referencing one of her titles in the Marvel comics universe), where she becomes nearly omnipotent.

Captain Marvel’s powers were excellently demonstrated in act 3 of Captain Marvel, where she goes into her Binary state and lays waste to Kree fighters and warships. Avengers: Endgame also succinctly demonstrated her abilities, with Danvers destroying Thanos’ flagship by flying through it. Against Thanos himself, while the Mad Titan wielded all six Infinity Stones, Danvers was far stronger, physically overpowering him and appearing unphased by a powerful headbutt. It was only when Thanos used the Power Stone that he managed to incapacitate Captain Marvel, but only briefly. The MCU’s most powerful hero during Endgame is debatable, but Carol Danvers is easily a top contender for the position.

Captain Marvel 2 Will Make Carol Stronger: How Powerful She Can Become

There are several ways that Captain Marvel could become stronger in The Marvels. As she did in the comics, the MCU’s Carol Danvers may get an additional upgrade from the Brood alien species. Thanks to Brood technology, Danvers’ powers were significantly increased, and she took on the new title of Binary. This might be the case in The Marvels if the Brood make their MCU debut, but Danvers may simply refine her powers on her own. As Binary, Danvers’ power in the comics was compared to that of a white hole. Danvers could fly through space at the speed of light and was capable of lifting over 100 tons, with Photon Blasts now comparable to the power of a star.

Carol Danvers has already been shown in Binary mode in the MCU, but she might further develop this state in The Marvels, perhaps taking the title Binary by the end of the film, allowing Monica Rambeau to become the new Captain Marvel. If Carol Danvers gets a similar power upgrade to her comic counterpart, she’ll retain her current powerset, but every ability will become far more potent. Danvers would gain additional powers as well, being able to manipulate all forms of radiation and light, and even possessing a degree of control over gravity in a manner comparable to telekinesis.

Will Captain Marvel 2 Become The MCU's Most Powerful Hero Again?

Carol Danver goes Binary Form in Captain Marvel

A common criticism of the MCU’s Captain Marvel is that she’s too powerful. While this is debatable, given her colleagues and the threats she faces, making Danvers even more powerful than before would certainly not help reduce these complaints. The MCU is, however, increasing the power of its threats in the aftermath of the Infinity Saga, so while Captain Marvel may become stronger in The Marvels, it may be necessary to stand a chance against foes who threaten more than just the universe.

The MCU Phase 4 has delved into the multiverse, increasing the scale of the franchise to include other realities and villains that threaten all of them. Kang the Conqueror, who is being set up as a potential successor to Thanos, is a warlord who travels across time and the multiverse. And while supremely powerful villains like Ultron and Thanos have already met their end at the hands of the Avengers, the MCU still has plenty of potential universe-ending threats left to play, including Galactus, Mephisto, Apocolypse, and of course, Doctor Doom. Captain Marvel could solidify her position as the MCU’s most powerful hero in The Marvels, but the franchise’s greater threats may necessitate a more powerful Carol Danvers.

Next: Captain Marvel 2 Will Struggle To Explain Carol Danvers' Missing MCU Stories