MCU Fan Theory Explains Dark Origin Of The Marvels' SABER Organization

A Marvel Cinematic Universe fan theory explains the dark origin of the SABER organization, which debuted in The Marvels' first trailer. 2019's Captain Marvel was a box office sensation, introducing Brie Larson as the title hero to the tune of a little over $1.1 billion worldwide. Now, the sequel plans to soar to even greater heights by adding Monica Rambeau actress Teyonah Parris and Ms. Marvel's Iman Vellani to The Marvels' cast. Larson will co-star with Parris and Vellani, as The Marvels brings together the three characters who share a history in the pages of Marvel Comics.

The Marvels' first trailer revealed many details from the movie, including how the three main characters connect. The Captain Marvel sequel sees the three heroes change places every time one of them uses their powers. That plot point should provide interesting opportunities to have each character delve a bit into one another's lives. In the trailer, one scene shows Rambeau switching places with Kamala Khan while spacewalking on a SABER space station. An MCU fan theory brings forth a possible dark origin for the new organization.

SWORD May Have Rebranded To SABER After WandaVision

Monica and Maria Rambeau with SWORD in WandaVision and Captain Marvel

The MCU fan theory in question claims that SWORD rebranded itself to SABER after the events of the Disney+ series WandaVision. In the series, SWORD tried to stop Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch's takeover of Westview. Throughout the show, the team at SWORD, led by Tyler Hayward, committed a number of dark actions. SWORD not only tried to murder an Avenger in Wanda, but Hayward almost shot two kids — Wanda and Vision's twins, Billy and Tommy — point-blank, being stopped by Rambeau. SWORD's actions ended up contributing to Wanda's villain turn.

The dark actions of SWORD's former leader, Hayward, might have made the organization rebrand itself to avoid any association with its Westview fiasco. SWORD is a well-known feature from Marvel Comics, so it would make sense that the organization would continue in the MCU as SABER — which does not exist in the comics — rather than being simply removed from the universe. Monica Rambeau being a SABER astronaut in The Marvels' trailer lends itself to this theory as she was previously a SWORD agent, and her mother, Maria Rambeau, founded SWORD in the MCU.

Other SABER Theories Explained

The Marvels Trailer Nick Fury SABER Agents

While a SWORD rebrand to SABER in the MCU is possible, there are a few other explanations for the origin of the MCU's new space organization. SWORD is known in Marvel Comics as the organization responsible for protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats, while SHIELD handles local threats. The MCU first teased SWORD in a post-credits scene of 2019's Spider-Man Far From Home. In the scene, Nick Fury was shown to be working with Skrulls in a space facility, which seemed to point at the former director of SHIELD now leading SWORD. However, WandaVision properly introduced SWORD to the MCU with Hayward in charge, as the organization dealt with a reality-defying threat.

It is possible that SABER and SWORD co-exist in the MCU, with the former taking care of space-based threats while the latter is Earth's response team to magic or interdimensional threats. This way, both agencies could be connected without actually being the same. Another possible explanation for The Marvels' SABER is that the space station seen in the trailer is part of SWORD, with SABER just being its name. Alternately, SABER could also be a secret organization led by Fury that operates without connection to the US government, given the Skrulls' presence. The Marvels should end the speculation on SABER's origins when it premieres in November.