Carol Danvers is the focus of Marvel’s upcoming ‘Captain Marvel’ movie, but of course, there were a couple of other heroes that bore that name before her. The first was Kree spy Mar-Vell, who debuted in 1967’s ‘Marvel Super-Heroes’ #12. He earned his own comic book the following year and it ran (with some interruption) until 1979. He was killed off in the first Marvel graphic novel, ‘The Death of Captain Marvel’ in 1982. While Mar-Vell appeared on various pieces of merchandising, he never broke through as a true headliner. Even so, he has his fans and those fans should be happy to know that the character plays a role in ‘Captain Marvel’, and will be portrayed by Jude Law.
As Marvel Studios president Kevin Fiege said:
“I knew some about him, but it was definitely Carol Danvers who was most interesting to us and why we choose her. But as that character connects to the origin of Carol Danvers’ Captain Marvel? We’re pulling from some of that for inspiration.”
In the comics, Carol Danvers began as a supporting character in Mar-Vell’s book, before being exposed to a device controled by villain Yon-Rogg (also a Kree) called the Psycho-Magnetron, causing her genetic structure to fuse with Mar-Vell’s, making her a human/Kree hybrid. With her new powers, she was spun off into her own comic book, which originally lasted for 23 issues. She also served as a member of the Avengers. In 2012, she was renamed Captain Marvel and has been a major player in the Marvel Universe since.
Ben Mendelsohn (‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, ‘Ready Player One’) portrays Yon-Rogg in the movie and of course Brie Larson portrays Carol Danvers. Between Mar-Vell and Danvers, Marvel had a second Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau. Though it isn’t confirmed, it is believed that this is the role that Lashana Lynch is playing.
‘Captain Marvel’ also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Gemma Chan, Colin Ford, Kenneth Mitchell, Lee Pace, Djimon Hounsou and Clark Gregg. It was directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. It was due to be released next spring, but the latest word is that Disney has bumped it up to this winter!
Are you a fan of Mar-Vell? Are you glad he will play a role in Carol’s origin, even if it’s just as a supporting part?
Source: Uproxx