Captain Marvel was introduced as the strongest Avenger by the studio. However, with the changing MCU Phase she lost her status. Here’s why.
Back in 2019 when Brie Larson was announced as MCU’s Captain Marvel, she was dubbed as the strongest Avenger yet. However, her status has changed as the MCU progresses into a new phase. While the initial three phases introduced the earthbound OG Avengers, the horizon expanded thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel. In the comic Carol Danvers is undoubtedly the strongest but in the MCU the case might not be the same.
Captain Marvel’s Abilities in The MCU
Captain Marvel debuted right between Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. It was a crucial decision on the part of director duo Anthony and Joe Russo to showcase the extent of her powers. They deliberately decided to make the last fight about the ‘OG Avengers’ and minimized Captain Marvel’s part, albeit giving her a fitting fight with Thanos.
While promoting the 2019 Captain Marvel, studio head Kevin Feige had told Vulture, “Captain Marvel, she is as powerful a character as we’ve ever put in a movie. Her powers are off the charts, and when she’s introduced, she will be by far the strongest character we’ve ever had.”
And truly, fans saw Carol Danvers going Binary and punching through Thanos’ ship. Furthermore, even with an Infinity Gauntlet, the Mad Titan was not able to easily overpower her. She took a headbutt like a boss and got punched in the face with a raw Infinity Stone and walked it off! Certainly, she looked like the strongest Avenger around.
Avid comic readers know that Captain Marvel is unbeatable. She can switch to her Binary mode and draw energy from a White Hole. In the comics, Hank Pym, breaking the fourth wall, theorizes that the audience haven’t even seen the extreme of Captain Marvel’s powers yet. However, her powers weaken when dealing with magical beings or magic itself. That’s why characters like Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff can overpower her.
Scarlet Witch is Stronger that Captain Marvel
Nonetheless, post-Avengers: Endgame Feige changed his stance on the most powerful Avenger in the MCU. At a Q&A session at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), he dubbed Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch as the strongest Avenger. He said, “Well, I think it’s interesting if you look at Endgame, Wanda Maximoff was gonna kill Thanos.” And he has a point!
Watch: NYFA Guest Speaker Series: Kevin Feige
Right before Captain Marvel made her way to Earth to join the Endgame battle, Thanos had to rain fire on the field. Wanda had him by the throat and the Mad Titan had no way out. And cherry on the cake is that Wanda whose powers come from the Mind Stone, hasn’t event explored them fully. Imagine a trained Scarlet Witch! She won’t have to even bat an eyelid to take down Thanos.
Furthermore, MCU Phase 4 starts with WandaVision on Disney+ and it looks like Wanda has created a pocket reality to deal with her traumas. Her story will continue with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Marvel has revealed that Wanda will transform into Scarlet Witch soon enough and that avatar is certainly going to be stronger than any Avenger MCU has seen. Carol Danvers certainly has cool powers, however, the introduction of the Multiverse brings on new strengths to existing characters.
Captain Marvel FAQ’s
While Captain Marvel was introduced as the strongest Avenger with progressive MCU phases, Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch is emerging as the strongest Avenger.
Captain Marvel can go binary and has superhuman strength like Thor. However, Thor being an Asgardian God is stronger than human-Kree hybrid Carol.
