We're currently in the midst of an extremely exciting time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase Three has been going off without a hitch, with each blockbuster being both a critical and box office success. With Black Panther in the rear view and making tons of money, the time has come to look to the future of the shared universe. One of the most exciting upcoming blockbusters is Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's Captain Marvel, which will bring Brie Larson's superhero into live-action for the first time. The film is going to be set in the 1990's, and know we know why this choice was made. Namely, it's to set up Nick Fury's trajectory toward forming The Avengers years later. As Marvel studios head honcho tells it:
We wanted to explore a period before Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury had any idea about any of the other heroes and crazy stuff going on in the world. You know, we first met Nick when he told Tony, 'You're part of a big universe. You just don't know yet.' Well, we want to go back to a time when he didn't know it yet, and really showcase and announce that Carol Danvers was that first hero that Nick came across.
Now this is exciting, and helps make Captain Marvel an even more fascinating upcoming project. In addition to serving as an origin story for one of the shared universe's most powerful characters, it'll also greatly expand Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury. Since he's been missing since his appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron, it makes his upcoming role even more enticing.
Captain Marvel's 90s setting is one of the ways the film is hoping to set itself apart from the rest of the MCU, and get moviegoers excited to hit theaters. While casual audiences may be excited to return to the decade of boy bands and grunge, Captain Marvel predating the rest of the shared universe has the potential for major implications in the greater MCU. Fans were hoping that her interaction with Nick Fury would be the catalyst for forming The Avengers, and it looks like those theorists were right.
Kevin Feige's comments to EW seem to prove how methodically Marvel Studios has been taking their approach to new blockbusters. While the DC Extended Universe is still attempting to formulate a concrete vision and release schedule, Marvel hasn't had a misstep in years. Each blockbuster offers something new to the table, and the overall planning and connective tissue between franchises has been accomplished through deliberate storytelling. Nick Fury will finally return to the shared universe, where fans will get a closer look into his psyche in the years before he eventually showed up in 2008's Iron Man.
Captain Marvel will arrive in theaters March 6, 2019, although many fans are hoping she pops up in Infinity War. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
