CAPTAIN MARVEL: Who Is Monica Rambeau? *Mild Spoilers*

Who is Monica Rambeau?

Monica Rambeau has been around in the comics since 1982. She was created by John Romita, Jr and Roger Stern for The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16. Following Stern to his run on Avengers, she became a mainstay in the title and eventually became the team leader. The version we saw in Captain Marvel is not quite there yet.

In the film, Monica is only 11 years old, but she’s portrayed as someone who will grow up to be a hero in her own right. She convinces her mother Maria to go on a mission with Carol even though it’s dangerous because it’s the right thing to do. It’s easy to see from her depiction in the film that the studio may have future plans for the character, but the question remains, where does she fit in?

Endgame

While there’s no official word yet, most rumors have stated that there’s about 5 years between the end of Infinity War and the beginning of Endgame (who knows what the difference will be at the end if Time Travel becomes a thing and shakes everything up). With that in mind, that means Monica would be in her mid-late 30s in Endgame (11 in 1995 makes her 33 in 2017 and 38 five years later). With the Avengers needing to rebuild the team, there’s definitely room for Monica to join up.

In the comics, Monica gets her powers from an accident involving “extra-dimensional energy” which coincidentally is very similar to how Carol Danvers acquires her powers as well. Seeking out the Avengers for help gaining control of her powers led to her joining the team and after a few years, took over as leader of the team. She’s gone by the names Captain Marvel, Photon (in the movie, her mother Maria’s code name), Pulsar, Daystar, and currently she goes by Spectrum.

Her powers allow her to transform herself into any form of energy within the electromagnetic spectrum and by assuming an energy-form, she gains all of that energy’s properties. She can assume and control cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, electricity, infrared radiation, microwaves, and many others. Due to her abilities, she is immortal and does not age. Whether or not Monica will show up in Endgame or any future films is up for debate, as is who should Marvel cast as the adult Monica Rambeau. Here are my thoughts.

1. Nathalie Emmanuel

You know her as Missandei from Game of Thrones. She’s currently 30, so she’s in the right range and she definitely looks like she could be the adult version of Akira Akbar. In addition to Game of Thrones she’s also appeared in the last two Fast & Furious films and the last two Maze Runner films.

2. Zazie Beetz

You know her as Domino from Deadpool 2. . . and before you ask, no I’m not just putting her on my list because Josh Brolin was in that movie too. She’s 27, so she’s a little younger, but if she’s immortal, depending on when she got her powers, that really doesn’t matter. While Deadpool 2 is her most action heavy role, she proved she can keep up.

3. Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu is a little older than the others at 35 (not that 35 is old), but I think she still fits. You know her from any number of things, Doctor Who, Jupiter Ascending, Concussion, The Colverfield Paradox, or A Wrinkle In Time. While her action-heavy roles have been limited, she’s definitely got the acting chops, the look, and can be trained for the rest.

4. Lashana Lynch

This could be an interesting way to go. Lashana is currently 31 so she’s definitely in the right range and she’s already a close representation of who Monica was in the comics, as opposed to the OG Maria Rambeau who, outside of being Monica’s mother, wasn’t really anyone special.

Having Lashana back as Monica would eliminate the need for a lengthy casting search but it would also allow for a more familiar bond between Carol, Monica, and the audience.

So, what do you guys think? Who would you want to see cast as Monica Rambeau? Which alias would you want her to go by in the MCU (there’s already the ‘Photon’ Easter egg)? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.