Avengers 4 Theory: The REAL Reason Captain Marvel's Name Isn't Used... Yet

5. Captain Marvel Will Lead The MCU

Since it became clear that the old guard of the MCU would be departing the franchise at one stage, Marvel had to act to ensure its longevity. The Avengers might rotate their roster all the time in the comics, but Iron Man and Captain America in particular are both staples of the Marvel Universe - it's rare that there'll be a period where they're out of action.

Cinema is a different beast altogether though. Time is linear, continuity more cut-and-dry, and there's a sense of finality to every occasion. RDJ and Evans were never going to play Tony and Steve forever, and it's fortunate that Marvel Studios have such a tremendous library of characters to depend upon, because, with any other franchise, the exits of two of their main stars would likely spell its end.

Not so, with Marvel. Though Cap and Iron Man are two of the most important characters in the publisher's library, they aren't the only ones to have led the Avengers, or even the company as a whole. The likes of Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Black Panther and even Captain Marvel have all emerged as some of the most recognisable faces in the superhero genre - the latter two over the last decade - and given the box-office draw of all four, it's fair to say that the MCU is in safe hands.

Out of the aforementioned group, it is Carol Danvers, however, that looks set to lead going forward. It's a sentiment that's been echoed by the upper echelons over at Marvel Studios, who have long claimed the character will be at the centre of the MCU for the foreseeable future.

If you were to say who 'led' the MCU prior to her arrival, then you'd probably say either Stark or Rogers. Both are set to depart, and while there's certainly room for more than one figurehead going forward, you can bank on Larson's hero being the key one from now on.