Period superhero films face a particular problem. It’s not a problem exactly, but more of an inevitability. When a superhero gets an origin story set in the past, they are naturally surrounded by friends and allies. But when they’re unfrozen after 70 years or simply outlive their era, all those friends are dead and gone.
This can be a bummer, because we as audiences have grown attached to these supporting characters. While I’m excited to see Wonder Woman 1984, I’m sad that we won’t see Etta Candy, Samir, Charlie or the Chief again. And when Steve Rogers was unfrozen, we lost the Howling Commandos, and young Howard Stark. Sometimes these characters, like Peggy Carter, get a new life in a spin-off series, or appear briefly in old age make-up. But for the most part, these character’s journeys are finished.
Which brings us to Captain Marvel. The film, set in 1995, introduces us to Carol’s best friend and fellow aviator Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) and her adorable 11-year old daughter Monica (Akira Akbar). When Carol returns in 2019, where will the Rambeaus be 24 years later? Maria will be somewhere in her 50s, which Lynch can portray via older make-up and possibly CGI. But Monica will be a 35-year old adult, and will have to be recast.
Marvel fans will remember Monica Rambeau as the first iteration of Captain Marvel and the first black woman to lead the Avengers. In the most recent timeline, Monica was reimagined as Spectrum, a superhero with the power to manipulate all energies of the electromagnetic spectrum.
By introducing Monica in Captain Marvel, the character is poised to become a major player in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The only question remains: who should play her? Here are some picks:
Nicole Beharie
(image: Fox)
Nicole Beharie’s big break came from playing Lieutenant Abby Mills on Sleepy Hollow. But the show did her dirty, slowly reducing her role before killing her off in the season three finale. As an early Sleepy Hollow fan, it was disappointing to see the show waste Beharie’s talents. She’ll soon star in the remake of Jacob’s Ladder, but she would be an awesome addition to the MCU.
Meagan Good
(image: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Meagan Good started as a child actor alongside Jurnee Smollett-Bell in Eve’s Bayou, and has been working steadily into adulthood. Her credits include Stomp the Yard, Think Like a Man, as well as TV series White Famous and Star. While Good consistently delivers, she has yet to be given a showcase for her talents. Maybe Spectrum is it.
Betty Gabriel
(image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Betty Gabriel is currently starring on Starz’s Counterpart, but most people know her from her frightening turn as the maid in Jordan Peele’s Get Out. Gabriel is a captivating performer to watch, and has proved her acting range from Good Girls Revolt to Westworld.
Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Martin-Green is no stranger to genre work, having starred in The Walking Dead. She is currently one of the leads on Star Trek: Discovery, and has proved herself to be a smart and engaging actor. Frankly, it’s surprising she hasn’t found her way into the MCU already.
Yaya DaCosta
(image: Warner Bros.)
Yaya DaCosta has the rare distinction of being an America’s Next Top Model alumnus whose career continued after the reality show. The actress is currently a lead on Chicago Med, and played Whitney Houston in the Lifetime biopic Whitney, which was directed by none other than the queen of Wakanda herself, Angela Bassett.
Who do you think should play grown up Monica? Share your thoughts in the comments!
(image: Marvel)
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