The Marvels: Reintroducing Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan to the MCU

The Marvels' Box Office Disappointment

The Marvels, the sequel to 2019's Captain Marvel, was released in November 2023 and marked the return of Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan in the MCU's Phase 5. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the film saw the three heroes band together to take on Zawe Ashton's MCU villain, Dar-Benn. Despite its storyline advancing the Multiverse Saga, The Marvels fell short of box office expectations.

Kamala Khan, Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau in space in The Marvels

The film opened to $46.1 million, lower than the projected $60 million, and experienced the largest second weekend drop of any modern-day superhero film, falling 78%. As of December 12, 2023, The Marvels has grossed $202.5 million at the global box office, making it the lowest-performing Marvel Studios project. This disappointing performance could impact the development of the powerful cast, posing a problem for their potential involvement in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

Monica Rambeau touching the jump point in The Marvels

Implications for Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan

The poor box office performance of The Marvels presents a major challenge for Marvel Studios in reintroducing Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan to the MCU. Both heroes were introduced in Disney+ shows and later brought into the movie side of the MCU in The Marvels. However, the film's lackluster turnout indicates that audiences may not have turned out for the Phase 5 project, raising concerns about the future involvement of these characters in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

Kamala Khan using her Quantum Band in The Marvels

The ending of The Marvels seems to set up Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan's return in 2026's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, given the film's disappointing box office performance, it is likely that these major heroes will need to be reintroduced in the Phase 6 crossover film, rather than continuing their narratives from The Marvels. This presents a significant challenge for solidifying their presence in the MCU, especially considering the high expectations for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.

Monica Rambeau using her light-based powers in The Marvels

Challenges of Reintroducing Monica Rambeau

After using her enhanced abilities to seal a hole in the universe, Monica Rambeau finds herself trapped in an alternate reality at the end of The Marvels. The post-credits scene reveals her presence in a universe inhabited by mutants and the X-Men, which is expected to be a crucial plot element in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, the film's limited theatrical audience means that these narrative points may need to be repeated or clarified for viewers who haven't seen The Marvels.

Kamala Khan at home in The Marvels

The reintroduction of Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan in upcoming MCU projects poses a unique challenge due to The Marvels' underwhelming box office performance. Marvel Studios will need to find creative ways to reintroduce these characters and their storylines to ensure a seamless transition into the highly anticipated Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.

Monica Rambeau becoming Photon in The Marvels