The Marvels is now playing in theaters and while it doesn't look like the Captain Marvel sequel will make the biggest impact at the box office, it should be a must-see for MCU fans. And for X-Men fans? It's essential viewing.
During the movie's final act, we learn that Dar-Benn is using her Quantum Band to steal valuable resources from planets Carol Danvers has ties to. Doing so will breathe new life into Hala, a planet which fell into ruin amid a civil war which followed Captain Marvel's destruction of the Supreme Intelligence.
Using jump points to enact her dastardly plan, the Kree leader eventually steals Ms. Marvel's bangle but is so overwhelmed by the power, she inadvertently tears a hole in the Multiverse before being obliterated.
Monica Rambeau realises she can use her powers to close that doorway, but only from the other side. Carol tries and fails to save her niece, but is too slow, and Photon (who, oddly, is never given that codename) is left stranded. As for Hala, Captain Marvel saves the planet by using her immense powers to reignite the planet's sun.
Back on Earth, the Khan family helps Carol move into Maria's old home and Nick Fury returns to S.A.B.E.R. to watch over Earth. Kamala and Carol sit in Maria's old plane and Cap makes it clear that she's waiting until its new owner, Monica, makes it home before taking flight again.
With that, we learn Kamala has been using Monica's S.A.B.E.R. data pad to track down her fellow young heroes. She starts with Kate Bishop - who points out she's 23 - and in a fun nod to Iron Man's post-credits scene, Ms. Marvel gives her a whole spiel (mentioning that Ant-Man has a daughter) before Hawkeye seemingly agrees to join her team with a smile.
In the mid-credits scene, Monica wakes up in a hospital bed and finds her mom staring back at her. She's initially overwhelmed with happiness, but it's then the doctor walks in: Kelsey Grammer's Beast. The comic-accurate take on the hero confirms she's in a universe parallel to her own - noting it should be impossible - and leaves right after telling Maria that Charles (a.k.a. Professor X) is waiting for an update.
He refers to her as Binary and, when she stands up, we see her comic-accurate costume in all its glory. After she demands to know who Monica is, the Earth-616 hero simply responds, "Oh, sh*t..."
Is this world the same one as the X-Men Universe we spent so many years exploring? Possibly, though it's worth remembering there are now infinite timelines! The surroundings are inspired by that franchise, anyway, and we'd be shocked if this isn't a direct lead-in to Deadpool 3. Whether that means Monica will have a role to play there remains to be seen.
As for Binary, the physical manifestation of Captain Marvel's powers did once fight alongside the X-Men so that's obviously where Marvel Studios is taking its inspiration from. However, we don't believe this is Earth-838's Maria as, earlier in the movie, we see Carol tell Earth-616's Maria that it should have been her who became Captain Marvel...perhaps that happened in every other reality?
Regardless, the MCU now has the X-Men in it. These may not be the versions who eventually take centre stage in a reboot, but this CG Beast - wearing his labcoat and trunks and boots which look like they've been lifted straight from the comics - suggests we'll finally see these character portrayed the way they were always meant to be.
Let us know your thoughts and theories in the comments section.