While the cold war between Marvel and DC film franchises has been largely a fan creation, there is no doubt that both studios want the bragging rights of bringing the first female solo superhero movie to theaters. (Or more accurately, the first that doesn't flop like Catwoman or Elektra.) For DC, this will unquestionably be the iconic Wonder Woman, and they've already made concrete steps toward that goal. In interviews, Marvel's Kevin Fiege has been much less eager to commit, but seems recently to be raising the specter of Carol Danvers... Captain Marvel.
Carol has had a long and complicated history in the comics. She has been portrayed as a pretty standard sidekick-in-distress turned distaff counterpart for the original Captain Marvel in the 1970's. In the 80's and 90's, she went through many widely differing incarnations, ultimately becoming a strong central character with her own solo title. She is somewhat difficult to define, at times aggressive and severe, but at other times sassy and playful.
It seems most fans tend to be of two minds when thinking about actors to play Carol: Yvonne Strahovski or Katee Sackhoff. While both have extensive television careers and are capable performers, I'm not confident either is capable of shouldering an entire film franchise on her own. And while I have no doubt a Captain Marvel movie will incorporate the sort of military background Strahovski and Sackhoff have portrayed in the past, I think the most appealing aspect of the character is the sense of exhilaration and empowerment she feels from being an invulnerable one-woman army. At her best, Carol is equal parts melodrama and lighthearted power fantasy. That's a tall order for any actor, but here are three I think could be up to it.
Amber Heard
In some respects Captain Marvel is the modern-day Captain America. While Steve Rogers was the face of American resolve in opposition to the Axis Powers, Carol is the face of human resolve in opposition to various extraterrestrial threats. If you need someone that can be “America's Superpowered Sweetheart”, no one looks the part more than Amber Heard. In her late-20's, she's a strong screen presence with a wide variety of roles under her belt. Even though she's a familiar face, she hasn't had that singular breakout role that would define (and potentially limit) her to the mainstream movie-going audience. She also has a personal connection to Disney-favorite (and possible Dr. Strange front-runner) Johnny Depp.
Alice Eve
Whatever you thought of Star Trek: Into Darkness, the immensely talented Alice Eve was wasted in it. The role of Carol Markus in the film can be reduced to a mediocre identity twist and a gratuitous peek-a-boo shot. Eve has the acting chops to handle anything Marvel's writers throw at her, and who ever said Carol Danvers has to be a Captain in the United States Air Force? Even with a Black Panther film likely in the next few years, the Avengers could use a little more geographic diversity, and we're not likely to get a Captain Britain movie anytime soon.
Margot Robbie
This one caught me by surprise when I thought of it, but after a few minutes, she became my personal favorite. If not for her recent role in the Wolf of Wall Street, I'm sure most people would have no idea who this is. (Okay, guilty, I would have no idea.) She's a dark horse if there's ever been one. She's also very young to be burdened with leading a solo female superhero film, but in my opinion, she absolutely crackles on screen and in interviews. In the past, Marvel has gambled on relative-unknowns like Chris Hemsworth, but this would be a true Hail Mary. Even so, she is a very fresh face in a film series that's starting to skew decidedly older and established with actors like Michael Douglas, Paul Rudd, and a likely mid-lifer as Dr. Strange.
With the first stringers like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans nearing the ends of their contracts, the MCU is going to need compelling central characters to anchor the megafranchise. Undoubtedly, Paul Rudd's Ant-Man and a To-Be-Cast Dr. Strange will be major players, but could Captain Marvel be the Iron Man of Phase 4 and beyond? What do you think and who do you like for the role?