Will Carol Danvers Overtake Thor in Power Levels?

The upcoming Carol Danvers solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has sparked a lot of speculation among fans. Kevin Feige, along with directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, have hinted that Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) will be the strongest hero in the MCU, at least to date. This raises the question: will Carol Danvers ultimately outshine Thor, or will they remain on roughly equal footing?

Power Dynamics of Carol Danvers vs. Thor

Carol Danvers' power lies in her ability to absorb any type of radiation energy and shoot it back. This unique attribute puts her slightly above Thor in terms of raw power. However, Thor, as a well-developed character with his own rich storyline, has had numerous opportunities to showcase his growth and power progression over the last decade. In Thor: Ragnarok, for example, Thor endured a significant loss, which contributed to his dramatic transformation and the awe-inspiring speed of his weapon, Stormbreaker, in the Avengers: Endgame finale.

Kevin Feige has been unequivocal in stating that Carol Danvers will be the strongest hero in the MCU. This is a significant statement, but it should be contextualized within the history of the MCU. Power levels of characters in the MCU have consistently increased as the series progresses. For instance, the current Thor is far more powerful than he was in his first solo film. Similarly, Iron Man, Hulk, Scarlet Witch, and even Tony Stark's armor have all seen considerable enhancements.

Given this trajectory, it's unlikely that Carol Danvers will be considered the most powerful hero in her debut solo movie. She will likely grow in power over several films, much like Tony Stark went through significant improvements in his technology and weaponry.

Comparative Analysis

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the directors of Captain Marvel, have stated that Danvers' powers will be of such magnitude that they can move planets. This assertion, if true, would certainly place Carol Danvers at the top of the power hierarchy in the MCU. However, such statements must also be balanced against the knowledge that her movie is only a few months away, and the true extent of her powers and abilities may not yet be fully realized.

Another pertinent point is the commensurate growth of other superheroes throughout the MCU series. Vision, for instance, was a significant force in Avengers: Endgame, yet he was bested by Thanos, a cosmic entity. This suggests that even highly advanced and powered characters must develop further to achieve dominance. The same principle applies to Carol Danvers, who, at this point, is not expected to overshadow all other Avengers characters in her first solo film.

Conclusion

While Kevin Feige and other key figures in the MCU have provided strong indications that Carol Danvers will be the strongest hero, it's essential to recognize that her ultimate power level is yet to be fully realized. Her journey, akin to that of Iron Man (i.e., Mark 46 vs Mark 51), will likely unfold gradually over multiple films. At present, Carol Danvers is expected to be below par compared to Thor, who has a valuable history of character development and power progression.