Why Isn’t Captain Marvel Called Captain Marvel in Movies?
The confusion around the name of Marvel’s hero, Captain Marvel, has puzzled many fans. The title of the character, whether it’s in comic books or the movies, has a curious history that is rooted in legal and publishing controversies. This article will delve into why Captain Marvel is not referred to as Captain Marvel in the films and explore the name switch.
Comic Book Originality
In the world of comic books, Captain Marvel retains his original name. The series was created by Fawcett Publications and has always referred to its hero as Captain Marvel. When DC Comics acquired Fawcett in the 1970s, they initially kept the name Captain Marvel for the character, but Marvel Comics had registered the trademark. As a result, DC had to change the character’s name on publications and media, but the original title of the series, Shazam, remained. The name “Captain Marvel” is still used on the covers of the comic books, but internally, the character is still known as Shazam.
Movie Adaptation and Legal Issues
The movie adaptation of Captain Marvel, starring Brie Larson, is titled Shazam due to these legal concerns. The name represents the magic word that the character says to transform. The trailers and promotional materials, like the Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer, refer to the character as Captain Marvel, but this is because of the way the marketing team chose to communicate the character to the general public.
The Source of Shazam
The title “Shazam” is a reference to the character’s power-granting artifact, the Book of Shazam. The book offers power to anyone who recites the invocation, “Shazam!”. This magic word holds the power of the seven ancient and powerful gods: Strength, Might, Meals, Highness, Allocation, Zeal, and Magic.
The Name Evolution and Marvel
M Not only does DC face legal issues, but Marvel also owns the trademark to the name “Captain Marvel.” Therefore, if DC were to use the name, they would be risking a lawsuit. The confusion around the name in movies can also be attributed to the suggestion that in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Captain Marvel might finally drop the title “Shazam” and revert to her original name, Captain Marvel. This hasn’t happened yet, as Carol Danvers has been known as Shazam since the start of the movie series.
Conclusion
The reason Captain Marvel is called Shazam in the movies is complex and involves legal rights and corporate mergers. From the comics, the character is still Captain Marvel, and this is maintained to avoid legal issues. In the future, it might be interesting to see if the character will retain the title “Shazam” or return to her original name.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does Captain Marvel say “Shazam!”? The magic word “Shazam!” is the invocation that transforms the character from a boy to a powerful superhero. This action is similar to the invocations used in stories of ancient characters, like Superman and Wonder Woman.
Who is the mentor that gave Captain Marvel her name in the comics? In the comic books, Captain Marvel’s real name is Carol Danvers, and Mar-Vell, a scientist from Kree, is her mentor. Mar-Vell is the one who teaches Carol about the powers she possesses and calls her Captain Marvel.
Will Captain Marvel revert to her original name in the MCU? While there is speculation that Carol Danvers might be referred to as Captain Marvel in the future, it’s yet to be confirmed. The change in the title would require Marvel and DC to resolve the legal issues surrounding the name.