Why Didn't Fury Call Captain Marvel for the First Avengers Movie?

Hollywood and the internet have been abuzz with discussions about Captain Marvel's place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A particular question sparks curiosity: if Captain Marvel takes place before the first Avengers movie, then why didn't Nick Fury call for her help when Loki invaded Earth in The Avengers? This article will delve into this mystery and explore the possible reasons behind Fury's actions.

The Role of Captain Marvel in the MCU

As depicted in the end credits of Captain Marvel, it took Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) an undetermined amount of time to return to Earth from her mission. By the time she arrived, the Avengers had already dealt with Loki and his invasion. This scenario raises an interesting point about the strategic decisions behind Fury's choices.

Strategic Considerations

Nick Fury was in the process of forming the new Avengers team when Loki attacked Earth. However, Fury believed that the Avengers, not Captain Marvel, were capable of handling the threat posed by Loki. Here are a few key points:

The Nature of the Threat: Loki was considered an Avengers-level threat, meaning he was a significant but manageable problem for the existing Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. resources. Collateral Damage: The battle in New York caused significant destruction, far from the scale of a Kree spaceship invasion, which required urgent action. Planning Horizon: Marvel tends to plan about 5 years ahead, and Captain Marvel's character was not yet conceived when The Avengers was made in 2012. It wasn't produced until 2019, seven years later.

On-Planet Defense Strategy

According to the Captain Marvel movie, Fury was forming a team to "defend the earth" autonomously. This team was intended to provide immediate local support, which would have been more efficient for smaller-scale threats like Loki's invasion.

Loki was a clear and present danger, and while not entirely unmanageable by the existing Avengers, his army was not a global threat on the scale of an alien invasion requiring interstellar travel. Thus, it made strategic sense for Fury to use the resources available on Earth rather than calling a distant hero.

Lesson from Thanos

Had Thanos invaded Earth, the situation would have been different. The sheer scale and power of Thanos would have necessitated the intervention of a hero with galactic resources, such as Captain Marvel. However, in the case of Loki, the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. resources were deemed sufficient to address the situation.

Despite this, the article suggests Fury didn't have to "put up with Carol's snark." This statement implies that Captain Marvel's character hadn't fully developed as she would in later movies, which could change her demeanor towards Fury.

Conclusion

In summary, Nick Fury's decision not to call Captain Marvel for the first Avengers movie was a strategic choice based on the nature of the threat, the capabilities of the Avengers, and the planning horizon within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The formation of the new Avengers team was part of a longer-term strategy, positioning Captain Marvel as a future key player in the fight against larger, more global threats.