The latest updates on the MCU, particularly related to the X-Men, have left me feeling quite optimistic for a certain hero introduced in Phase 5. Recently, Kelsey Grammer, who made a surprise appearance in the post-credits scene of The Marvels, hinted at the possibility of reprising his role as Hank McCoy, also known as Beast. This has sparked hopes that Monica Rambeau could soon join him in the MCU.
Despite The Marvels not performing well at the box office, I found it to be a surprisingly entertaining film. It did an excellent job of advancing Captain Marvel’s storyline, while also giving significant screen time to Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan. The film’s narrative is intertwined with the larger Multiverse Saga, as showcased in its post-credits scene, which sees Rambeau inadvertently trapped in an alternate universe full of X-Men characters.
Grammer’s return as Beast was an unexpected delight for fans. Prior to this, I had felt disappointed that his character was underdeveloped before being replaced by Nicholas Hoult for the reboot in X-Men: First Class. The excitement surrounding Beast’s cameo has raised questions about Monica Rambeau’s future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially since her fate remains uncertain even after nearly a year following the film’s release.
Towards the end of The Marvels, the villain Dar-Benn acquires Quantum Bands that wreak havoc on the universe, leading to Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel energizing Monica to close a rift, unintentionally trapping her on the other side. Fortunately, she encounters a version of her mother, who has assumed the cosmic identity of Binary, alongside the familiar face of Beast. This raises speculation that she may find herself in Fox’s X-Men Universe.
While The Marvels did not garner favorable box office results, this has not dampened my enthusiasm for Monica’s narrative. Kelsey Grammer has recently disclosed he has had “some conversations” with Marvel Studios regarding further appearances as Beast, which provides a glimmer of hope for the future of Rambeau’s character as well. Such discussions don’t guarantee a return but suggest the potential exploration of her storyline.
The prospect of Beast taking center stage in the MCU makes me optimistic for Teyonah Parris’ return as Monica Rambeau. Given the connections that could be explored with the alternate universe established in The Marvels, Rambeau’s role might become increasingly significant in upcoming Marvel projects.
Monica Rambeau is one of the most intriguing new characters in the MCU. In the comics, her character has a rich history, often acting as a core member and sometimes a leader of the Avengers. Personally, I would love to see her integrated into the Avengers roster following her enhancement in WandaVision. Rambeau’s potential involvement in major future storylines, including Avengers vs. X-Men, was subtly hinted at in The Marvels’ post-credits scene.
Having first joined the Avengers as Captain Marvel in 1982, Monica has the ability to connect the cosmic heroes of the franchise while bridging them to Earth-based heroes like Ms. Marvel. With her demonstrated power, including sealing a rift in the universe, Rambeau stands to be a critical asset for the MCU moving forward.
The Marvels was released on November 10, 2023, and while the film did not meet expectations in terms of box office revenue, the groundwork laid for future stories is undeniably exciting. As the MCU evolves, the potential for Monica Rambeau’s character to play a pivotal role hangs in the balance, ready to ignite the next chapter in Marvel’s ongoing narrative.