Marvel Failing Sharon Carter Is A part of a A lot Greater Drawback within the MCU — and It is Solely Getting Worse

March 22, 2025

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For sure, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has not been form to its interpretation of the mainstay comedian character, Sharon Carter. It is disappointing that the longtime love curiosity of Captain America and elite agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. is marginalized all through the MCU, regardless of a powerful efficiency from actor Emily VanVamp. It is time to try how Marvel Studios has in the end failed Sharon Carter, which exemplifies an more and more frequent downside within the MCU.

Sharon Carter’s Position Was Sidelined within the MCU

Emily Vancamp as Sharon Carter during a S.H.I.E.L.D. meeting in 'Captain America: Winter Soldier.' — Picture by way of Marvel Studios

Sharon Carter has served because the longtime love curiosity of Captain America, together with being a spy and agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. since her debut in Tales of Suspense #75. Sadly, the character has been fully underused all through her MCU tenure regardless of a stellar efficiency from VanCamp. When VanCamp was launched as Sharon Carter in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it was said that her half was a small introduction, and sooner or later, the character would obtain a much bigger function with higher emphasis and growth. That made sense, contemplating Sharon is commonly depicted because the one real love of Steve Rogers within the comics. Sadly, one thing else acquired in the best way of these plans. Particularly, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell).

For higher or worse, the MCU shifted focus to Captain America (Chris Evans) and his romantic connection to Peggy Carter. Atwell delivered an extremely likable, charismatic efficiency as Peggy Carter, and she or he displayed nice chemistry with Evans. Sadly, the MCU continued drawing Steve and Peggy again collectively, quite than permitting Steve to maneuver on along with his life and discover another person, akin to Sharon. Steve and Sharon did take pleasure in a romantic kiss in Captain America: Civil Conflict, however that was the extent of their romantic growth. Then, issues solely acquired worse for Sharon.

‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Betrayed Sharon Carter

the-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-emily-vancamp — Picture by way of Disney+

Sharon Carter would lastly make her long-awaited MCU return within the 2021 miniseries, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The collection revealed that Sharon has been on the run and a fugitive of justice for the reason that occasions of Civil Conflict, and was branded a traitor by her personal nation. Later, it is found that Sharon is the Energy Dealer, a shadowy arms supplier and felony working out of Madripoor, and the mastermind behind the brand new (and unlawful) Tremendous Soldier serum. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) by no means notice Sharon’s true id, and she or he is exonerated on the finish of the present, planning to proceed her felony actions. This was a whole and utter betrayal of Sharon as a personality.

Though Sharon has gone rogue and been on the run earlier than, she by no means turned an outright supervillain. Certainly, this might not have been Sharon Carter. Possibly she was changed by a Skrull in some unspecified time in the future, which might be revealed within the later miniseries, Secret Invasion? That might clarify every part, proper? Improper. Secret Invasion got here and went with out any Sharon Carter revelation, nor did the character pop up in Captain America: Courageous New World. A number of years have handed with radio silence on Sharon Carter. This signifies a rising downside with different characters within the MCU as properly.

The MCU Introduces Promising Characters and Then Fully Forgets About Them

The introduction of characters and lack of future growth is vastly spreading all through the MCU. The character of Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) was efficiently launched in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Though the movie was a important and business success, Marvel has but to disclose any official plans for a Shang-Chi sequel or return. That being mentioned, based on Shang-Chi star Liu, a Shang-Chi 2 remains to be within the works. The actor defined in an interview, “A number of it’s above my pay grade, however it’s undoubtedly occurring. So simply very excited to type of work on it, and it is going to be superb. I actually cannot say something past that.” Marvel delivered a brand new franchise and character that enthused moviegoers, and but, Shang-Chi has been MIA for nearly 4 years. Liu seems assured {that a} Shang-Chi sequel remains to be occurring, so hopefully these plans will turn into clearer later this summer time when San Diego Comedian-Con comes round.

Moreover, the place are Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac) and She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany)? Kevin Feige introduced the Moon Knight and She-Hulk: Legal professional at Legislation exhibits at the 2019 D23 Expo with the said intention of introducing them via their exhibits and later bringing them into the larger MCU movies, akin to the Avengers sequels. Nevertheless, Marvel did not observe up on these characters. Throughout a current interview with ComicBook, Marvel Tv government Brad Winderbaum confirmed that Moon Knight Season 2 shouldn’t be occurring, however he did state, “There are plans for Moon Knight down the highway.” Whereas it is actually good to listen to that Marvel Studios has plans for Moon Knight, the present debuted on Disney+ almost three years in the past, and there was no motion on Moon Knight for the reason that present concluded.

Custom Image of Tatiana Maslany as She-Hulk against a colorful green, red, and purple background

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Marvel Studios has been equally mum concerning the way forward for Maslany’s She-Hulk, with a Season 2 of her collection being not possible, based on Maslany herself whereas talking to Codenames Stay! in January 2024. Maslany mentioned about a She-Hulk Season 2 on the time, “I do not suppose so. I feel we blew our funds, and Disney was like, ‘No, thanks.'” Simply because She-Hulk will not be getting a second season of her collection does not imply she will by no means seem once more within the MCU, and Marvel Studios ought to take into account these alternatives for the above-mentioned characters. It is imprudent to introduce robust characters into the MCU, solely to depart them on the shelf, amassing mud. It additionally suggests their introductions and integration into the broader MCU weren’t properly thought out earlier than their Disney+ exhibits had been launched.

Different fascinating characters who’ve seemingly been misplaced within the shuffle by Marvel Studios are MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman) and the Skrull refugee, G’iah (Emilia Clarke), from Secret Invasion. The collection ended with Falsworth recruiting G’iah into MI6, probably hinting at a future spin-off or collection for the characters. There’s since been no replace on any plans or whereabouts for his or her characters within the MCU. It will be an utter disgrace and waste if such nice abilities by no means get to seem once more and play within the MCU sandbox. Casting Clarke in a task akin to G’iah feels fairly random within the first place. A performer of Clarke’s caliber would’ve been higher suited to play a extra outstanding and vital determine within the Marvel Universe, akin to S.W.O.R.D. Director Abigail Model, Black Cat/Felicia Hardy for the Spider-Man franchise, or somebody from Marvel’s Merry Band of Mutants, higher often known as the X-Males. Marvel Studios’ failure to have a bigger function or prolonged plan in thoughts for a expertise akin to Clarke is a significant oversight, very similar to the failure to determine what to do with VanCamp’s Sharon Carter.

Sadly, it’s unknown when Sharon Carter, Shang-Chi, and the opposite aforementioned characters will make their extremely anticipated MCU returns. Hopefully, the creatives in cost at Marvel Studios can determine one thing for these characters eventually and restore the harm. Maybe the subsequent upcoming Marvel Studios launch, Thunderbolts*, will supply extra perception into what’s occurring with Sharon Carter.