Phyla-Vell’s Controversial MCU Introduction: A Child Captain Marvel?

Meet Phyla-Vell, The Latest Captain Marvel In The MCU, As Introduced In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.

By Amitabh Mukherji
May 4,2023
Featured Image

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has introduced yet another Captain Marvel mantle holder from the comics. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, set to be released soon, will feature Phyla-Vell, a prominent member of the Guardians in the comics.

Phyla-Vell’s Origin

Phyla-Vell

In the comics, Phyla-Vell is the daughter of Mar-Vell and Elysius, and she held the moniker of Captain Marvel alongside her brother, Genis. However, due to the significant changes made to Mar-Vell in the MCU, the possibility of her having that title on screen is unlikely.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary creates Phyla – played by child actress Kai Zen – as one of many attempts at the “perfect” species. According to the High Evolutionary, she and her kind are supposedly engineered to require little sleep, exert barely any energy, and be perpetually happy.

Phyla’s Future In The MCU

Phyla-Vell

The post-credits scene of Vol. 3 revealed a new team of Guardians that would continue to protect the galaxy, with Phyla being one of them. She’s even shown to seemingly have some of her powers from the comics if her glowing fists are anything to go by.

Although some fans may be disappointed that another prominent LGBTQIA+ character from the comics has been adapted into a child, there’s a chance that it could be only temporary. Like her brother, Genis, Phyla was a test-tube baby made by her mother, Elysius, using Mar-Vell’s genetic structure and artificially aged to maturity.

It’s possible that the High Evolutionary integrated this same kind of artificial aging into her species, which hopefully means she’ll quickly become an adult when audiences see her again. This could even mean the introduction of an adult Genis somewhere on Nowhere is in the cards.