Season two of Marvel Studios’ What If…? aired at the end of 2023 and was a riot. The show is a colorful, action-packed romp, and its second season gave audiences some fun alternate scenarios for established MCU characters and some fantastic new characters.
The ninth and final episode of season two, “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?” saw a corrupt version of Doctor Strange feeding variants to a machine called the Forge in an attempt to save his lost universe.
Captain Carter and the new character Kahhori – the latter who was introduced in the What If…? episode “What If… Kahhori Reshaped the World?” – stood in his way, and a bunch of MCU variants gave their weapons to Carter to help her fight the deranged sorcerer. One of the weapons was intriguing and spawned a fan theory positing that it may be a particular object from Marvel’s comic books.
The weapon was a sword, which looked suspiciously like the Sword of Might. Carter had previously wielded a similar sword in the first episode of season one, “What If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?” But why is this sword so relevant?
What Is The Sword Of Might?
In Marvel’s comics, the Sword of Might is one of the two items – the other being the Amulet of Might – offered to the potential candidates for the Captain Britain Corps.
Forged in the fires of creation and tempered by the power of the universe, those who choose the sword are said to have chosen the path of violence, with those who prefer the amulet selecting the way of reason.
It’s sometimes known as the Sword of Death, as it’s riddled with dark magic and can consume the wielder, altering them forever. The characters who’ve chosen it in the comics include the Reaver, Albion, and Lionheart.
Although it’s never been named in What If…?, if the sword in question is indeed the Sword of Might, Peggy Carter has effectively become a version of Captain Britain on two occasions in the show.
This scenario has a potential impact on the main Marvel Cinematic Universe.
How Could This Impact The Primary MCU?
Given that most of the other weapons wielded by Captain Carter and Kahhori in “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?” were items already seen in the primary MCU – such as variants of Mjolnir and Hela’s headpiece – it has to be presumed that the Sword of Might is also there.
Its inclusion could have foreshadowed Captain Britain’s coming to the franchise shortly – which would be very cool.
Captain Britain has been rumored to be introduced in the MCU for some time, with the likes of Superman actor Henry Cavill touted for the role.
Who Is Captain Britain?
Captain Britain is a name given to several superheroes in Marvel’s comic books. They’re all British, which should come as no surprise, and have operated across different periods and been members of various teams.
The original and most well-known version of Captain Britain is Brian Braddock. Braddock was a shy and studious young man who became Captain Britain when the laboratory he was working in came under attack. He attempted to get help by escaping on his motorcycle but crashed and severely injured himself.
The wizard Merlyn and his daughter Roma appeared to Braddock and offered him the opportunity to become a superhero. He was given the choice of the Sword of Might or the Amulet of Might. Not believing himself to be a warrior, he chose the amulet and became the noble Captain Britain.
If Captain Britain does come to the primary MCU, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the amulet and sword. It’ll also be intriguing to see which actor takes on the role – though it’s safe to say nobody would complain if the above-mentioned Cavill landed it.
This theory undoubtedly doesn’t prove Captain Britain’s arrival is imminent in the franchise, but it’s exciting to ponder the possibility.
