Everything you need to know about 'Captain Marvel': Empowerment, the Avengers, Brie Larson and more

The big day is finally here! "Captain Marvel" officially hits theaters nationwide today and with it, millions of young boys and girls will be inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first stand-alone female superhero movie.

And boy is this a big moment for Brie Larson's highly-anticipated film.

In the MCU, Thanos has just accomplished his mission and wiped out half the universe, leaving Captain Marvel as one of the last hopes.

Plus, this movie comes at the perfect time, where female empowerment and the quest for gender equality is something that is finally taking over the global zeitgeist.

So without further adieu, here's everything you need to know about "Captain Marvel"!

The future certainly is female

As mentioned above, the unstoppable villain Thanos was able to succeed, capturing all six infinity stones and using them to wipe out half the population across the galaxy in last year's "Avengers: Infinity War."

His reason for doing so was to bring piece and harmony to all, even if that means mass genocide, including the likes of Black Panther, Spider-Man and Captain Marvel's good buddy Nick Fury.

But before Fury disappeared from existence, he was able to send a page to Captain Marvel.

Now, rumors have it that she will be a key element if not the key in defeating Thanos and bringing those erased back into existence.

Just how remains to be seen, but it's certainly no coincidence that this movie comes out just a month before "Avengers: Endgame," where we will get to see how this story-line all works out.

Also, Chris Evans has already said this is his last Marvel film, so next month's "Avengers" could not only mean the demise of Captain America, but we might see the deaths or retirements of several key superheros.

This could open the door for a new leader (cough cough) much like Larson's Marvel was in the books.

Representation absolutely matters

Much like "Wonder Woman" two years ago and "Black Panther" last year, "Captain Marvel" is sure to excite and inspire.

The #CaptainMarvelChallenge has been very successful on GoFundMe, much like the same challenge before it for "Panther."

The goal is to send young girls to the movie so that they can "have an opportunity to see women in roles they can aspire to one day be, roles that show women as strong, smart and bold. From a teacher to a fighter pilot -— or a superhero. This is an opportunity to continue to empower girls to be just that," according to the fundraiser.

In just one month, the campaign has tripled it's goal and raised more than $60,000.

GoFundMe teamed up with Girls Inc. LA and We Have Stories, so that young girls from all walks of life could see this "type of important representation."

This storyline doesn't focus on a damsel in distress and Captain Marvel doesn't rely on any man for reassurance or protection. In fact, it's been said that she's the most powerful hero in the Marvel Universe, can time travel, shoots energy blasts out of her hands, flies and ... what else do you want?

It's a game-changing film that should leave kids of all ages, races and genders jumping out of their seats in excitement.

Larson is the perfect actress to take on this immense role

Already an outspoken activist and leader in the equality community, Larson hasn't taken this amazing opportunity lightly.

While appearing on "GMA" this week, Larson explained that Carrie Fisher's iconic turn as Princess Leia really inspired her as a kid.

Now, she also wants to inspire young girls to play roles that cast them as equals opposite men.

"[Captain Marvel is] so inspiring and incredible and so to have the opportunity to play a role like this is amazing and I hope just a little bit of her amazingness and strength can rub off onto me," the actress told "GMA."

And the impact can already be seen, as little girls dressed up as Captain Marvel last month at the London film premiere.

While on the carpet, Larson signed 8-year-old Illie's comic. Larson shared a snap of the special moment on her own social account, captioning the image, "I did it for you, superstar."

The look on the young girl's face is exactly why this film is so important.

Everything else you need to know

Larson stars alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the film, as he reprises his role as Nick Fury, though this film is set in the 1990's, well before the events of any "Avengers" film. That means Fury is sans eye patch and classic leather jacket.

Larson's Carol Danvers crashes down to Earth and though she is a warrior from the Kree race, ancient aliens and noble heroes, she starts to remember a life before she became the captain.

Jude Law and Ben Mendelsohn are also featured, Mendelsohn playing the villainous Skrull leader, with the Kree-Skrull war spilling over to Earth.

And finally we have Annette Bening, who takes on the role of Supreme Intelligence. In the comics, Supreme Intelligence is created from the minds of the wisest Kree and guides the alien race in a God-like way.

Got all that? Well, then you're ready to see "Captain Marvel"!

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