Reconciliation of the Tesseract's Timeline in Marvel Cinematic Universe

Often, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) find themselves tangled in the intricate plotlines of the various films. One such confusion arises from the timeline of the Tesseract, the Space Stone manifested in the form of a mysterious cube. Especially when faced with the backdrop of Captain Marvel and Captain America: The First Avenger, some questions about the stone's location and condition arise. Does Captain Marvel entail a scenario where Carol Danvers told Nick Fury to hide the Tesseract on Earth contradict the events of Captain America: The First Avenger?

The Tesseract's Historical Journey

First, let us explore the timeline and whereabouts of the Tesseract. The Tesseract has a complex, convoluted history that has spanned across multiple decades. Found during World War II by the nefarious group, HYDRA, and the Red Skull, the Tesseract was utilized in the creation of weapons. After the defeat of the Red Skull, Captain America crashed the plane with the Tesseract into the ocean, seemingly to keep it away from harm. After the plane crash, Howard Stark and the government of the United States retrieved the Tesseract, and it came under the control of S.H.I.E.L.D. during the 1970s. The Tesseract remained locked away until the events of Avengers: Endgame, where it was once again stolen from New York, only to be returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. by Captain America.

Captain Marvel's Involvement

In Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, or Captain Marvel, is a member of a Kree branch that is loaning the Tesseract to Earth for a mission. It is revealed that Mar-Vell, a Kree scientist and infiltrator, had been using the Tesseract to work on high-speed interstellar travel during the 1990s. Despite Danvers' trust in S.H.I.E.L.D., the Tesseract was once again safeguarded, ensuring its existence on Earth until the events of the broader Avengers narrative.

The Role of Nick Fury

Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., is not privy to every detail of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations. For instance, when briefing Captain America about the Tesseract, Fury simply informed Steve that Howard Stark had hauled it out of the ocean, which is factually correct. Fury often does not share all the information he knows, but his intentions are clear in retaining control of the stone.

Hydra's Connection and the Post-Endgame Timeline

Since the Tesseract remained under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control, Hydra's connection to the stone is often obscured. The Tesseract stayed out of sight for nearly three decades, until the events of Avengers: Endgame. At some point in the 1990s, a Kree warrior, Mar-Vell, who had a vested interest in the stone for propulsion technology, began her studies on the Tesseract. This led to Yon-Rogg's attack and the explosion that gave Carol Danvers her powers. Eventually, Nick Fury was entrusted with the Tesseract, and it was seen in the post-credits scene of Thor where Fury sought Dr. Eric Selvig's assistance in studying the Stone again.

By understanding the intricate timeline and the various entities involved, we can reconcile the apparent contradictions among the film's content. The Tesseract, while on Earth for extended periods, always remained under the control of S.H.I.E.L.D. or, indirectly, HYDRA, ensuring the stone's continued existence on Earth until it played a critical role in the broader Marvel narrative.

In conclusion, the timeline and the roles of S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain Marvel, and Howard Stark all support a cohesive narrative where the Tesseract is securely managed for the benefit of the Earth. Changes in possession or utilization, like that suggested in Captain Marvel, fall within the larger and convoluted history of the stone. This detailed timeline showcases the complexities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and highlights how different narratives interplay with and influence each other.