[Infinity War Spoilers] Why *INSERT CHARACTER NAME HERE* DOESN'T *INSERT VERB HERE* and Captain Marvel hasn't been around since the 90s.
A fews thing I've been thinking about:
Why was Rocket the only GOTG to survive?
Where the fuck has Captain Marvel been for the last 20ish world ending scenarios?
I think I can see a scenario that explains both.
I suspect in Captain Marvel Mar-Vel dies trying to save Carol (maybe they have a romance, maybe its just they are just good friends or something hard to say.). This scars her for life and makes her an alcoholic (something that is a big part of the character in the comics). This doesn't gel well with her superman tier power level so Fury views her as even a bigger risk then Hulk. Hence why the pager is a last resort sorta thing.
Now lets look at Rocket's character arc:
GOTG- Learns to care about others and gets a pseudo-family with the Guardians. We learn he has some self-hate and may be a bit of a drunkard based off the Knowhere gambling scene.
GOTG 2- Opens up to Yondu, and learns to be less self-destructive. Yondu dies
Infinity War- He loses the one thing he cares about: the other guardians.
Needless to say both characters experience loss.
Its unlikely that Captain Marvel will be gungho to join a team and will probably initially sit the final battle out. Perhaps Rocket is taking a more "behind the chair" approach to final battle or is using hulk buster tech or something. This could lead to Rocket telling Carol to get over herself,quit being a hardass,and join the fight. Rocket may die trying to save her.
Screenplay benefits:
Would conveniently pay off the short life span joke from GOTG1 and Rocket's arc in the Guardians franchise.
Tying into the "perfect balance thing" Russo Bros seem to be doing with the way they shoot scenes it could give them an excuse to parallel the scene between Yondu and Rocket in GOTG2.
Gives both characters an arc that is simple enough to do in a crowded ensemble piece.
Opens up team slots and character story angles in GOTG3. Especially if Gamora's death sticks
Gives them a potential "make the audience cry" moment when Groot is revived and realizes Rocket isn't there.
Potentially no time travel needed.