WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Carmen Sandiego Season 4, now streaming on Netflix.
The fourth and final season of Carmen Sandiego is a decent conclusion for the character after years of scouring the world, stealing relics and foiling V.I.L.E (Villain's International League of Evil). It concludes with Carmen going to meet her estranged mother, Carlotta Valdez, in Argentina, with the rest of her allies now working with A.C.M.E. (Agency to Classify and Monitor Evildoers).
However, with Gina Rodriguez, who voiced Carmen, set to play the criminal mastermind in Netflix's live-action movie, this film doesn't need to start from scratch. In fact, the animated series lays down a great foundation and can act as a prequel for the Crimson Ghost's adventures to come.
In the final moments of the cartoon, Shadowsan, her retired mentor, explains how Carmen transformed from V.I.L.E's Black Sheep into the vigilante known as the Crimson Ghost, turning the scarlet trenchcoat and hat into a symbol, much like Batman. This is best seen when when Paper Star's found tied up and the A.C.M.E. agents look to the rooftops, seeing the shadowy figure of the Crimson Ghost saluting them; although, they don't know who it is. The film can follow this plot point, with Rodriguez's Carmen working with A.C.M.E. to figure out who the other Carmen(s) could be.
It'd also be great to have her partnering with Zack and Ivy again now that they're officially with A.C.M.E., as well agents Julia Argent and Chase Devineaux. She never got to partner with the latter two, so it'd be an ensemble mission, similar to the ones seen in event films like Avengers: Endgame.
As for who could be in the cloak, there are other talented candidates, such as Sonia, another master thief who Carmen turned into a hero. This investigation can also allow Carmen to bring back other powerful, strong women she teamed up with, such as Lupe Peligro or Xifeng. Having Team Carmen off the books and independent of A.C.M.E. would be a good thing, resembling the Bat-family's relationship with the Gotham Police.
This could even be Carmen's final mission, grooming her squad to officially take the reins with a successor. What this would also do is allow her to be a teacher, like Shadowsan was, but this time, she's telling her own story. Plus, her real name could finally be revealed, and Carmen can begin a future beyond heists.
Furthermore, while the show built up meeting Carmen's mom, the audience never got to see her in the series, so this is a perfect way to see that happy ending. A.C.M.E. wondered if Carlotta was also in the heist business, like Dexter Wolfe, Carmen's dad, so there's the option to backtrack into Carmen's past as well, especially since A.C.M.E.'s Chief killed Dex.
With some of V.I.L.E.'s agents still out there, the movie already has antagonists, and heroes could return as well. Given Finn Wolfhard is a major Hollywood sell at the moment, he can reprise his role as Player and maybe even join A.C.M.E. as a prodigy. In short, all the pieces are in place, even if it's simply about Carmen being unable to let go of the Crimson Ghost mantle.
Starring Gina Rodriguez and Finn Wolfhard, all four seasons of Carmen Sandiego are available to stream on Netflix now.