Exclusive: Dermot Mulroney Reveals Epic Secrets of Secret Invasion, President Ritson's Unexpected Transformation & Unbreakable Bond with Nick Fury

Nick Fury and Talos have been working together to stop the Skrull uprising led by Gravik in Secret Invasion. The show has been filled with shocking revelations, such as the death of Maria Hill, the discovery that MCU heroes Everett Ross and James "Rhodey" Rhodes are actually Skrulls, and the revelation that Nick Fury has been secretly married to a Skrull for years. In the fourth episode, Gravik sets his sights on the President of the United States, but Fury manages to foil his plan, though not without great sacrifice. While Fury saves the President, Talos is gravely injured by Gravik, resulting in a transformation back into his Skrull form.

Secret Invasion, a mystery-filled series, is created by Kyle Bradstreet and directed by Ali Selim. The show is loosely based on the Secret Invasion comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Don Cheadle, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, and Dermot Mulroney.

Dermot Mulroney on Secret Invasion

Got cast as the President of the MCU, huh? It's intense because no one is safe in this show. What were your initial thoughts on landing such a significant role?

Dermot Mulroney: The President himself isn't even safe, as we saw in episode 4 last night. It was quite surprising to receive this opportunity. I wish I could say that I earned it through auditions, training with a coach, and hard work, but instead, I was simply fortunate. I received a phone call inviting me to join. As someone who has always watched the Marvel Universe from the sidelines, I often wondered why they hadn't reached out to me before. Finally, they did. And what's even more exciting is the incredible cast I was paired with.

And it's amazing, as you mentioned, how each episode becomes even more gripping and well-crafted than the last. The director, Ali Selim, has skillfully pieced together these episodes, resulting in a viewing experience that feels more like a cohesive movie rather than standalone episodes. It's hard to describe, but the response from viewers has been overwhelmingly positive, and I'm thrilled about that.

Yeah, it truly does. It gives the impression of a live event. Even with the presence of aliens, it still maintains a grounded and intimate feeling. Can you discuss how his directing style enhances Secret Invasion?

Dermot Mulroney: Well, he's incredibly genuine and has a profound depth as a person. I recognized this immediately, and we instantly became close friends, which is incredible. His direction for me was more intricate than it initially appeared because your question suggests that there is a strategic mind behind it all. With me, he guided me in a relaxed manner, allowing Wiley to be precise and subtly steering me towards portraying a truly authentic President and politician with various concerns. He never let it veer into being overly exaggerated or comical.

And when you witness its assembly, you come to the realization that it lacks the essence of extraordinary abilities and instead exudes a strong human presence. Moreover, the astounding revelation is that not all individuals involved are human, and as expected, Earth is once again facing severe and urgent crises. Isn't that right?

Could you provide some insight into President Ritson? Although this character hasn't received much screen time thus far, I suspect that in the upcoming episodes we will have the opportunity to delve deeper into their development.

Dermot Mulroney: I feel incredibly fortunate to have my character intersecting with Don Cheadle's in the Marvel universe. His characters always carry an aura of mystery, don't they? We never fully delve into Rhodey's situation. I don't possess all the details, but I do know that Ritson, Rhodes, and Colonel Rhodes have collaborated closely throughout various administrations.

Their collaboration is quite effective, despite occasional disagreements. It's akin to how things are handled in the White House, at least in my interpretation. That's the approach Ali encouraged me to take - to deliver a grounded performance that accentuates the tension when things go awry.

Do you believe that the President has complete trust in Rhodey, or are you of the opinion that he is aware Rhodey is engaging in unauthorized activities?

Dermot Mulroney: I cannot provide a definitive response to that. It is an excellent question that I currently ponder. It is almost as if, with regret, I would not have been capable of sifting through the vast amount of information in the Marvel universe to come across such a question during my time filming this movie. However, to be truthful, there is some ambiguity in my understanding now. I have come to realize that they have been collaborating for a considerable period, and Rhodey has been a superhero all along.

Does the President have knowledge of this matter or not? As previously mentioned, I apologize for not being familiar with the specific question. However, considering the intricate nature of Secret Invasion, with its multitude of storylines, my own contribution can be perceived as a separate entity. Ultimately, it is up to the filmmaker to incorporate my piece into the overall puzzle.

Were you aware of your character's complete story arc from the beginning or did you gradually learn about it as the scripts were provided to you? And if it was the latter, how did that impact your performance as the story unfolded?

Dermot Mulroney: I received all the scripts simultaneously, with different sections of each script completed. I had a clear understanding of President Ritson's storyline and how it reaches its climax in the sixth episode. However, there are still many aspects that I am unaware of in terms of its connection with other storylines. While most of it is straightforward, there are certain nuances that knowledgeable individuals might find intriguing. We always appreciate that element. Right?

Not having all the answers to the story twists adds to the excitement of waiting for them to be revealed. Even in shows like Hannah, there are lingering questions even after three seasons, which keep the audience captivated. The same can be said for films like Best Friend's Wedding, where viewers find themselves yearning for something more. It's intriguing to see how people are still invested in these unresolved aspects.

As a fan, I appreciate being able to enjoy this anticipation. Not knowing everything that's happening adds an extra layer of intrigue. Now, what aspect of exploring President Ritson excited you the most?

Dermot Mulroney: It was really exciting to sit down with my kids and watch Secret Invasion together. I don't know all the storylines, so it was a great experience. Working closely with Samuel L. Jackson and being a part of important scenes in the storyline is a wonderful opportunity. I don't even know how it all connects, they didn't inform me either. But that's the cool thing about it, everything comes together seamlessly and brilliantly.

Dermot Mulroney: I'm so happy to hear that.

Now, I'm really excited to see President Ritson's interaction with Fury. Can you talk about their dynamic and what we can expect from it?

Dermot Mulroney believes that Ritson, in the beginning of the show, was anticipating Nick Fury to step in, create an advanced missile system, and handle the enemies. This would have been the plan to end the series. This implies that Ritson holds respect for Fury and sees him as an important component in defending the world. Therefore, he would have reached out to him.

These are the circumstances as viewed by Ritson in Secret Invasion. However, his perception changes when he arrives in England and experiences a defeat that he strongly dislikes. This occurs around episode four. After this point, I cannot provide any further information. Nonetheless, it is clear that he has a noticeable reaction to the events in episode four.

Has Nick Fury's reputation within the intelligence community suffered since the blip? Will there be a different dynamic between your character and Fury in the future?

Dermot Mulroney: Well, they will now have a bond, even if it's temporary. The future of my character, Ritson, is uncertain, but he saved my life using every means necessary, including the help of his alien friend, which caused global mistrust and became a major obstacle in the storyline. That's what I have in mind. I hope that storyline isn't fully resolved yet. Perhaps it can be further explored in Secret Invasion, with Ritson, Fury, and the ongoing consequences.

About Secret Invasion

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