Summary
Secret Invasion's revelation that Rhodey was a Skrull in Avengers: Endgame takes away from the emotional impact of Iron Man's death scene.
Tony died believing that his loyal friend stood by his side, despite the fact that it was actually an imposter Skrull pretending to be Rhodey. The significance of the revelation that Rhodey was a part of the Secret Invasion scheme is somewhat diminished due to the presence of other notable figures like Peter Parker, Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers, and Thor during Tony's final moments.
Ali Selim, the director of Secret Invasion, expressed concerns over potential death threats he might receive after making significant changes to Iron Man's death in Avengers: Endgame. Secret Invasion centered around Nick Fury, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, returning to Earth after years in space to aid Maria Hill and Talos in thwarting a Skrull invasion. The Skrulls' ability to shape-shift allowed them to impersonate various MCU characters, but the revelation that Rhodey had been a Skrull since Captain America: Civil War had the most significant impact and altered fans' perceptions of past events. Selim acknowledged the backlash towards what fans deemed mistakes in Secret Invasion in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He expressed worries about potential death threats due to the implications of Rhodey's Skrull identity on Iron Man's death in Avengers: Endgame, as well as the show's decision to kill off Maria Hill, played by Cobie Smulders, in the first episode.
“I’m worried that I will get death threats because of that, and also because I’m the guy who took out Maria Hill. So I’m actually going into hiding now.”
Did Secret Invasion Ruin The Emotion Of Iron Man's Death?
The death of Iron Man stands as a deeply emotional moment within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, arguably ranking as the most poignant. In Avengers: Endgame, the culmination of Tony Stark's transformative journey unfolds as he evolves from a self-serving individual to a profoundly selfless hero. In a courageous act, he sacrifices his own life to vanquish the formidable Thanos and his legion by utilizing his advanced nanotechnology to seize the Infinity Stones. Through this ultimate sacrifice, Tony Stark saves the entirety of the MCU.
After Tony achieves success, several important characters from his journey join him, while the hero gradually fades away. Rhodey, Tony's closest companion, is the first to arrive at the scene. Gently, the hero touches Tony's head, exchanging a knowing gaze, signifying the end of their journey together. Rhodey remains by Tony's side during his funeral, joined by several other MCU characters.
However, in Avengers: Endgame, Secret Invasion's revelation that Rhodey is a Skrull diminishes the emotional intensity of Tony's death scene. The genuine Rhodey is unaware of his best friend's demise, stripping away the poignant connection between them. Despite this setback, Secret Invasion does not completely ruin the moment. Iron Man's journey in the MCU concludes in a fitting manner, and even if Rhodey was a Skrull, Tony passed away content, believing his loyal friend was present. Additionally, the presence of Peter Parker, Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers, and Thor in the scene helps alleviate the impact of Secret Invasion's reveal about Rhodey.
Source: THR