Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought some surprising revelations, including a significant betrayal by Iron Man that sets the stage for a potential Civil War. While the MCU's Multiverse Saga has introduced new characters and storylines, it hasn't quite reached the same level of success as the Infinity Saga. However, Phase 5 has planted seeds for future conflicts, including a shocking betrayal that could lead to a larger confrontation.
The Multiverse Saga has delved into the exploration of the MCU's multiverse while also exploring different narratives in various settings. In Phase 5's Secret Invasion TV show, based on the comic event of the same name, a major conflict unfolded on Earth. The reveal that Skrulls had been infiltrating society and had sinister intentions shocked viewers, especially when a beloved MCU character was exposed as a Skrull. This unexpected betrayal has the potential to spark a much larger conflict in the future.
Secret Invasion's Hidden Iron Man Betrayal Sets Up Civil War 2 Perfectly
Rhodey in Skrull captivity in MCU's Secret Invasion - Secret Invasion's Hidden Iron Man Betrayal Sets Up Civil War 2 Perfectly
Rhodey was actually a Skrull named Raava, who was sent to infiltrate and get closer to President Ritson.
In the Secret Invasion storyline, Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) teamed up with Skrull Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) to uncover a conspiracy orchestrated by a group of Skrull rebels led by Gravik (played by Kingsley Ben-Adir). Gravik's plan was to take over Earth by having other Skrulls pretend to be influential humans in key positions worldwide. This invasion extended beyond politicians, as some familiar MCU characters were also revealed to be Skrulls - with the most surprising twist being that Rhodey (played by Don Cheadle) was one of them.
Rhodey was unexpectedly replaced by a Skrull named Raava, who belonged to Gravik's group. Raava was instructed by Gravik to pretend to be Rhodey in order to approach President Ritson and escalate the political tension between the U.S. and Russia. To add to the shock and sadness, it was suggested that Rhodey had actually been a Skrull since the time of Captain America: Civil War. This was hinted at when he was rescued at the end of Secret Invasion, wearing a hospital gown similar to the one from Civil War, following the accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Unfortunately, Rhodey missed out on key moments in the MCU, such as the Battle of Earth and the heartbreaking loss of Tony Stark.
Why Armor Wars Is The MCU's Best Place To Start Civil War 2
This means that Rhodey missed out on major events in the MCU, like the Battle of Wakanda, Thanos' snap, the Time Heist, and the Battle of Earth. The real Rhodey wouldn't have known that his friend Tony Stark sacrificed himself to save the universe. Waking up in a world that has changed politically and personally, losing Tony and having his reputation destroyed would understandably upset Rhodey. Seeking justice could lead to a hero-vs-hero conflict in the MCU, especially with characters standing up for the Skrulls.
Don Cheadle's Rhodey is returning in the MCU's Armor Wars - Why Armor Wars Is The MCU's Best Place To Start Civil War 2
Rhodey will make his next appearance in the upcoming movie Armor Wars. In this film, he will be dealing with Tony Stark's worst nightmare: the possibility of Stark technology falling into the wrong hands. Taking place after the events of Secret Invasion, viewers will see the real Rhodey back in action. With his identity stolen, reputation tarnished, and best friend lost during his abduction, Armor Wars will delve into Rhodey's stance on the Skrull versus Earth conflict. Characters like Captain Marvel and Valkyrie, who support the Skrulls, will add an interesting dynamic to the storyline, potentially leading to a Civil War within the MCU.
Armor Wars presents a great chance for the MCU to lay the groundwork for its second Civil War, without overshadowing the main conflict of the movie. Since Armor Wars does not have a release date yet, there is ample opportunity for the MCU to effectively establish and expand upon this potential conflict, which could be the next major event and lead to a new, epic team-up following the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga.
Editor's P/S:
The article effectively unveils a surprising betrayal that has the potential to ignite a larger conflict within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The reveal of Rhodey being a Skrull infiltrator and his subsequent manipulation to escalate political tensions sets the stage for a potential Civil War-like scenario. The exploration of the Skrull invasion, the impact on Rhodey's character, and the implications for future MCU events are intriguing.
The article highlights the impact of the betrayal on Rhodey's personal journey and his potential role in a future conflict. The upcoming movie, "Armor Wars," is identified as a potential starting point for this conflict, with Rhodey seeking justice and navigating the complex dynamics between humans and Skrulls. The article effectively teases the potential for a captivating storyline that could lead to a new era of team-ups and confrontations within the MCU.
