Jaw-Dropping Avengers: Endgame Line Hints at Groundbreaking Skrull Twist from 4 Years Ago

Summary

In light of the revelation that Rhodey is a Skrull, his intense interrogations of Captain Marvel during Endgame now take on a whole new meaning.

Marvel Studios has not yet confirmed the exact moment when Rhodey was replaced. However, for those interested in uncovering clues, it is recommended to revisit his earlier appearances, potentially indicating that he could have been a Skrull in Avengers: Endgame.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion.

A potential major Skrull revelation in Secret Invasion may have been foreshadowed in a single line from Avengers: Endgame in 2019. The upcoming Phase 5's Secret Invasion is expected to have significant repercussions for the future of the MCU, with twists and turns aplenty. While Gravik and the Skrull rebellion's plot poses a threat to all life on Earth and Nick Fury races against time to find a solution, Secret Invasion also delves deep into themes of paranoia and espionage by exposing various MCU characters as shape-shifting Skrulls. Even a member of the Avengers could have been a Skrull in disguise throughout their previous appearances in the MCU.

Episode 4 of Secret Invasion, titled "Beloved," unveiled a notable MCU hero as a treacherous shape-shifting villain. Don Cheadle's portrayal of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, also known as War Machine, since Iron Man 2 in 2010, was revealed to be the Skrull imposter Raava, played by Nisha Aaliya, in Secret Invasion. This revelation has sparked speculation about when Rhodey was replaced, suggesting the possibility that he has been a Skrull infiltrating the Avengers for years. While Secret Invasion has yet to provide a definitive answer, a line from Avengers: Endgame hints that Rhodey may have been a Skrull during the MCU's Infinity Saga.

Rhodey Skrull Reveal Sheds New Light On Captain Marvel Confrontation In Endgame

Following her appearance in Captain Marvel's post-credits scene, Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel, joined the Avengers on Earth. In Avengers: Endgame, she assisted them in locating the powerful Thanos. However, the sudden arrival of their new super-powered ally confused Earth's Mightiest Heroes, especially Rhodey. Rhodey questioned her aggressively, demanding to know where she had been all this time. This interaction gains more context in light of the Secret Invasion reveal that Rhodey is a Skrull. As a Skrull, Raava would harbor resentment towards Captain Marvel.

After the events of Captain Marvel in 2019, Nick Fury and Carol Danvers vowed to find a new home across the galaxy for the Skrull refugees residing on Earth. However, thirty years have passed, and they have yet to fulfill their promise. If Rhodey was a Skrull in Avengers: Endgame, it is conceivable that this was the first encounter between Raava and Danvers since the events of Captain Marvel, which took place in 1995. Thus, it is logical for Raava to directly confront the cosmic hero while disguised as War Machine, enabling her to subtly address their unfinished business while maintaining her cover.

Marvel Hasn't Confirmed Yet When Rhodey Was Replaced By Skrulls

Rhodey's outing as a Skrull in Phase 5 of the MCU raises the question of when he was actually replaced. Marvel Studios has yet to provide an answer, but it is possible that Rhodey was replaced before Secret Invasion. Don Cheadle and Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige shed some light on this surprising twist in an interview with Marvel.com. Feige specifically mentioned that he likes the idea of fans revisiting Rhodey's previous appearances and realizing that those were not him. This suggests that Cheadle may have been portraying Rhodey as a Skrull in multiple MCU adventures prior to Secret Invasion. Looking back, Rhodey appeared briefly in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, followed by Avengers: Endgame, Infinity War, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iron Man 3, Iron Man 2, and Iron Man – where he was initially portrayed by Terrence Howard. While Feige does not provide a definitive answer regarding when Rhodey was replaced, it is highly likely that he may have been a Skrull in Avengers: Endgame, making his confrontation with Captain Marvel all the more significant.

A Captain Marvel Cameo In Secret Invasion Could Properly Retcon The Endgame Scene

The series finale of Secret Invasion will be released on July 26, 2023, concluding the series. However, the repercussions of Secret Invasion will be evident in future MCU projects, notably in Marvel Studios' upcoming The Marvels and Armor Wars. It remains uncertain whether any prominent MCU heroes will make a cameo in the finale of Secret Invasion, but with the inclusion of the "Harvest," a collection of Avengers' DNA obtained after the events of Endgame, there is a possibility that heroes like Captain Marvel may appear. This could potentially resolve any lingering issues between Danvers and Rhodey while also providing further clarity on Rhodey's encounter with Captain Marvel in Endgame.

New episodes of Secret Invasion are released every Wednesday on Disney+.