Summary
President Ritson's declaration of war against all off-world species leads to vigilante violence and the targeting of innocent Skrulls living among humans.
The Sokovia Accords may be reinstated as a result of Ritson's actions. In Captain America: Brave New World, there is a chance for a new President to replace Ritson, which could lead to addressing and potentially eliminating his anti-alien stance, or alternatively, embracing it more.
The Sokovia Accords in the MCU may make a comeback after Secret Invasion, but their chances of success seem unlikely based on past experience. Secret Invasion in Phase 5 brought about significant changes to the MCU, delving not only into the threat posed by rebellious shape-shifting Skrulls but also into the political landscape. One notable addition was Dermot Mulroney's portrayal of United States President Ritson, who became embroiled in the conflict between the Skrull rebellion and Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury. The conclusion of Secret Invasion saw President Ritson declare war against any extraterrestrial beings residing on Earth, hinting at a bleak future for the MCU.
During Secret Invasion, it was revealed that President Ritson had been a target of the Skrull rebellion for some time. Don Cheadle's character, Rhodey, aka War Machine, had been replaced by a Skrull impostor who had risen through the political ranks to become Ritson's aide, quietly shaping his decisions. The eventful storyline witnessed an assassination attempt on Ritson by Skrulls disguised as Russian soldiers. Furthermore, Rhodey exposed the rebellion's establishment of a base on Russian soil, almost pushing Ritson towards triggering a global conflict, bringing the world to the brink of World War III. Fortunately, nuclear war was averted, but Ritson's newfound awareness of dangerous Skrulls living among humanity led to a grim proclamation against all extraterrestrial species.
President Ritson Declaring Aliens Enemy Combatants Can't Last
President Ritson's involvement in Secret Invasion prompted him to initiate a war against all extraterrestrial beings residing on Earth. This decision, unfortunately, sparked a surge of vigilante violence directed towards Skrulls, as individuals mistakenly identified regular humans as Skrull impostors. While the dismantling of the Skrull rebellion was necessary, this broad categorization of extraterrestrial species as threats puts approximately one million innocent Skrulls at risk. Furthermore, Ritson's ruling also endangers various other characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the inhabitants of New Asgard, prominent Avengers, and even Captain Marvel herself.
Consequently, these actions may ignite the revival of the Sokovia Accords. Originating from Marvel Comics' Superhuman Registration Act, the Sokovia Accords were introduced in Captain America: Civil War. This document mandated that every hero disclose their true identities and operate under the supervision of the United Nations. However, not all members of the Avengers were amenable to this arrangement. The implementation of the Sokovia Accords placed heroes like Daredevil and Spider-Man in great peril, as the preservation of their secret identities is crucial. Nonetheless, much like its predecessor, it is anticipated that Ritson's ruling will be relatively short-lived, especially with the forthcoming installment, Captain America: Brave New World, set to witness the appointment of a new President as Ritson's replacement.
Will Captain America 4 Address Ritson's Anti-Alien Sentiment?
Continuing from Secret Invasion, Captain America: Brave New World in Phase 5 will delve deeper into the politics of the MCU. Harrison Ford's General Thaddeus Ross, previously played by the late William Hurt, will be portrayed as the new President, expanding on the exploration of his character. In Captain America: Civil War, Ross supported the Sokovia Accords, but his perspective may have shifted after witnessing the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Consequently, President Ritson's anti-alien declaration could be quickly abandoned. Alternatively, this could serve as an ideal opportunity to introduce mutants into the MCU, aligning more closely with Marvel Comics' Superhuman Registration Act.