Maximize Your Marvel Knowledge: Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Secret Invasion Storyline

Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion, set to release on Disney+, is an upcoming MCU series that fans have been eagerly anticipating. The series will focus on Nick Fury, the former Director of SHIELD, and Talos, the leader of the Skrulls, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, respectively. This espionage thriller, part of Phase 5, will delve into the history of the MCU and continue various storylines.

The six-episode series revolves around Nick Fury's investigation of a group of rebellious Skrulls who have been living on Earth since the 1990s. These Skrulls had hoped that Fury, Talos, and Captain Marvel would find them a new home. Secret Invasion will not only feature Jackson and Mendelsohn but also an impressive ensemble cast including Don Cheadle, Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Martin Freeman. This crossover event is expected to have a lasting impact on the MCU. Before diving into Secret Invasion, here are the key details to remember.

12 SHIELD Disbanded In Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Nick Fury, the Director of SHIELD in Phase 1 of the MCU, was instrumental in the formation of the Avengers. Initially, SHIELD was an intelligence organization with the responsibility of upholding national and global security. However, over time, their focus shifted towards dealing with superhuman individuals and mystical threats. The dissolution of SHIELD occurred in Captain America: The Winter Soldier when it was discovered that HYDRA had infiltrated the organization for many years. This revelation led to the shutdown of SHIELD and prompted Fury to go into hiding. His disappearance will undoubtedly have a significant impact on his character development in the upcoming Secret Invasion​​​​​​​.

11 Maria Hill & Nick Fury Were Killed By Thanos

Secret Invasion takes place in the present-day Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and directly addresses the aftermath of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Following their disappearance in Infinity War, Nick Fury and Maria Hill, played by Cobie Smulders, were brought back to life by Smart Hulk five years later. The impact of being absent for five years significantly influences Fury's decision-making in Secret Invasion, as he must now be more vigilant against hidden threats compared to before the Snap. Both Fury and Maria Hill must navigate a world that has drastically changed from the one they knew, while also grappling with the emotional toll of losing five years.

10 Nick Fury Was Off-World For More Than A Year

Although Fury was present at Tony Stark's funeral in Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home's post-credits scene unveiled that Fury had actually been residing on a space station, with Talos assuming his identity during the battle against Mysterio. Spider-Man: No Way Home confirmed that the Department of Damage Control was aware of Fury's absence from Earth for over a year. However, the exact duration of Talos posing as Fury has not been officially confirmed. Some theories propose that the switch may have occurred as early as Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Nonetheless, Secret Invasion is poised to provide answers as Fury is set to make his return to Earth.

9 The Skrulls Aren't Villains In The MCU

In the Marvel Comics universe, the Skrulls have traditionally been portrayed as a fierce and warlike species, engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Kree for countless centuries. Additionally, they have frequently set their sights on Earth as a potential new home. However, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the backstory of the Skrulls was altered. Captain Marvel introduced a different perspective, revealing that the Skrulls were not inherently evil but rather peaceful allies to humanity who were simply searching for a new place to call home. This crucial distinction becomes significant in the context of Secret Invasion, as it implies that the rebellion initiated by a faction of Skrulls on Earth may not represent the collective viewpoint of the entire Skrull population. Instead, it could be attributed solely to the actions of Gravik, portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir.

8 Captain Marvel Was Searching For A New Home For The Skrulls

As well as introducing the Skrulls, Captain Marvel in 2019 also marked the debut of Brie Larson as Carol Danvers. Danvers, a human who had gained extraordinary powers from the Tesseract (also known as the Space Stone) and a Kree blood transfusion, eventually turned against her Kree superiors when she discovered that the Skrulls were actually her allies. Her mission was to find a new home for the Skrulls, but it appears that she was unsuccessful, as the Skrull rebellion in Secret Invasion is triggered by their inability to relocate. This leaves us wondering about Captain Marvel's activities during her time in space, which may potentially be addressed in the upcoming film, The Marvels, set to release in 2023.

7 Talos' Family Was Introduced In Captain Marvel

In Captain Marvel, Talos emerged as the leader of the remaining Skrulls who were desperately searching for a way to reunite with his family aboard Mar-Vell's spaceship. This significant debut also introduced Soren, Talos' wife, and G'iah, his daughter. Considering the events of Captain Marvel took place in 1995, and Secret Invasion is set in the MCU's present-day (around 2024/25), it is evident that thirty years have elapsed, making G'iah an adult now. Emilia Clarke has been cast to portray G'iah in Secret Invasion, debunking previous speculations that she would be playing SWORD's Abigail Brand. G'iah is expected to join Gravik's rebellion, putting her relationship with her father to the test.

6 Everett Ross Is A Fugitive

Martin Freeman is reprising his role as Everett K. Ross in Secret Invasion, following his appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Ross, a former CIA Agent and Deputy Task Force Commander at the Joint Counter-Terrorist Center, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Sokovia Accords. However, in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ross was arrested after his ex-wife, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, discovered his secret communications with the Wakandans. Freed from captivity by Okoye (played by Danai Gurira) in her new Midnight Angel persona in Wakanda Forever, Ross now finds himself a fugitive in Secret Invasion.

Marvel Studios will be taking a more grounded approach in adapting elements of the Secret Invasion storyline for the MCU. Unlike the 2008-09 event, none of the MCU's Avengers will be involved in the Secret Invasion. This is especially significant considering the unclear status of the team throughout Phases 4 and 5. It appears that the formation of the MCU's New Avengers team will not occur until 2026's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. As a result, Nick Fury will have to confront the Skrull threat without his super-powered allies.

4 MCU's Politics Have Changed Dramatically

Politics have often played a significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with examples including the introduction of the Sokovia Accords in Civil War and the presence of political corruption in Iron Man 3. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also delved into this aspect of the MCU, revealing Valentina as the Director of the CIA and highlighting the world's governments' desire for Wakanda's valuable vibranium resources. The upcoming series Secret Invasion will further explore this theme by introducing Dermot Mulroney as President Ritson. However, his time in office may be short-lived, as Harrison Ford is set to portray President Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, taking over the role previously held by the late William Hurt.

The concept of corruption and enigmatic dealings within the government align perfectly with the espionage themes of Secret Invasion. One notable MCU hero who has consistently intertwined with both the superhero life and governmental positions is Don Cheadle's James "Rhodey" Rhodes. Rhodey assumed the mantle of War Machine in Iron Man 2, was later dubbed Iron Patriot by President Ellis in Iron Man 3, and ultimately stood with the government during the events of Captain America: Civil War, a choice that ultimately resulted in the loss of his ability to walk. While Cheadle made a brief appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, his character is slated to play a much more prominent role, working closely alongside President Ritson in Secret Invasion.

2 The Department Of Damage Control Were Dangerous In Ms. Marvel

Trailers for Secret Invasion have revealed that the Department of Damage Control will play a mysterious role in the upcoming series. Introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming, the DODC was established by Tony Stark to handle the aftermath of the Battle of New York. Although they were largely overlooked in subsequent projects, Phase 4 has brought Damage Control back into focus, featuring them in Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. However, it appears that they have taken on a more sinister and antagonistic stance, displaying a significant bias against individuals with superpowers, which could be crucial to the plot of Secret Invasion​​​​​​​.

1 Nick Fury Is Presumed Dead In The MCU

Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury will take center stage in the storyline of Secret Invasion, addressing the fact that he has been in hiding since being presumed deceased in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While Fury has been operating in the shadows, only making brief appearances in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Infinity War, and Spider-Man: Far From Home, his return in Secret Invasion will be a significant one. However, making his survival widely known in the MCU poses a potential risk for Fury. In order to defeat the Skrull rebellion in Secret Invasion, he will have to reconnect with old contacts who were familiar with him prior to his supposed demise.