Mind-Blowing Revelations: Unmasking the True Identity of Rhodey in the MCU

Summary

Evidence from two fan theories refutes the idea that War Machine was substituted by a Skrull in Captain America: Civil War. These theories, coupled with hints from the series, imply that the swap took place following the events of Avengers: Endgame.

The hospital gown and disability apparatus may be attributed to Rhodes' injuries from the Battle of Earth and frequent hospital visits, suggesting that the Skrull replaced Rhodey after the events of Endgame. On the other hand, it is argued that Talos, the Skrull general during that time, would have already recognized if Rhodey was a Skrull, indicating that the substitution occurred after the events of Avengers 4.

The revelation in Secret Invasion that James Rhodes, also known as War Machine, was a Skrull, sparked numerous theories about when he was taken by the Skrulls. However, two fan theories have since debunked the idea that Rhodes was captured shortly after Captain America: Civil War. Despite the similarities between the Disney+ series and the original Marvel Comics storyline, it was the first episode of Secret Invasion that confirmed the Skrull infiltration, with familiar characters such as Everett Ross and Nick Fury being impersonated. While the timing of Rhodes' capture and impersonation was not explicitly revealed in the final episode, fans speculated based on various clues throughout the show. One such clue was the hospital gown Rhodes was seen wearing when he was rescued, leading many MCU fans to believe he had been a Skrull since Captain America: Civil War. However, these theories have been refuted, suggesting that Rhodes' capture actually occurred after the events of Avengers: Endgame.

2 MCU Theories Disprove A Civil War Origin For Skrull Rhodey

According to a theory posted on a subreddit by ForceAccomplished890, the presence of a hospital gown on Rhodey and his inability to walk at the end of Secret Invasion does not necessarily imply that he was replaced during Captain America: Civil War. The theory suggests that all injured Avengers from the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame would have been hospitalized for proper evaluation of their injuries. Additionally, Rhodey's pre-existing disability from Civil War suggests that he regularly visits hospitals for check-ups, indicating that he may have been taken by the Skrulls after Endgame, rather than during the events of Civil War.

The theory also proposes that the Skrull impersonating Rhodey might have simply borrowed his disability apparatus to maintain his cover, as the Skrull general Talos had knowledge of the Skrulls on Earth and could have confirmed if Rhodey was a Skrull before Endgame. This observation is supported by a comment from user jackfaire. Collectively, these two theories challenge the widely-held belief that Rhodes was substituted during Captain America: Civil War, providing more support for the likelihood of it happening after Endgame.

How Secret Invasion Supports A Post-Civil War Rhodey Skrull Replacement

The idea that Rhodey was replaced during Civil War overlooks a crucial plot point in Secret Invasion, which supports the notion that he was actually replaced after Avengers: Endgame. Prior to the five-year Blip, the Skrulls, including Gravik, were still under Fury's command. It was only after Endgame that Fury distanced himself from Earth, leading to Gravik's radicalization and his insurgency among the Skrulls on Earth. Therefore, it is more logical to believe that Rhodey was replaced after Gravik formulated his plan, which was inspired by Fury's abandonment of the Skrulls. The implication that Rhodes' Secret Invasion Skrull impostor took control of him during Civil War contradicts these fan theories.