Fans were in for a surprise during the first episode of Secret Invasion as they witnessed the unexpected death of a beloved character from the MCU. This shocking twist has left audiences wondering if this truly marks the end for the iconic character or if it is just another strategic move by Marvel.
The character at the center of this speculation is none other than the well-known agent Maria Hill, portrayed by Cobie Smulders. Maria first appeared in the MCU in 2012's Avengers and has since gained a devoted following. Her presence in the MCU cannot be denied as she played a crucial role alongside Nick Fury in helping the Avengers defeat Loki and offering support in their battle against Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron. With Secret Invasion potentially taking the life of such a significant character, fans are now searching for theories that suggest Maria may not actually be dead.
In the final moments of episode one, viewers bear witness to the tragic demise of Maria at the hands of Gravik, the leader of the Skrulls (played by Kingsley Ben-Adir). Adding a sadistic twist to the already heart-wrenching scene, Gravik had taken on the appearance of Nick Fury, Maria's trusted companion, during the fatal encounter. The camera then fixates on Maria, lying on the ground and bleeding, an unsettling detail that brings a dark dimension to this Marvel creation.
In an interview with Decider, Ali Selim, the director and executive producer of Secret Invasion, expressed his intention to highlight the emotional impact of Maria's death. He emphasized the importance of capturing the emotional truth and confusion experienced by the character, played by Cobie Smulders. By having Gravik impersonate Nick Fury, Selim effectively created a sense of emotional turmoil. However, fans of the show have taken this confusion to another level by speculating that Maria may still be alive. They are considering the possibility that Gravik may have actually killed a Skrull posing as Maria, adding to the mystery and intrigue of Secret Invasion's storyline.
It is possible that Maria was not a Skrull after all, suggesting that this may truly be the end for her. In the first episode of Secret Invasion, a Skrull disguised as Everett Ross was killed, reverting back to its original form. However, this did not occur with Maria during the intense finale of the first episode. This could potentially validate fans' concerns that Maria has indeed met her demise.
The news of Maria's death has evoked a strong emotional response from fans, who are deeply saddened by the potential loss of such a beloved character in the MCU. Many viewers have taken to social media to express their frustration with Marvel's decision to kill off Maria. Despite being part of the MCU since phase one, some fans feel that Maria's character never had the opportunity to fully develop and evolve over time.
In contrast to the original comics, Marvel often sidelines Maria, neglecting to give her a prominent role in the action. When Secret Invasion was announced in 2020, fans were thrilled at the prospect of Maria finally taking center stage. Many believe that Marvel undervalues the character in favor of their male leads. Unfortunately, by potentially killing off Maria in the first episode, Marvel has deprived fans of seeing her in a significant role. In the past, Marvel has faced criticism for its lack of female protagonists and underdeveloped female storylines. If Maria is indeed dead, this will only reignite the discussion about Marvel's tendency to kill off their female characters. The loss of Maria would mean that there are alarmingly few female characters remaining from Phase One. If her death is simply a plot device to further Nick Fury's storyline, it could have negative repercussions for Marvel, who are already facing backlash for their use of AI in Secret Invasion's title sequence.
The fate of Maria in Secret Invasion remains uncertain, as her death prevents her from taking the stage and raises the stakes for Marvel's fifth and sixth phases. Fans eagerly await the release of the second episode on Disney+ to confirm their theories. However, there is hope for Maria's future as she is rumored to appear in Marvel's upcoming female-led film, The Marvels. In the meantime, fans anxiously await the next installment of Secret Invasion, which can be streamed on Disney+ every Wednesday.