The Mind-Blowing Setup in Secret Invasion Paves the Path for an Epic Thor 5 Adventure!

Highlights

The outcome of Secret Invasion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe paves the way for upcoming projects, notably the fifth installment of Thor, by unveiling the revelation of Skrulls residing on Earth and President Ritson's declaration considering all extraterrestrial races as enemies.

President Ritson's declaration of war against the entire universe could have major consequences for New Asgard and its inhabitants, the Asgardians, as they are no longer welcome on Earth.

The events depicted in the Secret Invasion storyline bear similarities to the Siege comic book arc, indicating that political authorities might desire the departure of Asgardians, including Thor and Valkyrie, from Earth. This situation could potentially result in a similar confrontation in the fifth Thor film.

The Secret Invasion series concluded with Gravik's defeat (played by Kingsley Ben-Adir), wrapping up its main story in a satisfying manner. However, it also lays the groundwork for future Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. While the upcoming film The Marvels, centering around Nick Fury's (Samuel L. Jackson) return to space, garners most discussion, there is another MCU movie which could benefit from exploring the events of Secret Invasion: the fifth installment of the Thor franchise.

Although Secret Invasion hints at a global catastrophe with the Skrulls' complete takeover, it primarily focuses on a smaller scale. Nick Fury and a select group of allies combat the threat without assistance from other teams like The Avengers (in whatever form they may be post Avengers: Endgame) or the Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite lacking the aid of external heroes, it is undeniable that the aftermath of the Secret Invasion finale will impact the heroes on Earth. One specific MCU hero who will likely be greatly affected by the conclusion of Secret Invasion is Thor (Chris Hemsworth).

President Ritson Makes A Drastic Proclamation In Secret Invasion

During the unfolding events of Secret Invasion, the concealment of Skrulls on Earth is shattered as news broadcasts expose footage of Skrulls attacking President Ritson and his convoy. This revelation leads to a clear realization that the Skrulls' existence will no longer remain a secret. It is evident that humanity, influenced by the media, will turn against the Skrulls. Nick Fury, throughout the series, acknowledges that the majority of humans would not readily accept a new alien species coexisting among them. President Ritson firmly emphasizes this sentiment in the season finale of Secret Invasion.

In the ultimate episode, President Ritson delivers a televised speech wherein he declares that all beings from other planets will be regarded as hostile and categorized as "enemy combatants." He explicitly instructs Fury that alien entities should "get off my planet." President Ritson's decision stems from his encounter with a faction of Skrulls who attempted a takeover, effectively provoking him to initiate a war against the entire universe on Earth's behalf. However, this move carries significant risks as numerous individuals from other planets, such as members of the Guardians of the Galaxy and remaining Asgardians, have played pivotal roles in saving Earth multiple times. It is worth noting that the Asgardians, despite their dwindling numbers, have even chosen Earth as their new home.

How Will His Decision Affect New Asgard

Thor and Valkyrie have established a new dwelling for the remaining Asgardian population in Norway. This flourishing community known as New Asgard was last depicted in Thor: Love and Thunder. It was constructed after the Asgardians were targeted by Thanos and subsequently found themselves caught in the battle for Earth. Valkyrie, serving as the official representative of Asgard, attends diplomatic meetings on behalf of the country. Unfortunately, President Ritson's declaration of aliens being unwelcome on Earth implies that Asgardians are not welcomed either.

Although Asgardians are commonly perceived as gods, they originate from a different planet within another "realm." Previously, they could travel to Earth using the bifrost, but this ability was lost when Asgard was destroyed. While their rituals may appear mystical, they are actually the result of highly advanced scientific knowledge, a point emphasized by Jane Foster in Thor: The Dark World. Certain long-lived Asgardians like Thor and Loki have become the inspiration for the Norse mythology in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although revered as gods, they are ultimately extraterrestrial beings.

It raises a significant question of how Ritson’s pronouncement will impact New Asgard. Considering that Ritson holds the title of the President of the United States rather than the entire planet, one wonders if his words will hold sway worldwide. Asgardians have found acceptance on Earth, despite Fury's previous observation that their appearances closely resemble humans, unlike the Skrulls. Although Asgardians possess increased strength and longevity, some individuals such as Thor, Valkyrie, and Lady Sif (Jamie Alexander) have extensively trained as warriors, refining their abilities to a superhuman level. Can Ritson truly deny their presence on Earth solely due to his personal grievances against the Skrulls?

The Comic Book Story Thor 5 Could Draw From

The final scenes of Secret Invasion reveal that the Skrulls' footage and Ritson's promotion of xenophobia are already starting to impact the MCU. We witness vigilantes target individuals whom they suspect to be Skrulls. While some of their suspicions are correct, in other instances, they end up mistakenly killing innocent humans who had previously been impersonated but have since resumed their regular lives. This sequence serves as a powerful glimpse into the potential future for any extraterrestrial beings residing on Earth, extending beyond just the Asgardians.

The Secret Invasion setup bears resemblance to Marvel Comics' Siege storyline in 2010. Brian Michael Bendis primarily wrote the four-issue miniseries, which intertwined with various other comic book titles, causing a ripple effect within the comics. It depicted Loki manipulating Norman Osborn into seeking political support for an assault on New Asgard, which was located in the United States instead of Norway in the comics. These manipulations share similarities with those witnessed in Secret Invasion.

Osborn presents the Asgardians as a threat and deceives a member of the Warriors Three into engaging in a battle with a group of villains, resulting in an explosion that claims many human lives. This loss of life grants Osborn the authorization to attack New Asgard. Despite the Asgardians being revered as gods, this does not deter the assault. Although these events unfold differently for the Skrulls (and with different characters) in Secret Invasion, it is reasonable to assume that as human paranoia and mistrust towards Skrulls escalate, their general distrust of extraterrestrial beings will also grow. Consequently, despite the formidable presence of Thor and Valkyrie, political leaders may eventually demand that the Asgardians depart from Earth.

The comic book character Sentry, known for his immense power and the destructive force of Void within him, plays a central role in the storyline of Siege. Controlled by Osborn, Sentry is sent to attack New Asgard. While Sentry hasn't appeared in the MCU, it's plausible to envision another character of equal power, like Valentina Allegra de Fontaine or Sonya Falsworth, being manipulated in a similar manner.

Interestingly, in the current MCU, Super Skrull G'iah, who possesses comparable power to Sentry, has recently formed an alliance with Falsworth to safeguard her people. Despite having good intentions for her people, G'iah has been caught in the crossfire of conflicting factions in the past. This establishes the possibility of incorporating a Siege-like narrative for Thor 5 involving G'iah.

Secret Invasion is available to stream on Disney Plus.