Summary
: Secret Invasion received a disappointing reception, with a low Rotten Tomatoes score, which could pose a problem for upcoming MCU projects like Echo.Summary
: The reception of Secret Invasion fell short, as evident from its low Rotten Tomatoes score, and this could potentially impact future MCU endeavors such as Echo.Echo, a relatively obscure hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), may encounter obstacles as a result of the underperformance of Secret Invasion. With no significant selling features or well-known characters, Echo's chances for revival could rely on positive word-of-mouth and the timing of its release, particularly following successful projects such as Loki season 2 and The Marvels.
Note: Spoilers for Secret Invasion are included in this article.
Marvel Studios' Echo faces challenges following the disappointing reception of Secret Invasion on Rotten Tomatoes. Premiering on Disney+ in June 2023 and concluding on July 26, 2023, the series finale featured several shocking moments. However, reviews reveal that the majority of viewers found Samuel L. Jackson's solo MCU debut ending to be underwhelming and unsatisfying. Secret Invasion's criticisms differ from the superhero fatigue plaguing recent Marvel Studios projects, making it a potential issue for the upcoming Phase 5 series. Billed as an exciting addition to the MCU's Phase 5, Secret Invasion promised a thrilling espionage storyline with Nick Fury's return to Earth to confront a rebellious faction of shape-shifting Skrulls. The series included unexpected twists, such as Everett Ross and Rhodey being revealed as Skrulls and the tragic deaths of Maria Hill and Talos. Despite certain elements resonating with audiences, the overall reception and Rotten Tomatoes score for Secret Invasion have been disappointing. This has raised concerns for future MCU projects, including the relatively unknown Echo.
Secret Invasion Viewership And Rotten Tomatoes Scores Are Terrible
Following the premiere of Secret Invasion, Samba TV disclosed that the first episode named "Resurrection" had been viewed by 994,000 households in the United States within its initial five days of release. This figure marked the second-lowest viewership for a Marvel Studios' premiere on Disney+, only surpassing Ms. Marvel, which was watched by 775,000 households. The initial statistics were disappointing for Secret Invasion, but it was anticipated that the series would gain momentum through word of mouth. However, due to the show's slow pace and absence of noteworthy superheroes, some viewers felt alienated. Ultimately, Secret Invasion's finale received a critically negative response, resulting in the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score for any MCU project.
As of July 28, 2023, Secret Invasion episode 6 titled "Home" currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 10%. This makes it the lowest-rated piece of MCU media, overtaking the previous record held by 2023's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 46%. Secret Invasion's low score could pose a significant challenge for Marvel Studios. Many critics argue that Secret Invasion failed to deliver a compelling storyline, didn't do justice to Nick Fury's character development, and ruined the narrative with an excessive CGI battle in the finale. If Secret Invasion faces such criticism, it raises concerns about the fate of future Disney+ shows within the MCU.
Echo Doesn't Have The Selling Points Secret Invasion Did
Phase 5's Echo entered development following Alaqua Cox's introduction as Maya Lopez in Hawkeye (2021). There was initial uncertainty surrounding the decision to give the relatively unknown hero her own standalone series. However, given her connections to Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and Wilson Fisk (Kingpin), it is likely that her series will serve as a build-up for their appearances in Daredevil: Born Again. Echo is scheduled for release in November 2023, following Secret Invasion, Loki season 2, and The Marvels. The underwhelming reception of Secret Invasion could potentially impact Echo's performance, especially considering the upcoming series lacks the same selling points.
Derived from the popular 2008 Marvel Comics storyline, Secret Invasion brought back the beloved Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. The series also featured the return of popular actors Martin Freeman, Don Cheadle, Cobie Smulders, and Ben Mendelsohn, as well as the introduction of talented individuals such as Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Despite these star-studded factors, Secret Invasion received mixed reviews from audiences. This raises the possibility that Echo, which revolves around a lesser-known plot with a limited number of established characters, may experience a similar fate, becoming another MCU project affected by franchise fatigue.
Why Echo Can Still Be Ok Despite Secret Invasion Underperforming
With poor statistics hindering Secret Invasion, Echo's release on November 29, 2023, presents an opportunity for redemption. The success of Echo hinges on positive word of mouth, which can be achieved through favorable news during production and well-received early reviews. Despite lacking major selling points seen in previous MCU projects, Echo's decision to release the entire series on the same day will facilitate the spread of word of mouth, ensuring audiences quickly learn if the show is worth watching.
Echo also benefits from its release schedule, following well-anticipated releases such as Loki season 2 and The Marvels. The highly anticipated Loki season 2, with Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson returning, is expected to be a hit in Phase 5 of the MCU, thanks to their previous cameo appearance in the post-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Additionally, the promising trailers for The Marvels, featuring Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, indicate that Nia DaCosta's sequel will surpass its 2019 predecessor. The momentum generated by these projects could carry over to Echo, preventing it from suffering the same fate as Secret Invasion.