Unmasking the Skrulls: Revealing the True Identities of MCU Heroes in Secret Invasion

Warning: This post contains spoilers for episode 1 of Secret Invasion, titled "Resurrection." There is a possibility that some characters introduced in Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion may actually be undercover Skrulls. After their initial appearance in Captain Marvel in 2019, the Skrulls have returned in Phase 5's Secret Invasion, which premiered on Disney+ on June 21, 2023. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these shape-shifting aliens were portrayed as allies to humanity, despite being antagonists in the comics. However, Secret Invasion delves into a group of rebellious Skrulls who have infiltrated human society to claim Earth for themselves. Due to the Skrulls' ability to assume human form, it is difficult to identify them, so any character in Secret Invasion could potentially be a Skrull.

In episode 1, titled "Resurrection," Samuel L. Jackson reprised his role as Nick Fury, who returns to Earth with the help of Maria Hill (played by Cobie Smulders) and Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) to confront the imminent Skrull threat. Led by Gravik (played by Kingsley Ben-Adir), the Skrull rebellion is shown to have taken on the appearances of various humans, allowing them to blend into society over the course of several years. The premiere episode of Secret Invasion also revealed that a Skrull has assumed the identity of Everett K. Ross (played by Martin Freeman), raising doubts about the trustworthiness of even Fury's closest allies. However, there are several other characters in Secret Invasion who could also turn out to be Skrulls.

5 James "Rhodey" Rhodes

Don Cheadle returned as James "Rhodey" Rhodes in Secret Invasion, reprising his role alongside Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Rhodey, a former Colonel in the United States military, has always balanced his superhero activities in the MCU with his government work. In Secret Invasion episode 1, it is revealed that Rhodey is now closely collaborating with President Ritson, giving him a more official role than in his previous MCU appearances. This promotion raises the possibility that Rhodey may actually be a Skrull in disguise.

For the Skrull rebellion, led by Gravik, to succeed, it would be logical for them to assume the identities of high-ranking human officials in various governments. This would allow them to undermine nations from within. Rhodey, being an Avenger and a respected government figure, is the ideal choice for the Skrulls to replace. The revelation that he is a Skrull in Secret Invasion would be a major shock in Phase 5 of the MCU. Considering his involvement in significant events throughout the MCU's history, it raises questions about how long the rebellion has been executing their world-threatening plans.

4 President Ritson

President Ritson, played by Dermot Mulroney, currently holds the position of President of the United States in the MCU. He took over from President Ellis, who was seen in Iron Man 3. Given the context of the post-Blip MCU, Ritson's sudden appearance raises suspicions that he may actually be a Skrull. It wouldn't be surprising if the Skrulls, having infiltrated powerful positions, including the US Presidency, were behind this. Additionally, a significant hint about Ritson's true identity can be found in the MCU's upcoming storyline.

In the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World, releasing on July 26, 2024, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross will be depicted as the President of the United States. This role, previously portrayed by the late William Hurt, will be taken on by Harrison Ford. Ford is expected to appear in both Brave New World and Thunderbolts. With Ross set to become the new President in the MCU, it can be inferred that Ritson will not survive the events of Secret Invasion. This suggests that the Skrulls may eliminate Ritson as part of their plan. However, it is more likely that the most influential figure in the United States will be exposed as a Skrull, emphasizing the scale of the Skrulls' invasive actions.

3 Sonya Falsworth

Olivia Colman made her debut in episode 1 of Secret Invasion, portraying Sonya Falsworth, a respected MI6 Agent who shares a history with Nick Fury. Sonya is the descendant of James Montgomery Falsworth, who served as a member of Captain America's Howling Commandos in World War II, inheriting a passion for espionage and fighting for justice. While she is an ally to Fury, there is an underlying tension between them. Sonya's primary objective is to safeguard England's national security, and she questions Fury's ability to handle the task due to his advanced age and vulnerability. At this point, there is little indication that Sonya is a Skrull in Secret Invasion.

One effective method to uncover a Skrull posing as a human is to question them about exclusive knowledge known only to the real person. Skrulls can replicate any living being, right down to their DNA, but they struggle to replicate long-term memories. Since Sonya Falsworth had a detailed conversation with Nick Fury, mentioning their past encounters, it is probable that she is genuinely who she claims to be. Nevertheless, due to her influential position in MI6 and the Skrulls' extensive knowledge of Nick Fury spanning three decades, the Skrull imposter could have had ample opportunity to gather information on Fury's life. Despite this, evidence suggests that Sonya is working against the Skrulls, implying that she can likely be trusted.

2 The UK Prime Minister

Secret Invasion has unveiled photos showing an image of a fabricated newspaper front page. The headline reads, "President Ritson in London for Emergency Talks," indicating that Ritson will be meeting with the British Prime Minister during the events of Secret Invasion. This marks the first appearance of a UK government leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), suggesting that there must be a compelling reason for the storyline to extend beyond the borders of the United States. Given the potential revelation that President Ritson could be a Skrull in Secret Invasion, his meeting with the British Prime Minister might be a strategic move to collaborate with a faction of Gravik's Skrull rebellion.

Notably, the front page image features President Ritson alongside James "Rhodey" Rhodes, hinting at Rhodey's transition into the realm of politics. This detail could support the theory that Rhodey is also a Skrull posing as an Avenger, suggesting that the "Emergency Talks" in London might contribute to the Skrull rebellion's plan for global dominance. As Secret Invasion continues to unfold on Disney+, it is likely that more world leaders will be exposed as Skrulls in disguise, as it makes sense for them to infiltrate the highest echelons of power in the MCU's world.

1 Nick Fury

Samuel L. Jackson made his debut as Nick Fury in Iron Man (2008) and has since become one of the longest-serving actors in any superhero franchise. Despite his extensive career in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Secret Invasion will be the first solo adventure for Fury. This series is anticipated to delve into the personal life and challenges of the former SHIELD Director in the aftermath of the Blip. Without the support of the Avengers in the battle against Gravik and the Skrull uprising, Fury is teaming up with Talos, the former Skrull leader from Captain Marvel, after his return to Earth from the SABER Space Station.

Considering that Nick Fury has been off-world since before the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home, it is possible that a friendly Skrull has taken on his appearance for Secret Invasion, allowing the real Fury to continue his work on the SABER Space Station. However, it seems unlikely that Fury himself is a Skrull since he is known for always being there to help his old friends Maria Hill and Talos. In the ending of Secret Invasion episode 1, Fury was impersonated by Gravik, but following that moment and in the aftermath of the Blip, Secret Invasion could potentially see Fury reclaim his role as the courageous and unwavering leader of heroes.

Will Secret Invasion Reveal A Skrull Avenger?

Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion draws loose inspiration from the Marvel Comics' 2008 event with the same name. In the comic storyline, numerous heroes were uncovered as Skrull impersonators in a massive crossover. However, the MCU adaptation takes a more grounded and realistic approach to the Skrulls' covert invasion. Consequently, Secret Invasion in the MCU has been significantly condensed, with the focus on Fury navigating the Skrull rebellion alone due to the uncertainty of trustworthy allies.

Despite this, it remains a possibility that some prominent MCU heroes may be unveiled as Skrulls in Secret Invasion. Everett K. Ross was exposed as a Skrull in the initial moments of episode 1, and speculation suggests that War Machine may also be disclosed as a Skrull. This development could potentially pave the way for discovering the true identities of other heroes, though it is expected to be mentioned rather than featuring major MCU actors reprising their roles in cameos for Secret Invasion. If some of the MCU's most significant heroes are indeed revealed as Skrulls, it could drastically alter the direction of Phases 5 and 6.

New episodes of Secret Invasion release every Wednesday on Disney+.