Unveiling Secrets: Secret Invasion Director Ignites Marvel Series Without Prior Comic Knowledge

Secret Invasion director Ali Selim had his own inspirations for the show and revealed that he was advised not to read the Marvel Comics. The eponymous storyline, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, is highly regarded in Marvel's comics history. It unveils the shocking revelation that many beloved superheroes were secretly replaced by the Skrulls, a shapeshifting alien race, who aimed to take over Earth. In the Disney+ series, Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury races against time to thwart their final plans. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Selim discussed the challenges of adapting the iconic Marvel storyline. He mentioned that the responsibility of adapting the material primarily fell on creator Kyle Bradstreet. Interestingly, Selim admitted that he was explicitly instructed not to read the comics before working on the show, as it would deviate significantly from the source material. Find out more about Selim's explanation below.

When I assumed the role of director, the script had already been written by Kyle Bradstreet and the rest of our team of writers. From the start, I was advised against reading the comics as it was deemed irrelevant to our objectives. Instead, the genesis of this story stemmed from the dynamic chemistry between Sam Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, or rather, between Nick Fury and Talos in Captain Marvel. It was this connection that prompted us to explore further. Consequently, we embarked on a search for a narrative that would not only strengthen their relationship but also expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing characters who did not exist in the comic books. In essence, it's a story that stands on its own merits.

Why Secret Invasion Can't Directly Adapt The Marvel Comics

Given its rich history in the world of comics, Selim's remarks about Secret Invasion taking a more flexible approach to adapting the source material may raise concerns for fans who hold the original story dear. The MCU has a distinctive track record of drawing inspiration from various iconic comics to shape their narratives. Some adaptations, like WandaVision, have garnered praise from comic book enthusiasts, while others, such as Ms. Marvel, have sparked debates among those more familiar with the original material.

The current state of the MCU makes it nearly impossible for Secret Invasion to faithfully adapt the source material. In the comics, the Skrulls live on their own world and have stability in their lives. They successfully invade Earth by studying and capturing the Illuminati, posing as them and capturing the heroes. However, in the MCU, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been replaced by S.W.O.R.D. and the Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts have not yet been introduced. This means that Secret Invasion will have to undergo changes from its original story, leaving audiences hoping that it can still capture the excitement that made the comics so iconic.

Secret Invasion begins airing on Disney+ on June 21.