Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion, which premiered on June 21, 2023, on Disney+, with its first episode titled "Resurrection," brings back familiar faces such as Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, and Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill. However, the series still leaves one major unanswered question from Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019. Secret Invasion explores the infiltration of Earth by a rebellious group of Skrulls aiming to make it their new home. This thrilling series has already demonstrated that anyone, including the iconic characters Nick Fury and Maria Hill themselves, can be impersonated or eliminated by Kingsley Ben-Adir's menacing character, Gravik, in his quest for power.
Cobie Smulders has made multiple appearances in various MCU projects, often portraying Nick Fury's trusted associate. She first appeared in The Avengers and later showed up in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Additionally, she had cameos in Infinity War and Endgame before taking on a more significant role in Spider-Man: Far From Home. However, in a surprising twist, it was revealed that both Fury and Hill were actually Skrulls named Talos and Soren in disguise after assisting Spider-Man in his fight against Mysterio. This revelation left many wondering about the true whereabouts of the duo, and unfortunately, Secret Invasion did not provide any answers to this lingering mystery.
Where Was Maria Hill During Far From Home's Post-Credit's Scene?
Following the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home, it was revealed in the post-credits scene that Nick Fury had been residing in space for an extended period of time. After his return from the Blip in Avengers: Endgame, Fury had been diligently working on the SABER Space Station, which is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming storyline of The Marvels in 2023. However, while Fury's whereabouts were promptly disclosed, Maria Hill's situation remained a mystery. Despite her last genuine appearance in the MCU being at Tony Stark's funeral in Endgame, Hill was not seen alongside Fury on SABER, leaving her whereabouts between Far From Home and Secret Invasion unknown.
Secret Invasion Makes Maria Hill Missing Far From Home Worse
The events of Secret Invasion episode 1 shed some light on the process by which Skrulls take on human forms. Gravik's warriors were seen assimilating the memories of their new "shells", suggesting a similar occurrence must have taken place for Fury and Hill to be replaced by Talos and Soren. However, it is highly unlikely that Maria Hill would willingly relinquish her identity to a Skrull and disappear without a trace. It is more plausible that she would have been driven to be actively involved in the events unfolding.
Secret Invasion also revealed that the Blip had a profound impact on Fury, prompting him to leave Earth and join SABER. This resulted in a breakdown in communication between him and Hill, leading to their estrangement and a growing sense of resentment between the two in Phase 5. If Fury had allowed the Skrulls to assume Maria Hill's identity without her consent, it would have further deepened the divide between them. Unfortunately, it is uncertain whether Secret Invasion will provide answers to this mystery. The first episode concluded with the shocking death of Maria Hill at the hands of Gravik, and with Soren also deceased since her appearance in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the full details of this storyline may never be fully understood by viewers.