Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows the world of Marvel growing more vast and chaotic. Films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and shows like Loki have introduced the existence of the multiverse. On the other hand, political and criminal intrigue continue to grow with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Hawkeye.
However, the MCU promises to expand even further when the Disney+ series Secret Invasion releases in 2023. This series, based on the Marvel Comics arc of the same name, will dive into the Skrull invasion into ordinary life on Earth, as seen at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Here's what fans can expect to come from this show.
10 Nick Fury's Off-World Adventures
It's revealed during a post-credits scene in Spider-Man: Far From Home that the Nick Fury we know has been an imposter. The real Nick Fury isn't even on the planet; instead, he's vacationing on a Skrull spaceship. It's unclear by this tag how long Fury has been away from Earth, or even if audiences have previously seen other fake Furys throughout the MCU films.
Hopefully, all will be revealed in Secret Invasion, as Jackson is set to reprise the role he originated in 2008's Iron Man. The first Captain Marvel film shows Fury's introduction to the shape-shifting alien race. A lot of time has passed since that film took place, so it's a mystery how Fury's relationship with the Skrulls has adapted throughout the years.
9 Hijinks With Talos
Talos, played by Ben Mendehlson, is also confirmed to be returning to the MCU in Secret Invasion. Captain Marvel introduced Talos as the ruthless commander of the Skrull army, though a mid-movie twist reveals that he's actually one of the good guys. Since that moment, Talos has appeared as a lovable, kind, and honorable leader.
Given that Talos has been tasked with impersonating Nick Fury on Earth, fans may be interested to see this character's relationship with the S.H.I.E.L.D. director. It can be assumed that he's trustworthy, or Fury wouldn't associate with him. However, Talos's trust in Mysterio in Far From Home may make Fury more cautious about giving him responsibility.
8 A Captain Marvel Cameo
As far as Marvel fans know, the next time Brie Larson is set to appear as Carol Danvers is in The Marvels. This film will find Carol teaming up with WandaVision's Monica Rambeau, as well as Kamala Khan, who will debut in Ms. Marvel on Disney+. However, given Carol's relationship to Fury and the Skrulls, it's possible she'll appear in Secret Invasion.
Brie Larson definitely seems up for a cameo. The Oscar-winning actress reprised her role as Captain Marvel in a mid-credits scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Additionally, Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders are set to appear in both Secret Invasion and The Marvels. It's obvious the two MCU entries will have some connection.
7 The Return Of The Kree
A big part of the Skrull's appearance in Captain Marvel involves their long-standing war against the Kree. The entire film is based around Carol, who believes herself to be a Kree soldier, realizing she was kidnapped by the superpowered aliens after a plane crash erased her memory. The Skrulls, in reality, are refugees who were aided by a Kree named Mar-Vell.
As of Secret Invasion, the Skrull people have been scattered across the universe with the help of Captain Marvel. On Earth, many Skrull are masquerading as humans in order to avoid the wrath of the Kree warriors. Perhaps some Kree characters, such as Jude Law's Yon-Rogg, will make a surprise appearance as the antagonists of Secret Invasion.
6 Emilia Clarke As A Superhero?
Many big names have been cast as MCU newcomers in Secret Invasion. Aside from Oscar-winner Olivia Colman and The OA's Kinglsey-Ben Adir, Emilia Clarke is set to appear in the series. The actress is known for playing Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, so her Marvel debut must be a fairly important role to befit the Dragon Queen.
One possible theory is that Clarke will be playing Jessica Drew, a.k.a. Spider-Woman. This is certainly a high-profile role, but in terms of Secret Invasion, it goes deeper than that. In the comics, it's revealed that Spider-Woman is actually the Skrull Queen Veranke in disguise, so perhaps Clarke's superhero action will all be a ruse.
5 A World-Eating Menace
The hunt for a new home for the Skrulls will likely be a big part of Secret Invasion, as that was where Captain Marvel left off in 2019. Unfortunately, that may not be easy in the Marvel universe, considering the threats throughout the galaxy. In the comics, the plight of the Skrulls is actually tied to one of Marvel's most powerful villains.
Captain Marvel confirms that the Skrulls' home planet, Skrullos, was destroyed by the Kree prior to the events of that film. In the comics, however, the Skrulls' home planet was Tarnax IV, which was devoured by the planet-eating being Galactus. Perhaps Galactus, and his servant the Silver Surfer, will make their MCU debut in Secret Invasion.
4 A Show Set During The Blip
It's been rumored that Secret Invasion will take place during the five years after Thanos snapped half the life in the universe away. This may puzzle some fans who remember seeing Nick Fury and Maria Hill dust away in Avengers: Infinity War. However, it's possible those were Skrulls disguised as Fury and Hill, and the real ones were safe the whole time.
It begs the question of what Fury and the Skrulls were up to during "the Blip." Was this an opportune moment for the Skrulls to nestle into human society without being noticed? And if so, were any of the Avengers aware of the existence of the real Nick Fury during the events of Avengers: Endgame? If the rumor turns true, there are many questions to be answered.
3 Nick Fury's Backstory
Samuel L. Jackson confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that Secret Invasion will be a big moment for his character, Nick Fury. The S.H.I.E.L.D. director has been a recurring figure in the MCU since Iron Man, appearing in over 10 different films. Surprisingly, Secret Invasion is the first (and hopefully not the last) lead role for Nick Fury.
In the EW interview, Jackson mentions that audiences will get to learn a lot about Fury's backstory. There's certainly a lot to pull from the comics, where Fury has served in the military and the C.I.A. before joining S.H.I.E.L.D. It may even go further than Captain Marvel did, finding Fury as a Level 3 Clearance S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
2 Who Has Been A Skrull All Along?
Many die-hard comic book fans will attest that part of the fun of the Secret Invasion story was the mystery of who can and can't be trusted. Given that the comic book arc is getting its own Disney+ series, it would be wise of Marvel Studios to take advantage of that. It would be interesting to see if any beloved MCU characters have been Skrulls all along.
Nick Fury and Maria Hill are obvious choices for potential Skrulls at different points in the MCU. However, characters like Sharon Carter and Clint Barton could also be surprising reveals. It's also been confirmed that Don Cheadle will be reprising his role as War Machine in Secret Invasion, so perhaps there's more than meets the eye to beloved Rhodey.
1 A Replacement For S.H.I.E.L.D.
Of course, there's no point in adapting Secret Invasion if not to experience the consequences it'll have on the wider MCU. In the comics, the Secret Invasion has disastrous results for S.H.I.E.L.D. By the end of the arc, the Skrull invasion causes S.H.I.E.L.D. to be seen by the government as ineffective, and is replaced.
Fortunately, a new hero pops up in the form of Norman Osborn. In the comics, the Green Goblin himself is the leader of the Thunderbolts, and forms an authoritarian agency known as "H.A.M.M.E.R." Perhaps Willem DaFoe will return as a version of Osborn from Earth-616, or another character will fill the role as the creator of H.A.M.M.E.R.