The ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded all the way beyond cinema entirely. As of early 2021, Marvel Studios began its conquest of the small screen, beginning with projects like WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The foray continues, enlisting MCU regulars (namely Loki and Hawkeye) and newcomers alike. And one such new direction will involve a beloved Marvel Comics miniseries: Secret Invasion.
Here’s everything we know about Secret Invasion so far.
Secret Invasion‘s Plot
The project will span six hour-long episodes (per Empire) and will air (presumably weekly) on Disney+. The synopsis for the TV series says:
In Marvel Studios’ new series “Secret Invasion,” set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.
At D23, Marvel released its first trailer for Secret Invasion. Take a look below.
A recent article from Vanity Fair gave us a few more details about the new heroes and villains we would meet in the show. Among other interesting notes about Secret Invasion, it shared thoughts from star Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson shares of his character Nick Fury, “He told the Skrulls they were trying to find them a place to live… He promised them they were going to find them a planet or somewhere they could be. And that’s not going so well.” And the article adds, “Now a group of Skrull extremists have arisen who are tired of asking, and tired of waiting.”
Jackson also adds, “Nick had a whole Skrull spy network because they could shape-shift and go places that people couldn’t go… They kept their word. They worked for him, but he hasn’t done what he said he was going to do. They want a home. They want to live. They want to live like they are. They want to live in their skin. They don’t want to live in ours.”
Of Nick Fury, he notes, “Even Nick Fury can be shaken, you know? He’s up there [in space] trying to process what the fuck happened, you know? And what his place in the world is…The death of Iron Man, the death of Black Widow, with that stuff going on, he just kind of checked out.
Sounds like a deep conflict is coming in the world of the MCU. We can see it all in the latest look at the series.
What Is Secret Invasion‘s Comic Event About?
Marvel Comics published the eight-issue miniseries Secret Invasion between April and December 2008. Brian Michael Bendis, who wrote the series, developed its story as a direct follow-up to the 2006 storyline “Annihilation.” Beyond its eight issues, the series tied into numerous other concurrent Marvel Comics series, espousing a preemptive “The Infiltration” banner. Members of superhero teams including Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Young Avengers, Fantastic Four, Secret Warriors, among others, were included in the story.
Bendis’ comic event tells the story of the Skrulls’ attempted invasion and conquest of the planet Earth. Using shapeshifting abilities, Skrulls take the form and identity of innumerous Earthlings, including top dollar Marvel figures. Skrull Empress-elect Veranke adopts the likeness of Spider-Woman, for instance, and sidles up to her superhero colleagues; over time, the Skrulls permeate additional groups like S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Fantastic Four.
That’s just the gist of the rising action. You can read a more in-depth discussion of Secret Invasion here.
Behind the Scenes
Kyle Bradstreet, writer and producer for Mr. Robot, is handling Secret Invasion‘s script. Thomas Bezucha (Let Him Go) and Ali Selim (The Looming Tower) will direct according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Secret Invasion‘s Cast
Samuel L. Jackson will bring Fury to life onscreen for Secret Invasion. Incidentally, this will mark the twelfth MCU project in which he’s played the character (not counting video games). Ben Mendelsohn, who played Talos in Captain Marvel and (briefly) in Spider-Man: Far from Home, will return as the surprisingly kindly Skrull. Cobie Smulders is also reprising her role as Maria Hill once more, per Deadline. Of course, we can’t have Nick Fury without Maria Hill at his side.
Right on the heels of Once Night in Miami’s Oscar nomination, Variety reported that the film’s star Kingsley Ben-Adir would join the Secret Invasion cast. He will play Gravik, the leader of the radicalized Skrull resistance. Carmen Ejogo has also joined the cast. Meanwhile, another Oscar winner is joining the fray. Olivia Colman will play, per Vanity Fair, “a more antagonistic presence in Secret Invasion…an MI6 agent…who’s ostensibly motivated to protect England’s national security interests during the crisis.”
Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke and Dublin Murders star Killian Scott have also been cast. Clarke is set to play G’iah, the Skrull daughter of Talos who is part of the Skrull resistance. Christopher McDonald has also joined the show, though we don’t know the role.
Finally, Martin Freeman confirmed to RadioTimes that he would also be reprising his MCU role as Everett K. Ross in Secret Invasion.
Secret Invasion‘s Release Date
Secret Invasion will release on June 21, 2023.
Originally published March 15, 2021.
