Secret Invasion Is Setting Up to be the MCU's First Spy Thriller
You can call the Marvel Cinematic Universe many things, but never boring. The MCU might be strict with its film projects, but its long-form shows have become its space for experimentation and genre-bending. From the super-meta WandaVision to the psychological adventure series Moon Knight, the MCU “loves to do different genres for everything,” said Kevin Feige at the Secret Invasion global press conference.
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So it should come as no surprise that Secret Invasion, Disney+ first MCU series of 2023, is venturing into uncharted waters. Instead of a typical superhero series, Secret Invasion will delve into the spy thriller genre in this conspiracy-centric show.
"(Producer) Jonathan (Schwartz) came into my office a number of years ago… with this idea of translating the great Secret Invasion storyline from the comics into a darker, grittier spy show,” explained Feige.
Just as Marvel Studios developed Ms. Marvel for Gen Zs and Loki for the OG fans, Secret Invasion was made for the more mature fans of the MCU. We’ve seen many sides of Nick Fury throughout the years, from the all-knowing head honcho in the Iron Man films to the young low-level bureaucrat in Captain Marvel. In Secret Invasion, we’ll be introduced to a newer, and perhaps darker, version of Fury.
“[It’s about] really delving into the tone of a spy show, and seeing a very different dynamic between Fury and Talos than we had seen in our ’90s buddy action movie, Captain Marvel,” said Feige.
As to where Secret Invasion is located in the MCU timeline, the series is set in “present-day MCU,” which is post-She-Hulk and post-Blip. The six-episode series is expected to set up the events of The Marvels, coming to cinemas on November 10, Armor Wars, and more.
The MCU loves to tie things neatly together, so it’s expected that the Secret Invasion’s “repercussions will be felt in coming projects,” said Feige.
Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as Nick Fury in the upcoming spy thriller Secret Invasion, dropping on Disney+ in the Philippines on June 21. In the Skrull-centric new series, Fury uncovers a conspiracy and gathers the old gang to save the world.
Directed by Ali Selin and created by Kyle Bradstreet, Secret Invasion stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hhil, Martin Freeman as Everett Ross, Kingsley Ben-Adir as Gravik, Dermot Mulroney as Ritson, Emilie Clarke as G’iah, Olivia Colman as Sonya Falsworth, and Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes.