The upcoming Disney+ Secret Invasion series is set to explore the base level of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. More focused on spies and aliens than superheroes, Secret Invasion will bring together many government agents and more human characters in a tense and suspicious environment.
The upcoming Disney+ Secret Invasion series is set to explore the base level of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. More focused on spies and aliens than superheroes, Secret Invasion will bring together many government agents and more human characters in a tense and suspicious environment.
With the series rumored to be set in the “today’s MCU,” there are quite a few Marvel projects to check out if you want to be prepared – especially since Secret Invasion’s main characters appear throughout the MCU. Let’s take a look at which Marvel movies and series we should watch before Secret Invasion.
iron man 2
Although Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury first appears in Iron Man 1 to herald the eventual crossover film, Iron Man 2 was the character’s first major role. We learn more about SHIELD and Fury’s role in it, and the efforts he will make to control or understand the circumstances around him. Essentially, this is where Fury’s character really gets established.
James Rhodes/Rhodey’s role is also expanded as he finally gets to don the armor of the war machine. Since Don Cheadle also plays Rhodey for the first time after Terrence Howard in Iron Man 1, the relationship between Rhodey and Stark and between Rhodey and the government is clear even without having seen the original Iron Man.
The Avengers
As the MCU’s first major crossover, The Avengers is a big movie. It serves as an introduction to Fury’s right-hand man, Maria Hill – played by How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders. Hill’s character is established as the factual assistant director of SHIELD.
Fury also plays a major role as he initially unites the Avengers and motivates them to work together after Agent Coulson’s untimely death. We get a glimpse into the shadier side of SHIELD and reinforce the notion that Fury and his agents are doing whatever is necessary for the greater good.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
As SHIELD falls apart from within due to the ingrained HYDRA, Fury and Hill both play key roles in the first Captain America sequel. The fall of SHIELD is a major event in the MCU, with Fury and Hill’s situation being particularly significant given their ranking within it. This makes “The Winter Soldier” a film that you should definitely have seen before “Secret Invasion”.
We learn more about Fury – who ended up faking his own death – and see the beginning of the post-SHIELD landscape. This film gives Fury and Hill some of their most significant roles in an MCU project and shows their ability to keep up with the world of superpowers using their wits and gadgets.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron is another big team film that’s changing the MCU’s status quo. Maria Hill is present at the Avengers party at the beginning of the film and shows a side of the character that hasn’t been seen before – Hill outside of work. She plays cards and jokes with the Avengers, showing that the secret agent side isn’t always “on”.
Fury later appears in the film to once again offer advice and motivation to the superhero team, followed by a last minute invasion alongside Hill in the Battle of Sokovia. This is the movie that shows audiences for the first time that even with SHIELD gone, Fury and Hill still have a lot to offer the heroes.
Captain America: Civil War
Despite being titled Captain America, Civil War is almost an Avengers movie. There’s a full cast here, and the MCU’s status quo changes again as the Avengers split over the Sokovia Accords. Fury and Hill aren’t all that important in this case, but Rhodey catches a stray blast of Vision and is paralyzed from the waist down. Tony Stark/Iron Man creates robotic leg braces to make him walk.
This film also introduces another member of the Secret Invasion cast – Everett Ross, played by Sherlock and The Hobbit star Martin Freeman. Here, Ross directs the Joint Counter Terrorist Center and oversees the capture of Bucky Barnes – who is later taken to Wakanda – and Helmut Zemo.
Black Panther
In Black Panther, Ross has a major role as a CIA agent tracking down vibranium thief Ulysses Klaue. Ross works with T’Challa/Black Panther and his allies to stop Erik Killmonger’s plans to start a massive conflict. This film establishes Ross as a capable agent with noble intentions and an ally of Wakanda, something that will be reinforced in the 2022 sequel.
Avengers: Infinity War
Given the shocking ending to Avengers: Infinity War, which wiped out half of all life in the universe, it’s an important film for any storyline in the MCU. In particular, the post-credits scene shows Fury and Hill contacting Captain Marvel before breaking up over Thanos’ snapshot. It’s largely unknown how much the experience of death and missing five years affected the two characters in the future. However, Secret Invasion will be the biggest project the two have been in since then, so we might get more insights on that soon.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is a key film for Secret Invasion as it introduces the shapeshifting alien race known as the Skrulls to the MCU. The leader of the Captain Marvel group, Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos, is also introduced. Talos will play an important role in Secret Invasion as he and Fury are allies in handling the titular invasion.
The Kree’s pursuit of the Skrulls, as well as the Kree-Skrull War, have played a big role in the Skrulls’ MCU presence so far. It’s unknown how central this will be to the Skrulls’ actions during Secret Invasion, but nonetheless, Captain Marvel is a film you should watch before Secret Invasion because it introduces the Skrulls and their leader .
Avengers: Endgame
In the Infinity War sequel, Nicky Fury and Maria Hill are brought back by Hulk’s snapshot, along with the rest of the lifeforms that were ripped away. This is the film that has had the biggest impact on the current MCU, as recent projects have shown how great heroes and ordinary people have dealt with the aftermath of The Blip. Secret Invasion is set in a world still grappling with life post-Blip. So be sure to check out “Endgame” to understand the setting.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Nick Fury appears fairly frequently in the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel, which explores the post-blip world. Thing is, this isn’t actually Nick Fury. After acting a bit strange throughout the movie, we find out that Fury was actually Talos in disguise, and that Fury himself is in space for some reason. This scene is a reminder of how easy it is for a Skrull to take a person’s place while potentially setting up some of Fury’s and Talos’ storylines that will be covered in Secret Invasion.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
One character who has yet to be confirmed as a potential performer is Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Given her position in government and her association with Everett Ross, who plays a role in Secret Invasion, it’s hard to believe she didn’t know about the Skrulls. The series also offers a closer look at the MCU’s post-endgame environment from the ground plane, where Secret Invasion appears to take place. Rhodey also appears to briefly encourage Sam, showing he’s still active after Endgame.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Finally we have the newest movie on the list, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Although Everett Ross appears less in this sequel than in the first film, he and his ex-wife – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Val – do have their own side trips.
After seemingly reuniting with Val, Ross is arrested by her for sharing secrets with the Wakandans to help the nation while the world turns against them. With Okoye releasing him before going to jail, Ross’ current status is unknown. After that, however, Secret Invasion will likely pick up steam and continue Ross’ story as he navigates his way through the titular event.
