WARNING: This article has SPOILERS forSecret Invasion, episode 1TheSecret Invasioncharacters have been keeping a few secrets, but the show’s director isn’t one of them. Ali Selim went on the record and confirmed if fans can expect an appearance by one of the new Marvel characters to hit their screens in the new series.
Billed as a straight espionage thriller, the firstSecret Invasionepisode surprisedMCUfans. Despite her prominent focus in the comics, episode 1 ended with Maria Hill on the wrong end of a Skrull attack. Taking a well-established character out so early in the series was shocking and also a little bit baffling. Her appearance in the upcoming filmThe Marvelsconfused fans with the timeline. But all reports indicate that she died from a gunshot wound when a Skrull was impersonating Nick Fury.
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Many things inSecret Invasionhave been kept close to the vest, but not the information about one particular Marvel character. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been featured sparingly in the Marvel Universe as the mysterious figure Contessa Valentina, with her most recent appearance being inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. But even if fans are waiting for her to make her big move ahead of thepotentialSuicide Squadrip-off, they’re in for some disappointment. “Those things on the internet are quite funny. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is not in the show… I’m not sure how that ended up there!” Selim reported inSFX Magazine. The director said that with such a high-intensity story, he wasn’t too concerned about cameos.
At its heart,Secret Invasioncentered around a key theme: no one is trustworthy. This is why Maria’s death hit the way it did. She saw her mentor and former SHIELD boss pulling the trigger. Even as she took her last breath, it was unclear if she knew if that was Fury or a Skrull impersonator. Selim was more interested in carrying out these types of mature story arcs rather than feature character appearances only meant to set up another franchise film.Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina may stick around in the series, but it won’t be forSecret Invasion.
More Marvel creatives should be taking a page from Selim’s book. So many large franchise films feature minimal parts for actors just to set them up for their respective series. And while seeingMatt Murdock’sSpider-Man: No Way Homecameowas a thrill, it also took away the emotional stakes. The length of the third film of theSpider-Mantrilogy could justify a quick walkthrough from Daredevil, but this shouldn’t be implemented all the time. Smaller productions do better by telling concise stories that resonate with audiences. That is what turns an IP from a large franchise into a compelling film and television show. Limited engagements such asWandaVisionandWerewolf By Nighthave leaned into the eccentric, telling well-contained stories. It’s now up to bigger franchise films to take note.
Secret Invasionis currently airing on Disney Plus.
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