Excitingly, Samuel L. Jackson announced that they finished the reshoots recently on Secret Invasion, the next series in the MCU following She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. As its release in early 2023 creeps closer and closer in, fans are eager to learn more about this dark and mysterious thriller. Naturally, information remains hush-hush, including the alluringly undisclosed roles for Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, and more.
Via an interview with Comicbook.com, Kevin Feige has stated Secret Invasion will be far more intimate and insular compared to the massive crossover comics arc. Nevertheless, many fans are expecting some important new faces to pop up in the show as the Skrulls become even more prominent in the MCU. From Queen Veranke to Captain Britain, these characters serve a notable purpose in the source material and could become critical players in Secret Invasion and beyond.
Queen Veranke
In the comics, there is no secret Skrull invasion without Queen Veranke, a potential villain who could join the MCU. She rose to lead the Empire and launched the zealous crusade invading Earth to claim it as their new home. Over the years, the Skrulls had established sleeper agents all over the world, ready and waiting to strike. Though they were shown far more benevolently in Captain Marvel, the comic book storyline could still transpire on the Disney+, and it would be unsurprising for Veranke to be the main antagonist.
Many instinctively pointed to Emilia Clarke to take on the role, though that could alternatively fall on Carmen Ejogo. While it’s not the case in the comics, it could turn out that Talos and Soren’s daughter is actually Veranke, likely pitting father against daughter. Decades have passed canonically, so she’d be an adult and either Clarke or Ejogo would be a good fit for her.
Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)
There’s an exciting possibility linked with introducing Veranke that some fans might not be aware of. In the Secret Invasion comics arc, she infiltrates the Avengers as none other than Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman. That could very well mean that if Emilia Clarke is in the role of Veranke, she would naturally be the actress for Spider-Woman, too. Her involvement in the MCU wouldn’t be a one-and-done.
Spider-Woman is a very storied hero in the comics, and thankfully, the ownership of her rights is not as stringent as Spider-Man's. Marvel can supposedly use her if she’s not related to him, which gives hope for her introduction and possibly even a solo project sometime down the line. If it’s really Veranke posing as Jessica Drew throughout Secret Invasion, most likely the real Jessica would be introduced in the finale or as part of a post-credits stinger.
Hulkling
Another character many people feel certain about seeing in Secret Invasion is Hulkling. He’s a prominent teen hero and one of the few remaining members of the Young Avengers missing from the MCU along with Iron Lad and Noh-Varr. Beyond that, he is also beloved for his heartwarming relationship and eventual marriage with Wiccan. Hulking is an incredibly important hero and a Skrull who could play a significant role in Secret Invasion.
In fact, he is actually half-Skrull, half-Kree, and as the grandson of the Skrull Emperor, he is heir to Skrull Empire. That could put a target on his back, especially if Veranke’s the one calling the shots. At this point, there’s no confirmed cast member, who would fit the bill for Hulkling, but that should be a deterrent in hoping to see him soon.
Super-Skrull
Kingsley Ben-Adir had been announced as playing a significant but undisclosed antagonist in Secret Invasion, and if they’re looking for someone to play a role beyond the series, Kl’rt aka Super-Skrull would be the likely choice. He is a classic adversary to the Fantastic Four, so including him here could set him up as the villain for their film in Phase Six. Along with the natural Skrull ability to shapeshift, he was given the powers of the Fantastic Four, making him an incredibly formidable enemy.
Interestingly, Super-Skrull actually opposed Veranke’s endeavors in Secret Invasion, having become more of an anti-hero. Those dynamics could really be twisted in any way imaginable, but that might restrict Ben-Adir for the role. Luckily, there are other potential villains for him to play, like Titannus or Paibok, aka Power Skrull. Alternatively, Super-Skrull could be played by Killian Scott.
Captain Britain
Supposedly, Olivia Colman will be playing someone from Nick Fury’s past, possibly even his British equivalent, leading Excalibur or MI-13. Some fans have even pointed to the possibility that she could be related to heroes like Union Jack or Captain Britain. Given the latter’s overarching prevalence throughout the comic and connection to multiversal storytelling, Captain Britain would make for a fun and interesting inclusion in Secret Invasion.
The two most important Captain Britains were the twins, Brian and Betsy Braddock. Either could have a role in Secret Invasion and the MCU at large. They have served as agents for MI-13, are connected to Black Knight and the X-Men, and, like Spider-Woman, are logical choices for the Disney+ series. If they were to be introduced, it likely wouldn’t be as their fully-realized and costumed selves, but this would set that up.
Lyja
While most Skrulls have been the villains of various storylines, several have become somewhat heroic figures. One such character is Lyja, who, like Super-Skrull, is deeply linked with the Fantastic Four and has some extra special superpowers. At times, she’s deceived and fought against them, while at others, she’s been their allies – or in the case of Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, his wife.
With Skrulls being the central focus of Secret Invasion and a confirmed Fantastic Four movie coming up in late 2024, at the very least, there’ll likely be an eater egg or reference to Lyja. However, as it has been a trend for the Disney+ shows, Secret Invasion could introduce her in a minor or supporting role to set up more significant appearances farther down the line. This would also be a role either Emilia Clarke or Carmen Ejogo could play as well.
Abigail Brand
Back in 2019 at the last Comic-Con that Marvel attended until this year, Kevin Feige quickly slipped in the announcement that mutants and the X-Men are coming to the MCU. Ever since then, fans have been theorizing relentlessly about how they could come into play in nearly every single film and TV show. Thanks to the groundbreaking developments in Ms. Marvel, Secret Invasion could play a role in those plans by introducing Abigail Brand.
She is a mysterious character – a green-haired mutant-alien hybrid with pyrokinesis – and an important agent in S.W.O.R.D. Since that organization was introduced in WandaVision, that would make her involvement all the more likely. She was another name at the top of many fans' lists for who Emilia Clarke could play.
Empress R'Kill
Veranke was able to control the Skrull Empire after their home world was destroyed by Galactus. But their world's destruction is not how it’s been established in the MCU. Instead, their home was destroyed by the Kree during their war, which could’ve left a power vacuum, allowing Talos to become their leader. However, remnants of the Empire could still be out there, including Empress R’Kill.
R’Kill is the wife and murderer of Emperor Dorrek VII, mother to Princess Anelle, and thus grandmother to Hulkling. She isn’t active during the Secret Invasion arc in the comics but could play some role in the series, especially if Hulking is also introduced in a significant role. Again, she’s a character who could alternatively be referenced in the dialogue or an Easter egg.
Norman Osborn
An important thing to think about regarding Secret Invasion is what it sets up. The Marvels is probably the most closely related project following it, but the show could have other long-lasting implications for the expanding MCU. One such way would be by introducing this universe’s Norman Osborn. Of course, Willem Defoe masterfully reprised as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but Norman Osborn shouldn’t be relegated to just being a fantastic Spider-Man villain like Black Cat or Rhino.
In fact, his inclusion could showcase elements of him as a politician and business tycoon – something that wasn’t really explored in past portrayals. Importantly, he used the chaos that ensued during Secret Invasion to launch his own takeover and created the Dark Avengers. Christopher McDonald is set to appear in Secret Invasion and could be a good fit for this type of depiction which could involve him in Thunderbolts – though it could be pointed out that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine could serve a similar purpose.
Jazinda
With She-Hulk: Attorney at Law now up and running, fans are already wondering whether it will be a miniseries like WandaVision or if it will get a second season like Loki. If it’s the former, Secret Invasion could help by introducing one of She-Hulk’s favorite allies, Jazinda. She acts like an investigator and bounty hunter for She-Hulk, occasionally helping her out with a case here or there.
Jazinda is actually Super-Skrull's daughter, though they do not get along. Interestingly, the script could be flipped, and she could still be introduced in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law in a way to set up Secret Invasion. Regardless, when she does arrive, Jazinda would still be able to hold her own quite well and could take part in the massive battle expected to happen in Avengers: Secret Wars.