1 Of The MCU's First Characters Could Be Secret Invasion’s Best Skrull Reveal

Marvel is sure to include plenty of major reveals in the upcoming series Secret Invasion, not the least of which could be the surprise revelation that one of its very first characters has been a Skrull imposter all along. As the first Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ project in Phase 5, the Samuel L. Jackson-led miniseries will have a high bar to set in keeping audiences interested in its ongoing plot and its overall importance to the overarching Multiverse Saga. Perhaps the best way Secret Invasion can do this is by revealing James Rhodes, the War Machine, to secretly be a Skrull in disguise.

Skrulls were first introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2019's Captain Marvel, which displayed their ability to seamlessly shapeshift into any form, sometimes taking the place of prominent individuals. Though the film's Skrulls were later proven to be altruistic refugees, Secret Invasion aims to introduce more sinister Skrulls to the franchise, including some that may have been hiding under humanity's nose for years, masquerading as friendly faces while secretly serving their own nefarious purposes. Especially given the nature of the Disney+ show's comic book source material, it has become quite clear that the MCU - and several of its core characters - will be forever changed by the events therein.

Secret Invasion Needs To Have Major Skrull Reveals

Split Image: Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) poses in promotional image; Skrull looks off into the distance

In order for Secret Invasion to have genuine stakes in the grander Marvel Cinematic Universe, the series absolutely must contain at least one, if not more, earth-shattering reveals in store for audiences. Especially given the mixed feedback of Phase 4, Marvel Studios has to work tirelessly to prove that their stories can still be both compelling and surprising. And while certain fan theories have contested that characters like Secretary Thaddeus Ross, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and Sharon Carter have secretly been Skrulls all along, the series is still in need of an even bigger shock to prove its franchise-shaking nature and establish its place in the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While it may seem somewhat lofty a goal for the series, Secret Invasion's best twist would include a prominent Avenger being revealed as a Skrull imposter. The 2008 comic book storyline on which the series is based proved to be so compelling because readers truly believed that anyone could actually have been replaced with an alien lookalike. Major Avengers like Hank Pym and Spider-Woman proved to be members of the Skrull invasion, begging that the live-action adaptation follow suit, with major characters like Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, or Captain America being revealed as Skrulls. Such a reveal would change the MCU forever and give Secret Invasion lasting aftereffects.

Why Rhodey Is Secret Invasion's Best Possible Skrull Reveal

As heartbreaking as such a revelation might be, James Rhodes is the best possible Skrull reveal in the upcoming series. The first Secret Invasion trailer confirmed that Don Cheadle will indeed be returning as Rhodey, putting the character high on the list of possible Skrull imposters. Though the extent of his role in Secret Invasion hasn't been revealed yet, his presence alone is meant to cause audiences to wonder if really is who he claims to be. While the fact that Marvel is returning to Rhodey's original MCU role as a bureaucrat is intriguing, it certainly isn't inconceivable that the longtime Avenger's Skrull reveal will be Secret Invasion's biggest twist.

Rhodey's reveal would be a perfect choice for Secret Invasion's final episodes, especially given his prominent and longstanding tenure in the MCU. Originating in 2008's Iron Man, the very first project in the MCU, Rhodey's role in the franchise predates many of the most recognizable Avengers, including Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk. As a result, Rhodey has become a comforting character whom viewers can trust, which would make his reveal as a Skrull even more shocking and upsetting. Such a reveal would also explain why the MCU chose to include Rhodey's Phase 5 return in Secret Invasion rather than in another upcoming project via a genuinely surprising plot twist.

The most important element behind Rhodey's Skrull revelation comes as a result of the nature of his role in the franchise. While War Machine has been involved in many of the Avengers' biggest operations, he's never been at the center of attention, usually staying to the side while his more prominent superhero friends have made the biggest movements of the MCU. This would make Rhodey's ultimate betrayal feel less contrived than another, more popular Avenger's would, keeping his backstory from growing messy and overly convoluted. Despite being a supporting character, War Machine is still a mighty Avenger in his own right, making him the perfect choice for a Skrull reveal.

When Rhodey Might Have Been Replaced By A Skrull

Skrull screams in rage in Secret Invasion trailer

If Secret Invasion does indeed reveal War Machine to be a Skrull in disguise, the naturally ensuing question is when exactly Rhodey was switched out with an alien imposter. It is reasonable to assume that the character has not been a Skrull throughout all of his MCU appearances, but was rather replaced at a specific point after it became clear that he could be of use to the Skrull Empire's planned invasion. If this is the case, audiences should expect Secret Invasion to address the exact moment that Rhodey was targeted, carefully retconing War Machine's MCU history, reframing it in the context of his covert alien espionage.

The most striking possibility for the timing of Rhodey's replacement would also patch a decade-long detail from the early days of the MCU, in that Don Cheadle was not the first actor to portray Rhodey in the MCU, but replaced Terrence Howard for Iron Man 2, carrying on the role throughout the rest of the franchise. This discrepancy has gone mostly unaddressed by the characters in the MCU, who continued on as if there was little difference in Rhodey's appearance. And, while the behind-the-scenes reasons Don Cheadle replaced Howard as War Machine are known, the space between Iron Man movies could make a fun meta-nod to the recast.

Another possibility proves to be less of a meta-nod to behind-the-scenes shakeups and more strategic for the MCY. It is possible that Rhodey was replaced far more recently, perhaps during the time between Endgame and the beginning of Phase 4. This would allow for all of Rhodey's previous actions in the MCU to remain his own, while also making it possible for the Skrulls to wreak havoc using War Machine's reputation. This would also explain the character's sudden shift to politics in recent years, as it appears as though the post-Endgame War Machine seems tied to government affairs, giving the Skrulls a high-level position in human politics and thereby far more power.

How Armor Wars Can Still Happen If Rhodey Is Revealed To Be A Skrull

The existence of James Rhodes's solo MCU project Armor Wars - which is largely expected to take place after the events of Secret Invasion - may seem to omit the character's Skrull reveal, but this doesn't necessarily have to be the case if Marvel Studios plays its cards wisely. In fact, the comic book storyline on which the Disney+ series is based provides the perfect explanation as to how Rhodey can be revealed as a Skrull and still be around for Armor Wars, which will most likely be one of several movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 6. In fact, this tragic reveal could even serve to further edify Armor Wars' plot.

The 2008 Secret Invasion comic event managed to bypass some of the consequences of its many major Avengers replacements by revealing that the Skrull Empire did not kill the people they replaced. Rather, these characters were held captive in a space station during the invasion, and were later returned to Earth after the Skrulls' defeat. Such an event could easily be in the cards for the MCU's depiction of the event, allowing for Rhodey and any other captives to return safe and sound to appear in future movies at Marvel Studios' whim. Such a plot point could then be directly tied into the plot of War Machine's Armor Wars title.

Having Rhodey return from a Skrull prison at the end of Secret Invasion sets his character up for a very compelling arc in Armor Wars. Not only would the audience be forced to play catch up with his character, Rhodey would be forced to reeducate himself in the new state of the world and everything his doppleganger did while assuming his face. Grappling with the stress of his kidnapping and replacement would add an extra element to his arc in Armor Wars, giving audiences even greater reason to identify with his character therein. Not only would Armor Wars deal with Iron Man's legacy, but also that of War Machine.

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