Is MCU Killing Itself With Bad Movies, Paving The Way For A New Era Of Superheroes?

A polarizing MCU release from 2023 can foreshadow the future course of the franchise’s superteams, from government support to antihero participation.

Secret Invasion polarized Marvel Cinematic Universe fans when its six-episode run concluded in 2023 but its final episode has significant repercussions for the future of Avengers in the franchise. The series followed S.H.I.E.L.D. head honcho Nick Fury investigating a conspiracy of militant Skrulls blending among humans. Aided by Skrull allies like G’iah and her father Talos, Fury tracked down the fanatic factions led by Gravik who eventually got killed in the series finale. But Gravik’s death doesn’t end the Skrull threat as the Secret Invasion ending implies that many Skrulls following his ideology of threatening humanity are still on Earth.

The miniseries set a tense environment for the MCU considering even a veteran Avenger like James “Rhodey” Rhodes was a Skrull all along since the events of Captain America: Civil War. As Rhodes regains his military and superhero responsibilities, he must also confront a new Avengers lineup, one that is marked by the absence of Iron Man and Steve Rogers’ Captain America. Following the events of TheFalcon and the Winter Soldier, it’s up to Sam Wilson to wield Captain America’s shield and lead a team in a world divided between humans, friendly Skrulls like G’iah and the Gravik-worshipping Skrulls.

The Secret Invasion Finale Sets Up The New Avengers Logic

A State-Sponsored Avengers Might Be Set Up To Quell The Skrull Threat

Despite the original Avengers having ideological differences over US government control, a Pentagon-controlled Avengers might be the solution to quell the “alien threats” teased in the Secret Invasion finale. A vigilante war against the Gravik-aligned Skrulls is bound to take place in future MCU releases. As is evident from General Ross joining forces with Sam Wilson in Captain America: Brave New World, the US government is most likely to reclaim the Avengers initiative and set up its own sponsored version. The post-Secret Invasion world needs superhuman protectors and the government to come together to counter the Skrulls that threaten humanity.

However, this government control wouldn’t be a good move for all Avengers as the United States has also waged war against unlicensed superheroes from other planets. Secret Invasion hinted at Marvel’s Siege storyline by foreshadowing a war over other-worldly Avengers like the Asgardians. Following the destruction of their homeland, the Asgardians found a new home in Norway under the leadership of Valkyrie and Thor. But considering that American President Ritson announced an emergency bill designating all “off-world born species enemy combatants”, the state-sponsored Avengers might have to go against allies like the Asgardians. A second MCU civil war might follow.

Secret Invasion Also Better Explains The Thunderbolts

A Secret Kill Squad Can Do The Covert Work That The Avengers Can’t

While the new Avengers take shape in 2025 MCU releases, the year will also bear witness to the Thunderbolts in the movie of the same name. The antihero team’s debut makes perfect sense considering they can eliminate the Skrulls in covert operations. The government is already aware of Skrulls disguising themselves as humans. With Thunderbolts members like Bucky Barnes, John “U.S. Agent” Walker, and Yelena Belove having significant black-ops experience, they can easily be relied on to eliminate Skrull threats all over the world. To put it in simpler terms, Thunderbolts can do what the Avengers can’t be seen doing.

Interestingly enough, the Thunderbolts have been involved in killing Skrulls in the comics. When Norman Osborn headed the team, he killed the Skrull queen and successfully ended a battle against the Skrulls in New York. The American President went on to reward Osborn with high-ranking defense positions, putting him in charge of government operations like S.H.I.E.L.D. and Project Pegasus. While the fifth Thor movie can introduce MCU’s Norman Osborn with its influences from the “Siege” storyline (in which he again played the villain), the Thunderbolts can still effectively kill Skrulls with or without Osborn’s leadership.