Marvel Studios’ upcoming Disney+ series, Secret Invasion, is set to debut on June 21, and according to the director Ali Selim, the series’ MCU villain will be more complex than a typical one-dimensional character. The series follows the pre-Endgame political narratives involving Earth-based governments fighting against otherworldly threats, and it features familiar faces, such as Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, as well as Kingsley Ben-Adir as the latest MCU villain, Gravik.
The Skrull Extremist And His Real-World Motives
The show’s villain is an extremist Skrull named Gravik, who leads a group that has broken away from the one led by Talos (played by Mendelsohn) due to unfulfilled promises. Speaking to Empire, Selim explained that Gravik’s motives are rooted in real-world political complexities, stating, “Who is a terrorist and why are they a terrorist? Especially here in the States, it’s easy to say we’re the good guys and they’re the terrorists. The interesting thing for me is to ask: how did we as a nation state influence the environment these people come from?”
Gravik’s Story
Selim also shared that Gravik’s story and how he came to his grievance will be explored in the show, emphasizing that he is not just a one-dimensional “bad guy with a bomb.” While Secret Invasion is an espionage thriller with Cold War influences, Selim also noted that the series “refers to our times today.”
The Importance Of A Great Villain
As the adage goes, “a hero is only as good as its villain.” With Samuel L. Jackson in his first leading role as Nick Fury, Secret Invasion needs a strong and relatable villain. Although Gravik is not as well-known as some of the MCU’s most iconic villains like Kang or Thanos, a villain who is fighting for a muddied moral high ground can be just as formidable. Secret Invasion’s paranoia may also extend to the question of who is truly in the right.
What We Know About Gravik
Gravik and his Skrull extremists reportedly operate out of Russia, and they are shown to be based at a nuclear power plant in series footage. Additionally, Ben-Adir’s character has been shown to possess unusual abilities, suggesting that the Skrulls may be developing a device to create Super Skrulls.
In conclusion, Secret Invasion’s villain has the potential to not only be a worthy challenger but also a memorable one that will make audiences think, thanks to his complex backstory and real-world inspirations.
