The Marvel Cinematic Universe could be gearing up for an adaptation of Secret Invasion, but which characters will be revealed to be Skrulls? Marvel Studios is slowly laying the foundation for the MCU to take a crack at Brian Michael Bendis' 2008 comic event. The comic series pitted heroes against one another in a plot of paranoia when it is revealed that the shape-shifting aliens known as Skrulls had taken the place of some major heroes. Black Bolt and Elektra are some of the first characters shown to be Skrulls, as they were replaced during the Skrulls' long plan to take over Earth.
The Skrulls' strategy for the conquest of humanity was rather simple: replace key people of power with one of their own to efficiently take down the hierarchy of Earth. Due to the Skrulls' ability to look exactly like anyone and replicate their powers through science, it became impossible to differentiate a Skrull from who they were impersonating. In some cases, the Skrulls were even unaware of the switch and truly believed they were the original versions of Marvel characters. The Secret Invasion story has everything the MCU could want from a big crossover event, and that's why many believe it's only a matter of time before it will happen.
Marvel Studios began planting seeds for Secret Invasion in Captain Marvel with the introduction of the Skrulls, although they are positioned as a sympathetic and peaceful race. However, a series of events that could come in the MCU's future could be the catalyst for their alliance with the heroes of Earth to switch. There are even rumors that a Secret Invasion Disney+ series is in development that will be tied to Captain Marvel 2. If the MCU's Secret Invasion is coming that soon, it will only be a matter of time before multiple Marvel characters are revealed to be Skrulls in disguise. But, which characters make sense to turn and would bring narrative weight to such a story?
Carol Danvers is one of the oldest allies to the Skrulls in the MCU, but she also represents a significant threat to their potential plans for an Earth takeover. After her origin story in 1995, there are nearly 30 years where Captain Marvel's whereabouts are unexplored. She was last seen at the end of Captain Marvel leaving with the Skrulls, so who's to say the Carol that returned in Avengers: Endgame wasn't a Skrull already? Perhaps this could even explain the slight personality and appearance differences between Carol's introduction and Endgame role. Even if Carol hasn't been a Skrull that entire time, the Skrulls know what she looks like and her powerset well enough to duplicate them any time they choose.
But, why would the Skrulls turn against Captain Marvel and use her image to further their plan? The obvious explanation is that this would mean Carol wouldn't be able to try and stop them. Without Captain Marvel around to protect Earth, the Skrulls would know it will be easier to take over the planet. Meanwhile, this decision also presents the MCU with a compelling narrative choice, as Skrull Carol and real Carol could struggle to realize which one is the real Captain Marvel, building off of Carol's origin story of learning who she really is.
The Skrulls could also potentially have taken the place of Clint Barton. There is a five-year gap after The Snap where he isn't seen, as well as what he was doing during The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron, that could be when the Skrulls would take his place. As one of the last original members of the Avengers, he could've been a target for the Skrulls for that reason. But, the intrigue with Hawkeye being a Skrull is more about what it'd mean for the characters, rather than him giving the Skrulls a big tactical advantage. Such a reveal would inevitably affect the Barton family, Wanda Maximoff, and even his future protege Kate Bishop, and it'd be a nice inverse on Hawkeye feeling betrayed by Mockingbird being a Skrull in the comic story.
In terms of a Skrull reveal that would have large ripples throughout the MCU, Nick Fury is one that makes sense from a narrative standpoint. He was introduced to the Skrulls in Captain Marvel but began working with them directly sometime after, with Spider-Man: Far From Home showing Fury with the Skrulls in space. The movie already showed that Talos could take Fury's place and no one would notice, which sparked theories that this happened in the past too. But, it's also now possible the Skrulls replace Fury with one of their own so they are in control of SWORD. Fury would also give the Skrulls someone who most heroes would trust, allowing him to divert attention elsewhere if need be.
Jane Foster is finally coming back to the MCU's story with Thor: Love and Thunder, and perhaps this is part of a larger plan ahead of Secret Invasion. She hasn't been anywhere to be seen in the MCU since Thor: The Dark World, but Jane will soon return to become Mighty Thor. It's possible that this time off-screen could've been filled with the Skrulls taking over Jane's life. This would make Jane becoming Thor all the more interesting, as a Skrull could then possess the power of Thor potentially if they were truly worthy. In that case, Jane being a Skrull would give the alien race another powerhouse on their side.
The Skrulls' interest in targeting high ranking members of Earth's hierarchy could zero in on Thunderbolt Ross as someone they'd like to replace. He is the Secretary of State in America and gives the Skrulls someone with access to The Raft, which could hold many other candidates to become Skrulls. Due to the limited role Ross has had in the MCU, there are plenty of opportunities for him to have been replaced. If his replacement came before Captain America: Civil War, then it could even add another reason for Ross wanting to be the one who has a say in where and when the Avengers can operate because of the Sokovia Accords.
Hank Pym could be another strong candidate to be a target of the Skrulls. He is a former hero, and member of SHIELD who's switch would have quite the impact on some key MCU heroes. Although the Skrulls could've taken over Hank back in the day, his decision to find a replacement with Scott Lang and help his daughter become Wasp is a bit counterproductive to the Skrulls' invasion plans. But, if the Skrull who has become Hank isn't aware of its true identity, then the alien aiding Earth by creating more heroes could be explained. It would also follow the comic's Secret Invasion, where Hank was revealed to be a Skrull.
The Skrulls attempt to take over Earth wouldn't just include replacing heroes, so Baron Zemo could be one of their targets too. The MCU could make this twist all the more fascinating, depending on when Zemo was replaced. Is it possible he has always been a Skrull in the movies? Such a reveal would retroactively put the Skrulls behind the Avengers breaking up due to Zemo's plan in Captain America: Civil War, with their destabilization giving the Skrulls an easier path to claim Earth. Of course, since they missed an opportunity to take advantage of that, Zemo being a Skrull could eventually put the leader of the Thunderbolts on the Skrulls' side.
It would also be intriguing to see Nakia revealed to be a Skrull. Since taking a member of Wakanda's Royal Family might be too challenging to pull off, the Skrulls could instead target someone with influence over their king. Nakia is a trusted ally of T'Challa and helped turn his mind around on Wakanda helping the world. Her history as a spy could even play nicely with the reveal that she's a double-agent working for the Skrulls. Plus, if the MCU doesn't plan on making Nakia a villain like she was in the comics, the Skrull twist would be a new way to pull off a similar turn.
