It was supposed to be Marvel’s biggest Disney+ new series for the year, but “Secret Invasion” has ended up becoming emblematic of the various issues and fan blowback the MCU has faced in post-Endgame times.
SPOILERS AHEAD FOR “SECRET INVASION”
Critics were mixed, whilst fans have been outright angry with the series for its various creative choices, especially over the ending with a Super Skrull now out in the world with massive superpowers.
A lot of backlash has also arisen over two key character deaths – Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill and Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos. Both were well-liked characters who’ve had key roles in past MCU works.
The show’s director Ali Selim recently spoke with The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast and said he understands fans were going to have strong feelings about the choice to kill off these characters. In terms of Maria Hill’s death, he says:
“If there was a debate, it happened before I showed up. And that was the big turn at the end of episode one. And my job was to make it emotional and truthful and an appropriate goodbye to her.
I don’t know how the conversation began, but I’m sure that there will be ongoing conversations about bringing her back. This story takes place in 2023 – if they made a movie that takes place in 2021, she’ll be there, of course.”
As for killing off Talos, that was something that served the story:
“I think it’s a really good story point. I think it’s the story that we’re telling about Nick Fury and his sense of loss and the stakes that drive him and motivate him towards the ending of the story and beyond.
So again, being a storyteller, my mind goes to what is best for the story. And again, it wasn’t my idea. It was there on the page — something that they had discussed in advance.
And who knows why, right? There could be contractual reasons that conversation started. But when you read it, I realize it is a really good story point for the midpoint of [Fury’s] arc.”
“Secret Invasion” recently wrapped its six-episode run on Disney+ with the entire season available now.
