Spoilers for the first episode ofSecret InvasionEven though Cobie Smulders' Maria Hill seemingly died inSecret Invasion, she is still rumored to appear in Brie Larson’sThe Marvels.
It’s well known that comic book characters never stay dead. That has stayed relatively true for the MCU as well. Phil Coulson returned from the dead inMarvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Nick Fury faked his death inCaptain America: Winter Soldierand returned later in the movie. Gamoradied inAvengers: Infinity Warand returned via an alternate timeline afterAvengers: Endgame. Vision also died inInfinity War, returned inWandaVision, and has now become White Vision and will appear in his own projectVision Quest. Then there is Loki, who cheated death more times than anyone else.
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Fans who watched the first episode ofSecret Invasionmay have been shocked by the ending whereMaria Hill was shot and seemingly killedby Nick Fury. It was revealed quickly after that it was the Skrull named Gravik played by Kingsley Ben-Adir disguised as Nick Fury. Hill’s death becomes more confusing because Smulders, who has played the character in six films and three series, will play the character again in theCaptain Marvelsequel titledThe Marvels(perThe Hollywood Reporter), which releases in November 2023.
It has yet to be confirmed ifThe Marvelstakes place before or afterSecret Invasion. Samuel L. Jackson recently toldEmpire Magazinehow both MCU projects are connected. “This series has to happen so that The Marvels can happen. All these things are connected in an interesting sort of way,” Jackson said. This suggestsThe Marvelstakes place afterSecret Invasionbut not necessarily.
The Marvelscould still take place afterSecret Invasion. MCU films have not always appeared in chronological order. Most notably,Captain America: The First AvengerandCaptain Marvelare set well before any movie released before them. However, the situation is likely similar toAnt-Man and the Wasp, which took place right beforeAvengers: Infinity War,although it was released after.Ant-Man and The Waspwas important because its ending would have spoiledInfinity Warbut still set upEndgame.
IfThe Marvelsdoes take place afterSecret Invasion,that could still make sense. As mentioned, countless characters have returned from the dead in the MCU. Two of these characters were SHIELD agents like Hill, so her return is possible. Alternatively, Maria Hill might not return and instead be a Skrull like inSpider-Man: Far From Home. Although in that film, the Skrull disguised as her was Talos' wife, who is also dead. So it would have to be another friendly Skrull, which seems hard to come by these days.
Secret Invasionepisode 1 is currently streaming on Disney Plus.
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