How Marvel’s Biggest TV Flop Could Have Rescued the Franchise

Overview of Recent Developments in the MCU

Secret Invasion’s disappointment has triggered significant adjustments within Marvel Studios, influencing upcoming films and series.
Following the backlash against Secret Invasion, the Armor Wars script is undergoing substantial rewrites, diverging from its initial concept.
Marvel Studios is reducing its project volume post-Secret Invasion to enhance quality and focus on crucial narratives.

Secret Invasion may be an MCU venture best forgotten, yet it seems to have inadvertently catalyzed a positive transformation within the franchise. The mixed to negative reviews of this Disney+ series appear to have instigated a creative reassessment at Marvel Studios, potentially reshaping the direction of future films and television projects.

Launched in June 2023, the six-episode miniseries followed characters Nick Fury and Talos, a shape-shifting alien Skrull. They sought to uncover a conspiracy by rogue Skrulls aiming to dominate Earth through human impersonation. Unfortunately, Secret Invasion encountered various obstacles, such as subpar writing, visual effects, and pacing. Crucially, certain plot developments, including the controversial Skrull Rhodey twist, created continuity issues for the broader MCU.

Consequences of Secret Invasion

Armor Wars Script Revisions Prompted by Backlash

Secret Invasion Finale Rotten Tomatoes Score

According to a report by industry insider DanielRPK, the Armor Wars script is undergoing dramatic revisions as a response to the feedback from Secret Invasion. Initially revealed in September 2022, Armor Wars featured James Rhodes, aka War Machine, tasked with protecting Stark Industries from adversaries aiming to misuse Tony Stark’s technological legacy. However, recent rumors suggest a complete overhaul of this narrative, with the film’s release potentially pushed beyond Secret Wars.

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This reflects ongoing adaptations surrounding the Armor Wars narrative, which transitioned from a six-episode series to a feature-length film. In an October 2024 interview with TVLine, Don Cheadle commented on the significant changes:

“Yeah. I think the word that’s the most salient in that sentence is ‘switched.’ [Laughs] I don’t know, I’m not sure where anything is right now. I think things are going through a lot of changes, and we’ll see what happens, we’ll see what it is.”

Potential budget challenges, particularly concerning the extensive use of Tony Stark’s armors, might have made a television format unfeasible. Furthermore, there was a possibility to adapt an Armor Wars storyline linked to the Secret Wars comic event of 2015.

Impact of Secret Invasion on Armor Wars

Will Marvel Address the Skrull Rhodey Twist?

The complications arising from Secret Invasion notably involve Rhodey’s character being replaced by a Skrull impersonator. Although the show did not fully realize its potential or leave a profound impact on the MCU, this particular change poses narrative challenges for the franchise. Consequently, Rhodey’s appearances post-Endgame will require closer examination, and Armor Wars will likely need to rectify these inconsistencies.

Kevin Feige says “SECRET INVASION will directly lead into ‘ARMOR WARS’.” #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/qCyN68VtJm

— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) September 10, 2022

Marvel’s decision regarding the Skrull Rhodey twist remains to be seen. With a hefty budget of $212 million, the miniseries was a critical and financial letdown. Despite decent viewership, it failed to justify its expenditure, made worse by reported production challenges that included the dismissal of key personnel.

Restructuring Armor Wars Elements into New Initiatives

Changes in Rhodey’s Narrative Following the Skrull Twist

If Armor Wars had adhered to its original premise of Rhodey uncovering Stark technology falling into dangerous hands, it could have better integrated with the MCU’s overarching plans. Characters like Riri Williams (Ironheart) might have played pivotal roles, and the potential return of Ultron alongside storylines involving Damage Control reinvigorating Stark AI systems could have enriched the narrative. However, the disruptions caused by Secret Invasion necessitated a reevaluation of the film’s foundation.

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Current developments reflect these adjustments, visible in recent content like What If…? Season 3. In the episode “What If… The Emergence Destroyed the Earth?”, elements of the Armor Wars plot were adapted to depict a scenario where Mysterio harnesses Stark Industries for his gains. Moreover, storylines linked to Stark AI systems and the anticipated return of Ultron are poised to feature in the newly announced Vision Quest, slated for release in either 2026 or 2027. Given how these story concepts have been disseminated across various projects, it is unlikely that Marvel will revert to the original Armor Wars vision.

Impact of Secret Invasion on Marvel’s Strategic Approach

Emphasis on Quality Over Quantity in Productions

Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury

How does this shift benefit Marvel Studios? In recent years, the franchise has inundated audiences with content, particularly in the post-Endgame landscape. The failure of Secret Invasion seems to have prompted Marvel to reassess its excesses, leading to a more measured project rollout. In 2024, the franchise boasted just one MCU film, Deadpool & Wolverine, which proved both financially successful and critically lauded. Going forward, Marvel plans to limit releases to two or three films annually alongside a reduction in Disney+ series, aiming for enhanced quality.

This new approach also applies to previously unconfirmed Marvel projects. For instance, rumors indicated that Emilia Clarke’s G’iah from Secret Invasion was expected to appear in a spinoff focused on Excalibur—a British hero ensemble that would include Captain Britain and Kit Harington’s Black Knight. However, given the failure of Secret Invasion, this project has likely been either shelved or quietly canceled.

Focusing on Doomsday & Secret Wars as MCU Priorities

Possibility of Non-Essential Projects Reviving in the X-Men Era

This adjustment aligns with Marvel’s current strategy of giving less priority to non-essential projects, directing resources toward the principal story arcs of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. This focus may ultimately benefit the MCU, as these lesser projects are not permanently shelved but may resurface when Marvel pivots towards X-Men narratives following Secret Wars. Concepts like Midnight Suns appear more feasible avenues for characters like Black Knight and Mahershala Ali’s Blade.

The forthcoming Daredevil: Born Again is set to be the first major release under Marvel’s refined television strategy. Meanwhile, some initiatives like Ironheart seem to stem from the previous rushed development cycle, raising uncertainty about their future. Although the deferral of projects like Armor Wars is disappointing, Marvel’s restructuring may pave the way for superior content quality down the line.

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