Warning: The following contains full spoilers for Secret Invasion. You can read our spoiler-free review of the finale right here.
Marvel’s Secret Invasion has wrapped up its six-episode run, prompting fans to share new theories about Rhodey, Armor Wars, and possible connections to other MCU projects.
Week after week, Secret Invasion had viewers second-guessing everyone and everything in their pursuit to follow the breadcrumbs left behind by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury as he worked to unravel a vast conspiracy involving clandestine alien invaders. While the finale offered some answers, it also posed new questions.
Proceed with caution! You’re about to enter MAJOR spoiler territory.
After it came to light that a Skrull imposter had replaced James “Rhodey” Rhodes, fans started to consider when the Skrull-switch may have occurred and how long the shapeshifter had been around for, especially after Kevin Feige confirmed Rhodey was a Skrull in other appearances before Secret Invasion.
The season finale brought these questions back to the surface as Skrull Rhodey got shot, and human Rhodey emerged in a facility wearing a hospital gown. He had the support of two soldiers, leading many to believe a Skrull replaced Rhodey after Captain America: Civil War, and he doesn’t know about Tony Stark’s death.
So all this time that wasn’t Tony’s best friend at his funeral it was some random alien this fucking sucks https://t.co/q4JrqvbJ6w pic.twitter.com/3E18ZqcRNB
— Mari ? (@ComicLoverMari) July 26, 2023
I got a theory about the @SecretInvasion finale, the real Rhodey was in a hospital gown and was unable to walk, so I am guessing this is civil war era Rhodey, and like Gamora will have NO knowledge of the last 10 years, so he will not be aware Tony is dead.
— Luci Morningstar (@LuciM79) July 26, 2023
It’s wild that Rhodey has been missing since Civil War. That means he missed out on allot of years & don’t know anything about what’s been going on since then. #SecretInvasion https://t.co/ZZNyWG1WdL
— Michael Junior (@MrMichaelBlack5) July 27, 2023
‘Civil War’ (2016) / ‘Secret Invasion’ (2023) pic.twitter.com/m9OF4hnCtq
— Marvel Diário (@MarvelDiarioPT) July 27, 2023
After watching #SecretInvasion finale I think this means “Rhodes” was a Skrull from Civil war? If so he doesn’t really know Stark and Widow sacrificed themselves? ?
— Steve (Gwalla) ? (@CaliBoyRez) July 27, 2023
WAIT i just realized if rhodey was being abducted after Civil War means he doesn’t know tony is dead??? omg?? #SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/jT89N72QOQ
— onur ᱬ (@wandasrep) July 27, 2023
However, others argued that Rhodey wearing the hospital gown was purely a coincidence, and it doesn’t necessarily signal he has been a Skrull since Civil War, especially if Gravik set his plans in motion after Endgame. Tracing it back, some felt the Skrull-swap occurred before The Falcon and the Winter Solider.
They are not even wearing the same hospital uniform so the “Rhodey was replaced after Civil War” theory doesn’t stand #SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/6Xs10zk43p
— জিৎ লাহা stands with SAG and WGA (he/him ?? ?) (@laha_jeet) July 27, 2023
It’s a simple theory, Rhodey decided to get some surgery for his legs to make them perfect. Bad news he got abducted by Skrulls and got himself locked, and this all happened after his last appearance on Falcon series. So before Secret Invasion, Rhodey was the Real Rhodey, the end
— NatureLover (@SoloNatureMan) July 27, 2023
Let’s get one #SecretInvasion thing straight, Rhodey has not been a Skrull since Civil War as Gravik’s plan only started after Endgame. My theory is that it was some time before TFATWS as that’s where we first see him without leg braces. The hospital gown was probably a checkup.
— Dude8 (@Dude82008) July 27, 2023
I refuse to believe Rhodey was a Skrull in Avengers: Infinity War or Endgame#SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/FmLjXaCEMA
— BLURAYANGEL ? (@blurayangel) July 26, 2023
Secret Invasion: The Skrulls only started abducting people after they became disgruntled with Nick Fury after the blip
People on Twitter: RHODEY HAS BEEN A SKRULL SINCE CIVIL WAR!!! (Years before they became disgruntled with Nick Fury)
— minerva moments ?️⚧️ (@ItsEmmyUwU) July 27, 2023
“Rhodey’s been a Skrull since Civil War, because he wears a hospital gown in that and the real Rhodey is found also wearing one in Secret Invasion. Ignore that there was no Gravik faction at that time to make that make sense, or the alternate logical explanations.” pic.twitter.com/POB1UjGtHO
— Stu (@slfricky) July 27, 2023
Whatever the case, Marvel appears to be setting the stage for Rhodey’s biggest MCU role to date. Don Cheadle is headlining Armor Wars, a movie that will presumably see Rhodey picking up the pieces of his life to step out as War Machine, battling rogue villains and nations while making use of ill-gotten Iron Man tech.
Other MCU projects on the horizon could also have ties to Secret Invasion, with The Marvels up for discussion after Fury learned that the Kree want to make peace with the Skrulls. However, these plans could be thwarted by Zawe Ashton’s villainous Dar-Benn, who may not be up for a reunion with the Kree’s ancient enemy.
Anyone saying that #JamesRhodes being a Skrull since Civil War destroys his character is just wrong.
This opens up massive new story potential for him, the trauma, regret, and rage he’ll feel about what he missed.
This makes me so excited for #ArmorWars #SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/f2OVChTgXl
— Nerdtastic1221 (@Nerdtastic1221) July 27, 2023
After Secret Invasion I’m WAY more interested in Armor Wars. They’ll obviously have to give us the whole story of what went down with Rhodey, and the state of the world following the Secret Invasion finale is a great stage for what he could be doing in Armor Wars.
— NV (@NVPlays) July 27, 2023
Now move forward post #SecretInvasion, I think we just get a tiny glimpse as to what will happen in #TheMarvels when they mention Kree is open for a peace talk with the Skrulls. I honestly don’t mind if see Charlayne Woodard’s Varra appear in The Marvels.
— Ahmad Muhammad (@AhmadMuhammad97) July 27, 2023
The way people are saying Secret Invasion was unnecessary but… it sets up Armor Wars, The Marvels, Brand New World, maybe even Fantastic Four if Giah stays the Super Skrull
— ryan ? (@lmolmsupremacy) July 27, 2023
Where some of the storylines from #SecretInvasion are/could play in
Skrulls & Kree peace talking – The Marvels
Rhodey being impersonated by a Skrull – Armor Wars
Ritson’s attack on Skrulls – Brave New World or Thunderbolts
As for G’iah we have no clue when she’ll pop up again pic.twitter.com/ymAdjwNIzO
— Owen (@OwennZo) July 27, 2023
The Marvels is the next entry in Phase Five of the MCU, with the Captain Marvel sequel seeing Brie Larson reprising her role as Carol Danvers alongside Iman Vellani, who stars as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris, who portrays grown-up Monica Rambeau, as the cosmic trio takes flight on the big-screen on November 10.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
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