In Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series “Secret Invasion,” aliens are living among us, and Ben Mendelsohn assures viewers that the show, which premieres on June 21, more than lives up to its name.
You need an invasion to have a hidden invasion, right? What is the purpose? Do you intend to refer to it as a “Secret Attempted Invasion”? “Invasion: Secret Nearly Got There?” “Bloodline” actor and Emmy winner says with a chuckle. “Definitely, something has gotten in.”
Mendelsohn reteams with “Captain Marvel” co-star Samuel L. Jackson for the six-episode series, which sees Jackson’s superspy and Marvel Cinematic Universe founding member Nick Fury returning from space to thwart a faction of shape-shifting green-skinned Skrulls’ attempts to infiltrate positions of power all over the world.
According to Mendelsohn, who plays Skrull good guy Talos, “Secret Invasion” is still very much a classic Cold War paranoia thriller told via a Marvel superhero lens. “This is one that adults will like. That is mental. I’m hoping it turns out to be one of their best efforts.
The 2019 film “Captain Marvel,” which takes place in the 1990s and features Brie Larson’s superpowered Carol Danvers, is where the seeds of “Secret Invasion” were initially planted. Carol and Nick first believe Talos’ Skrull troop is evil when they arrive on Earth in human form. However, his people are actually intergalactic refugees seeking new lands after losing theirs in a conflict with the Kree. The next time Mendelsohn’s character appeared was in “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” Talos usurped Fury’s place on Earth in the present while the real Nick was out in space attempting to assist the Skrulls in finding a home.
That mission hasn’t been very successful when “Secret Invasion” opens, which prompts a radical group of Skrulls to act on their own. Talos, who established a home for himself on Earth, is “very committed to trying to make things work,” according to Mendelsohn. However, “things have been a little difficult” in the wake of “Avengers: Endgame,” as the planet struggles to stabilise in a post-Thanos environment. Without a doubt, Talos wants Fury to take the lead.
Fury’s old S.H.I.E.L.D. coworker Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Avenger/military James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), and former CIA operative Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) are all back on the programme. As Sonya Falsworth, an MI6 agent and former ally of Fury, Olivia Colman is the newest Oscar winner to join the Marvel family. Kingsley Ben-Adir makes his acting debut as Gravik, the Skrull adversary directing the invasion. Gravik multiplies himself in a cool and scary way in the “Secret Invasion” trailer, but “then he gets to deal with Talos. Mendelsohn hints, “And Talos ain’t having any of that.
The show offers at least two bits for Marvel continuity nerds, Mendelsohn says. G’iah (Emilia Clarke) is a grownup version of Talos’ young daughter from “Captain Marvel,” but she might not be totally aligned with her dad. “Emilia is awesome in this,” Mendelsohn says. And, echoing his role in that previous movie, Talos again takes the human form of former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Keller in order to work with Fury in plain sight.
Mendelsohn, who along with Jackson formed an entertaining duo, claims that Talos and Fury’s relationship is “really not good” and is somewhat tighter than it has ever been. I’m not sure if (Talos) is Abbott to his Costello, but it’s something that the audience will appreciate without losing sight of how dire things become.
Mendelsohn was thrilled to collaborate with Jackson once more. The Australian actor claims that while “he is a very cool and fun guy,” he is also “the most significant blockbuster performer in the history of the human race. He is a joy, doesn’t talk back to people, and isn’t harsh.
And Jackson gave Mendelsohn one of his favourite set experiences with an impromptu Marvel duet during a break on the set.
Mendelsohn explains, “We were waiting to take a shot while sitting on the sidelines. I occasionally bring speakers to work. ‘Poison Ivy’ starts playing when I’m playing Coasters. Now I am familiar with that music. Sam is more familiar with that music. Sam begins to sing. I begin to sing. Sam correctly remembers every phrase; I might have forgotten one or two.
There is nothing better, so forget about it. The good life is that.
