With the Secret Invasion series, Marvel trades superpowers for spies

(LA) A conspiracy hatched by aliens, Oscar-winning actors and almost no superheroes on the horizon: Marvel takes a new turn with Secret Invasionspy thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, Olivia Colman and Emilia Clarke.

The series, which is released on June 21 on the Disney+ platform, marks the 14^e participation of Samuel L. Jackson in a Marvel movie or series. But this is the first time that Nick Fury, to whom he lends his features, is the undisputed star.

This mysterious character, sometimes the boss of the mighty Avengers, first appeared on screen in 2008 in Iron Man – the feature film launched the Marvel franchise, which has since become a true Hollywood titan.

Despite these prestigious debuts, the new series “ranks first, when it comes to the projects in which I have participated in the Marvel universe in the cinema”, estimated Samuel L. Jackson Wednesday during a press conference.

“It’s the story of people doing normal things, without all these superheroes coming to save them,” the actor said.

In Secret InvasionNick Fury, American spymaster, confronts reptilian humanoids in many forms named Skrulls – who have already appeared in other Marvel films – who live among us and seek to start a war between Moscow and Washington.

As if the task weren’t complicated enough, he also has to deal with British spy Sonya Falsworth, played by Olivia Colman, who seems to relish playing a character with questionable morals, especially in a particularly torture scene. difficult.

“Sonya works for MI6 (British foreign intelligence service, editor’s note). She likes to wear red, is kind of funny and maybe not that nice sometimes,” the actress joked, careful not to reveal plot details.

The presence of Olivia Colman, Oscar winner for The Favorite (2018), and Samuel L. Jackson, who received an honorary Oscar last year, is a major distribution feat for Marvel.

They are joined by Emilia Clarke, star of the phenomenon series Game Of Throneswho plays a rebel Skrull, as well as franchise regulars such as Don Cheadle, Martin Freeman and Ben Mendelsohn.

Marvel in Troubled Waters

But Secret Invasion comes at a time of uncertainty for Marvel.

Since the huge success of Avengers: Endgamewhich briefly became the most profitable film in history in 2019, the Disney parent company flooded dark rooms and television screens with some 18 Marvel films or series.

Not everything went as planned.

Recent works such as The Eternals, Thor: Love and Thunder Or Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniahave been badly criticized.

The franchise introduced a new villain, Kang, played by Jonathan Majors. Except that the actor, accused by a woman of harassment and assault, was arrested and charged in March.

On Tuesday, Disney announced that the release of several Marvel films, including Avengers: The Kang Dynastywould be postponed for a year.

The production of series has also slowed down: Secret Invasion is the first novelty in nearly a year.

Despite everything, its director Ali Selim promised fans a breath of fresh air.

He said he was inspired by spy thrillers like Secret Conversationby Francis Ford Coppola, or The Third Manwritten by Graham Greene.

Influences far removed from the world of superheroes, as Ali Selim noted: “It’s very different from people flying through the air.”