1 Phase 4 Moment Hints The Exact Point The Skrulls Replaced That Avenger

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion. A specific scene in Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 hints when that Secret Invasion Avenger was replaced by a Skrull. Nick Fury comes back to Earth after years of working on SABER. Unfortunately, the world isn't any safer, with human beings on the cusp of being invaded by shape-shifting aliens despite them not knowing. Failing to find the Skrulls a home has left Gravik and his followers frustrated with Fury and Captain Marvel. Instead of continuously waiting for them to deliver, they decide to take matters into their own hands and slowly take over Earth and claim it as theirs.

What makes the Skrulls tricky antagonists is the fact that they are able to change forms, and detecting them is almost impossible. Part of Gravik's scheme is to slowly abduct people in power and replace them with his own, which allows him to control the narrative that will be beneficial for them. In Secret Invasion episode 4, "Beloved" confirmed that the plan has also affected an Avenger when it was revealed that Rhodey has been a Skrull. Considering the many plot twists and turns in the outing, however, it isn't able to fully delve into the revelation, leaving fans wondering when he was replaced.

Rhodey's "New World" Scene In Falcon & The Winter Soldier Hinted He Was A Skrull

Falcon and Winter Soldier Rhodey and Sam

While Secret Invasion hasn't explored the revelation, Kevin Feige has hinted that Rhodey has been a Skrull for longer than assumed. He says that Marvel Studios wants fans to revisit the character's past appearances and try to figure out when he was replaced. This prompts many to look back at some of his previous MCU outings. At this point, It feels unlikely he was replaced before Avengers: Endgame for a couple of reasons, primarily because of what this means for Iron Man. Unless he has always been a Skrull who wasn't d with Gravik then, not having the real Rhodey during Tony Stark's death scene would cheapen the emotional moment.

This means that Rhodey likely turned sometime during the Multiverse Saga, with his appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier suggesting that he was replaced around then. While his cameo in the 2021 show was short, his conversation with Sam Wilson about giving up the shield was a great set-up for what's to come in the series. It also hints that he was already Skrull then. Rhodey talked about the blurred lines when it comes to allies and enemies, which fits well with the Skrull's scheme. Before saying goodbye to Sam, he declared: "it's a new day, brother," further hinting at the alien's plans of taking over Earth.

Why The Skrulls Wanted Sam Wilson To Be Captain America

Sam Wilson Captain America in front of Avengers Tower

If Rhodey was already a Skrull in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it's curious why he was subtly pushing for Sam to take up the mantle as the new Captain America. Knowing their scheme now thanks to Secret Invasion, it's nonsensical for Gravik to want the Avengers at play, considering that it would make executing it more difficult. Perhaps they want to draw the Earth's Mightiest Heroes out, which would make it easier to target them for their Super-Skrull plans. It's also possible that the Skrulls want Sam's Captain America to lead the new Avengers because they think it would be a weaker team.

Secret Invasion airs new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.