Exact Point When Rhodey Became A Skrull Confirmed By Secret Invasion Director (But It's Complicated)

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion

Summary

Director Ali Selim reveals that Rhodey has been a Skrull for far longer than fans suspected, adding a new layer of mystery to his character and past interactions.
Selim's comment motivates fans to reexamine Rhodey's previous MCU moments, including his cameo in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, in order to uncover the truth behind his Skrull identity.
Regardless of when Rhodey was replaced, his status as a Skrull has significant implications for his story and for Iron Man's, as it means the real Rhodey is unaware of his best friend's death, resulting in a heartbreaking situation.

Director Ali Selim reveals when exactly Rhodey has become a Skrull in the Secret Invasion episode 4 that Rhodey is a Skrull, but it didn't explore how this happened.

Speaking with Insider on the heels of the Secret Invasion series finale, Selim addresses questions about when Rhodey was replaced by Varra. While he doesn't confirm theories that he turned on the heels of Captain America: Civil War, the filmmaker says that Rhodey has been a Skrull for far longer than many would assume. Read his full quote below:

I think that it's gonna be a lot of fun for fans to unpack as they revisit all the Rhodey moments since the "Captain America" moment when he was in the hospital, and to see how they feel about it.

I don't know if I wanna say it's definitive or not definitive, but I think Rhodey has been a Skrull a lot longer than we suspected.

Selim was less cagey in an interview with ComicBook when asked the same question, heaping more importance on Civil War as a key point in the timeline of Rhodey being replaced by a Skrull:

"A lot of people have asked about, 'Definitively, when did Rhodey...? I think his legs not working in the end of episode six and him being in the hospital gown points to [Captain America: Civil War]. And, from there, does it have to be definitive, or is it more fun for the audience to go back and revisit every moment, every Rhodey moment and look at it with a different lens now that they think, 'Oh, he might've been a Skrull there.' And make the decision for themselves, or it'll be answered in Armor Wars."

Why Rhodey Being Replaced In Civil War Ruins His Character

Doctor Strange Rhodey Civil War Easter Egg

Essentially, Selim is just echoing Kevin Feige's comment after it was first revealed that Rhodey is a Skrull. The Marvel Studios' boss floated the idea that Iron Man's best friend has been replaced for far longer than initially thought. This prompted fans to go back and revisit some of Rhodey's latest outings in the MCU, including his brief cameo in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Selim's comment above is motivating the public to check them again to finally figure out this mystery.

Regardless of when exactly Rhodey was replaced, however, it sounds like he was already a Skrull toward the end of the Infinity Saga. This has massive ramifications to not just his story, but Iron Man's as well because it means that the real Rhodey has no idea that his best friend has already died. Similar to Vision's fate following his Avengers: Infinity War arc, War Machine exists with no idea that Tony Stark is gone, and as MCU's original best buddies, this is heartbreaking.

Outside his relationship with Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Rhodey being a Skrull after Captain America: Civil War changes how fans see every interaction he's had since. His reunion with Team Captain America and tense conversation with Thunderbolt Ross suddenly don't have the same emotional impact anymore. The same goes for his fun banters with his fellow heroes while they gear up for the time heist in Avengers: Endgame.

Sources: Insider/ComicBook