In a first-look interview with Vanity Fair, actor Samuel L. Jackson has discussed some of the biggest questions surrounding the new “Secret Invasion” Marvel series on Disney+, along with exclusive new photos.

Marvel’s Secret Invasion

This story continues the saga of the Skrulls, a group of extraterrestrial shape-shifting beings first seen in “Captain Marvel.” They originally found support and refuge through Nick Fury in their struggle as interstellar hostages in a war they were hoping to escape from, though the relationship has soured as the decades pass and promises are either broken or too far delayed.

Nick Fury has been absent from the world since the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” — causing a stir of excitement and anticipation among Marvel fans worldwide. Nick Fury is a beloved character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his return promises to bring new levels of intrigue and action to the franchise. With the Skrulls involved, it’s unclear where Fury’s loyalties will lie, and fans are eagerly anticipating the new twists and turns that this series will bring. It will be interesting to see how Nick Fury has evolved since his absence and what role he will play in the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward.

The Disney+ series’ executive producer Jonathan Schwartz says of Nick Fury: “Sins from his past start to haunt him once again. We often see Nick Fury doing the right thing. We don’t always see him doing it in a perfectly morally correct way. All of those things have ramifications. Without getting too specific, the things that Nick Fury’s had to do to protect the Earth have costs.”

Jackson hints at some of the things Fury had to do: “Nick had a whole Skrull spy network because they could shape-shift and go places that people couldn’t go,” he says. “They kept their word. They worked for him, but he hasn’t done what he said he was going to do. They want a home. They want to live. They want to live like they are. They want to live in their skin. They don’t want to live in ours.”

“What he’s not doing is calling in his super friends. So that’s part of the whole dilemma,” Jackson says. “I mean, people want them, and he’s not bringing them.” Why is he not calling them? “You’ll find that out,” he says. “There’s a very good reason he’s holding back.”

Regarding the themes and geopolitics woven throughout the series, Jackson states: “We don’t know who’s a friend, who’s the enemy. There’s a political aspect that kind of fits into where we are right now: Who’s okay? Who’s not? What happens when people get afraid and don’t understand other people? You can’t tell who’s innocent and who’s guilty in this particular instance.”

Emilia Clarke, most known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” joins the Marvel Cinematic Universal as G’iah — the daughter of Talos who has grown weary with Fury and the whole of Earth’s inaction to find a better home and better life for the Skrull people.

Kingsley Ben-Adir portrays Gravik, a rogue Skrull who convinces others to undermine Earth society after years of neglect and subservience. Taking a more radical and violent approach, he rejects the leadership of Talos and is amassing a faction of disillusioned and resentful Skrulls to forcefully pursue their interests.

Martin Freeman returns as CIA agent Everett K. Ross, after appearing in “Captain America: Civil War,” “Black Panther,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” He appears to be working in more secrecy than ever after the events of the second Black Panther film left him on treasonous terms with the Central Intelligence Agency for assisting the people of Wakanda.

Cobie Smulders returns as Maria Hill. Hill has a strained relationship with Nick Fury, and they haven’t seen each other in a while.

Nick Fury has neglected his eye patch — not because he is healed, but because he is more despondent and exhausted than ever. “It’s part of his vulnerability now,” Jackson explains. “You can look at it and see he’s not this perfectly indestructible person. He doesn’t feel like that guy.”

“That’s a Skrull greeting,” Samuel L. Jackson says of Nick Fury’s head-to-head reunion with Talos, played by Ben Mendelsohn. “I hadn’t seen him in a while.” 

“There’s a kind of punk feeling that you get from this girl,” Emilia Clarke says. “She’s a refugee kid who’s had Talos for a dad, you know what I mean? Maybe the fact that we didn’t know he had a kid up until this point tells you everything you need to know about their relationship.”

Oscar-winner Olivia Colman plays an MI6 agent who’s motivated to protect England’s national security interests during the crisis. “It’s somebody that you’ve never seen her play before,” Jackson says. “She’s cold-blooded and just relishes being that person.”

A Skrull regards her true form in a mirror in a scene from “Secret Invasion.” 

Watch the official trailer for “Secret Invasion” below:

A brand new trailer will also debut tonight during Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, and shortly thereafter online.

“Secret Invasion” will premiere on June 21, 2023, according to the Disney+ landing page.

Which picture or revelation about this new series are you most excited about? What are you curious to see in this Marvel adventure? Let us know in the comments.

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