The penultimate episode of Secret Invasion closed with Nick Fury resuming his role as the ferocious superspy that fans have known and loved since the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Disney+ limited series starts with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) returning to Earth after living in space for several years. Several characters, including Gravik, Sonya Falsworth, and Fury’s wife Priscilla, mention in the first four episodes that The Blip – depicted in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War – had changed Fury for the worse, with many claiming the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was now a shadow of his former self. However, at the end of Episode 5, “Harvest,” Fury is resurrected as the man he was before Thanos came, as seen by him wearing his classic black leather trenchcoat and eyepatch appearance.
The announcement of Nick Fury’s rebirth was preceded by references to Fury’s tenure as director of S.H.I.E.L.D., such as the Helicarriers being decommissioned. Rick Mason (O-T Fagbenle), a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who made his MCU debut in Black Widow (2021), also featured in the episode, supporting Fury by flying him to Finland and handing him the Widow’s Veil to use to get through security. The Widow’s Veil is S.H.I.E.L.D. technology that Black Widow utilised to infiltrate the World Security Council. It is a mask capable of recreating a person’s face and voice. While the Avengers do not appear in Secret Invasion, they are mentioned several times in “Harvest.” Gravik is pursuing “The Harvest,” a vial containing the DNA of numerous Avengers, including Captain Marvel. In Avengers: Endgame, Fury sent a crew to dig through the rubble of the Avengers Compound for signs of blood left behind by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes after the Battle of Earth. “Harvest” concludes with Fury on his way to meet Gravik for the final time, armed with the vial.
Following Secret Invasion, Jackson’s Nick Fury will be seen in The Marvels, a planned Phase 5 film starring Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Photon. The Disney+ limited series, according to the actor, must “happen so that The Marvels can happen.” “All of these things are connected in an interesting way,” Jackson continued. Secret Invasion will also set up Armour Wars, which will see Don Cheadle reprise his role as James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine. “There’s a part of [Secret Invasion] that kicks off what happens in Armour Wars,” Cheadle said in January 2023.
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