One variant of Kang the Conqueror recently revealed in the MCU surprisingly sets up Phase 5’s Secret Invasion. Released on February 17, 2023, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania kicked off the MCU’s Phase 5 by introducing the warrior variant of Kang the Conqueror, portrayed by Jonathan Majors, and a shock appearance of the Council of Kangs in Quantumania’s mid-credits scene helped to set up several upcoming projects. Among the hundreds of Kang variants introduced in Quantumania, including Immortus, Rama-Tut, and Victor Timely, one surprising addition could be pivotal to the MCU’s next project, Secret Invasion.
Expected to premiere in early 2023, Secret Invasion will bring Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury back to Earth after the reveal that he was off-world in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Secret Invasion is set to be a dedicated espionage-style Disney+ series for Marvel Studios, as Fury, along with MCU newcomers Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, and Kingsley Ben-Adir, will deal with the threat of secret Skrull communities living on Earth. While several MCU heroes are expected to be outed as Skrulls, Secret Invasion could also have a strong connection to the Multiverse Saga’s major villain, Kang the Conqueror.
A Skrull Kang Variant Seemingly Appears In Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania
During the mid-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, most of the attention is on the three main Kang variants in the Council of Kangs, comprised of Immortus, Rama-Tut, and a mystery variant who has been speculated to be the Scarlet Centurion. Even so, hundreds of other Kang variants can be seen entering the arena, with one in particular standing out from the crowd as he has the appearance of a Skrull. First introduced to the MCU in Phase 3’s Captain Marvel, the MCU’s Skrulls are very recognizable, so it was hard to miss one popping up as part of the sinister Council of Kangs.
The Council of Kangs’ debut during Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s mid-credits scene came as a surprise to audiences but has set up Kang as a potential villain in many upcoming MCU projects as the Multiverse Saga progresses towards Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. With Secret Invasion on the horizon, the appearance of a Skrull Kang variant means the events of the upcoming series could be far more crucial to the MCU than anybody first realized. A variant of Kang, with mastery over time travel and knowledge of the multiverse, combined with the ability to transform into anyone, is an incredibly dangerous prospect.
What Kang’s Skrull Variant Means For Secret Invasion
Not much is known about the storyline for Phase 5’s Secret Invasion series, other than Fury will be dealing with a sect of Skrulls on Earth who are apparently going against the grain, as the Skrulls were revealed to be allies of humanity during Captain Marvel. This could be the perfect place to introduce a Skrull variant of Kang the Conqueror, as he could realistically be the ring-leader of the rebellious group of Skrulls, leading the charge against the human race. While the Skrulls’ gift of shape-shifting is impressive on its own, Kang’s added powers and knowledge would make him the most formidable and terrifying enemy.
Kang’s ability to travel throughout time means that he is likely to pop up in several MCU projects in Phases 5 and 6 before his story comes to a head in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Victor Timely, another variant of Kang, has already been teased for Loki season 2, and Rama-Tut would fit nicely into a potential continuation of Moon Knight’s story in the MCU. Initially, it could have been assumed that Secret Invasion would function without the threat of Kang hanging overhead, but the appearance of a Skrull variant of Kang completely changes the landscape of the upcoming MCU series.
Nick Fury Could Bring The Avengers Together Again
In the MCU so far, only a select few heroes are aware of the threat that Kang the Conqueror poses, but the appearance of a Skrull Kang variant in Secret Invasion could make his presence known to many more Earth-based characters, most notably the powerful Nick Fury. Despite only having brief appearances in the MCU since SHIELD collapsed in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Fury has been one of the most prominent characters in the MCU since his debut in Iron Man’s post-credits scene. Secret Invasion will see Fury back in the spotlight and could clue him in on the threat of Kang.
Having a Skrull Kang variant appear in Secret Invasion might create the strongest connection between Kang the Conqueror and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes yet, as it’s possible that Fury could reach out to the remaining, and new, Avengers once he learns of Kang’s power. Speculation has been rising about when a new team of Avengers would form in the MCU after many went their separate ways in Avengers: Endgame, so Secret Invasion could see Nick Fury come full circle and bring Earth’s heroes back together. He brought them together once before, so it would be brilliant to see him form the MCU’s new Avengers after the events of Secret Invasion.