Director Ali Selim opens up about Samuel L. Jacksons shadowy spy series.
Warning: This story contains spoilers for theSecret Invasionfinale.
TheSecret Invasionfinale introduces a powerful new hero to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Samuel L. Jackson in ‘Secret Invasion’.Gareth Gatrell/Marvel Studios
The six-episode Marvel Disney+ show ended this week, wrapping upSamuel L. Jackson’sshadowy spy series.
(He’ll next be seen in the upcoming filmThe Marvels.)
But he’s not alone: Fury has reconciled with his Skrull wife Priscilla, a.k.a.
Varra (played byCharlayne Woodard), and the two head off to space together.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Much of this episode hinges on that conversation between Kingsley Ben-Adir and Samuel L. Jackson.
What do you remember about filming that verbal showdown between the two of them?
You just think of brute strength.
That was a very unique experience for me.
It’s later revealed that conversation isn’t actually between Fury and Gravik, but between G’iah and Gravik.
We get that big fight scene where the two of them are figuring out their new powers.
How did you figure out which kind of Avenger powers you wanted to showcase in that scene?
The word came down from Kevin Feige: “Use them all.”
Did you have a particular favorite power or one you really wanted to include?
You know, for me, it was more about how the characters deal with their power.
I understand that more than I understand brawn.
What interested you about that love story?
It’s that theme of “other” that kind of drew me to the series.
The Skrulls come from another place.
Nick Fury has had his own experience growing up as he did in America.
I don’t know that he knows.
But ultimately, it doesn’t matter because in that kiss, love conquers all.
We don’t listen to it because it’s scary.
And I think that relationship between Priscilla/Varra and Nick Fury is really at the heart of the series.
Tell me a little bit about why you wanted to end the show on that note of paranoia.
Nick Fury has to have some opposition as we leave the series.
I think it’s important to show that a sense of other can create a sense of conflict.
The idea is that this battle could go on.
But Sonya and G’iah reconcile at the end, and maybe they’re going to fix it.
Maybe these two strong, beautiful women are going to come in and fix it.
Up next, Nick Fury will be inThe Marvelswith Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani.
How much were you talking to theMarvelsteam or other Marvel creatives to see to it those stories align?
I mean, my job is to tell this story within this box, within these six episodes.
I do my best not to confuse myself or the audience with things outside the box.
I think we did a pretty good job of launching Nick Fury.
I don’t know what’s going to happen to Maria Hill or Talos.
One is burned, and the other is buried.
But in the MCU, anything can happen.
So, where are they going to end up?
I don’t know.
But I think there’s a certain amount of comfort in watching Sonya and G’iah come to their agreement.
So, you have some guideposts, but you also have the freedom to tell your own self-contained story.
I’m not too concerned about my imprint or whatever.
