Secret Invasion’s Kingsley Ben-Adir on Gravik’s Surprising Influences

Kingsley Ben-Adir sheds light on the inner workings of his character, Gravik, in Secret Invasion and the sources that influenced his portrayal of the Marvel antagonist. The driving forces behind Gravik and his Skrull extremist mission stem from a deep sense of disillusionment and anger.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ben-Adir delved into his approach to portraying the character and the catalysts behind Gravik's radicalization. "Enormous trauma, a profound sense of mistrust towards authority figures and leaders, and a constant feeling of being let down by them," explained Ben-Adir. "Witnessing war and its consequences—all these elements contribute to his motivations." He tantalizingly hinted at a future scene in which Gravik attempts to elucidate the reasons behind his beliefs, emphasizing the abuse of power, broken promises, and the accumulation of frustration. "He's had enough of listening to deceitful individuals. Understanding his perspective became a straightforward process for me."

To delve into Gravik's mindset, Ben-Adir dedicated considerable time to studying cult leaders and their dynamics with their followers. He noted how exploring aspects of antisocial personality disorder felt fitting for a villain in this context. "The righteousness of his cause is utterly false, and it's fascinating to explore how he manipulates and exploits people. He constantly tests everyone, and that provided an enjoyable aspect to the role." Ben-Adir also found inspiration in actor Harold Torres' portrayal of Manuel Quinteras in the crime drama ZeroZeroZero, noting the intriguing tension and enigmatic behavior displayed by the character who skillfully utilized and manipulated those around him.

Gravik's Mysterious Origins in Secret Invasion:

While much about Gravik's past remains shrouded in mystery, the premiere of Secret Invasion unveiled his resentment towards Nick Fury for failing to find a new planet for Captain Marvel's Skrull refugees. Consequently, Gravik, alongside his followers, including Talos' daughter G'iah, established the Skrull-exclusive community known as New Skrullos. Engaging in global terrorist activities and resorting to the kidnapping and replacement of key individuals, Gravik seeks to enact his agenda. Despite the efforts of Fury, Talos, and Maria Hill to thwart one of Gravik's bombings, their mission ends in failure, with Gravik, disguised as Fury, ruthlessly murdering Hill.

Initially met with a mix of positive and lukewarm reviews, Secret Invasion has recently courted controversy due to its AI-generated opening sequence. Director Ali Selim explained that the purpose of the intro was to reflect the distrustful ambiance of a "shape-shifting, Skrull world identity." Nevertheless, its use raises concerns regarding the ethical implications of AI-generated art and potential art theft. Furthermore, owing to its mature themes, Secret Invasion carries a parental warning in certain Disney+ streaming regions, such as the United Kingdom.

New episodes of Secret Invasion premiere on Disney+ every Wednesday.

Source: THR