Secret Invasion Director Ignored Marvel's Instructions to Avoid the Comics

Director Ali Selim of Secret Invasion recently made a surprising confession, admitting that he deliberately defied Marvel Studios' instructions by reading the comic book crossover that served as the inspiration for the Disney+ miniseries.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Secret Invasion Episode 2, "Promises," streaming now on Disney+.

In an interview with Uproxx, Selim candidly revealed that he had indeed perused the original Secret Invasion comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu before commencing filming on the Marvel Cinematic Universe adaptation. When questioned about the challenges of adapting an unfamiliar story, Selim clarified, "I didn't say I refrained from reading it... I was advised not to read it." He further commented, "I prefer to be knowledgeable. And by the end of it, I could understand why they advised against it."

Selim's statement aligns with his previous remarks regarding Marvel Studios' guidance upon his appointment as the director of Secret Invasion. Reflecting on the advice he received, Selim recalled how the production company emphasized ignoring the comics, as Secret Invasion creator Kyle Bradstreet had a distinct vision for the miniseries' narrative. "I didn't write the script. Many of those decisions were made by Kyle Bradstreet and the team of writers involved. The first thing I was told was not to read the comics. It had no bearing on our creative direction," Selim explained.

Secret Invasion Director On Nick Fury's Character Arc

While Ali Selim may have disregarded some of Marvel Studios' requests, he also fulfilled several others, particularly in the portrayal of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) in Secret Invasion. Studio executives specifically asked Selim to present Fury in a more "film noir" style, and the director took this note into consideration during production. As a result, viewers can anticipate Fury evolving into a "lone wolf" with each subsequent episode, resembling a Western character. Selim drew inspiration from classic films like The Third Man, The Searchers, and Unforgiven to craft this fresh interpretation of Nick Fury.

Interestingly, the revelation at the end of Episode 2, titled "Promises," challenges Fury's increasingly solitary nature. It unveils that the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director is secretly married. However, the episode leaves it ambiguous as to whether Nick himself is aware that his wife, Priscilla, is a Skrull. Selim shed light on this aspect, stating, "In the script, he knows. And when we shot it, it was interesting that maybe he didn't know. We ultimately edited it in a way that made people feel like, 'I wonder if he knows or not.'" This intentional ambiguity adds an intriguing layer to the storyline.

Fans can catch new episodes of Secret Invasion on Disney+ every Wednesday.

Source: Uproxx