Secret Invasion really just killed an original Avenger

Secret Invasion seems to have wasted no time in showcasing how imminent of a threat the Skrulls are by killing off an original Avengers star out of the gate.

Leading up to the series premiere of Secret Invasion on Disney Plus, it was made clear that nothing was as it seems and we should learn to trust no one.

The series finds Nick Fury returning from space after he learns of a covert invasion being orchestrated by a rogue faction of the Skrulls who are looking to take over Earth. Due to their abilities to shape-shift, the Skrulls can take on the appearance of anyone which makes it that much harder for the good guys to truly know who their allies are.

In the first episode, Nick Fury turns to a few of his most trusted allies in Maria Hill and Talos, to begin the race against the clock to stop the Skrulls and protect the world from an impending invasion that hangs over their heads.

Warning: Secret Invasion episode 1 spoilers are to come! 

Following his extended stay at the S.A.B.E.R. space station, Fury returns to Earth after being summoned by Hill after it became clear that the Skrulls were planning something massive in the form of a series of global attacks designed to be framed as terrorist activities and lead to war between nations.

Across the episode, Fury, Hill, and Talos work to stop a looming attack in Moscow and it at one point looks like they might be able to thwart the attack when Talos’ daughter G’iah (who happens to be working with the faction of the Skrulls planning the attacks) tips them off on how to track the explosives.

Unfortunately, they’re unable to stop the Skrulls’ leader Gravik from setting off the explosives which creates a wave of chaos as Moscow comes under attack. After the bombs have been set off, Hill and Fury are able to find one another amid the frantic crowd. This is when things take an unexpected turn as Fury pulls a gun on Hill and shoots her in cold blood, and we discover the Fury who shot Hill was actually Gravik.

Did Maria Hill really die in Secret Invasion?

Sadly, it appears that Maria Hill was indeed killed in Secret Invasion and her death isn’t likely to be reversed within the MCU. The bold move from the creative team brings an abrupt end to Cobie Smulders’ 11-year run as Agent Hill, a role she first originated in The Avengers. 

After Gravik shot Hill in cold blood, she collapses to the ground which was when the real Fury runs to her side just in time to witness her final breath as she utters her dying words, “It was you,” to which Fury assured her “Not me,” as she died in his arms.

It’s unclear whether we might see Hill pop up again this season via flashbacks or other means, but it appears Hill is the first major casualty of the Skrulls’ attack on Earth.

The move to kill the character marks a bold swing for the show as Hill was one of the few Marvel mainstays from The Avengers still within the MCU orbit. While not a technical member of the Avengers, Hill popped up in all four of the Avengers films from the Infinity Saga and played a key role in helping the Avengers during their various missions.

How many times has Cobie Smulders played Maria Hill in the MCU?

Over the years, Cobie Smulders has played Agent Maria Hill in a total of 10 Marvel projects. Her first appearance came in 2012’s The Avengers and her final appearance came in Secret Invasion, released in June 2023. Here is a complete breakdown of every appearance Smulders has made in a Marvel project in the role of Maria Hill:

1. 1. The Avengers (2012)
   2. Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014)
   3. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
   4. Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (3 appearances across seasons 1 and 2)
   5. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
   6. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
   7. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
   8. What If…? (2021)
   9. Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023)
   10. Secret Invasion (2023)

Don’t miss Secret Invasion only on Disney Plus!