Christopher McDonald has joined the cast of Secret Invasion, in a role that may be completely new but important to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
McDonald's character has potential to cross over to other MCU Disney+ series and movies, according to Deadline. Details are not yet being revealed, but the character seems to be one which hasn't been based on any from the extensive history of Marvel Comics.
Other members of the cast so far include MCU mainstay Samuel L. Jackson, who will reprise his role as the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D Nick Fury, and Ben Mendelsohn, who will be back as the Skrull called Talos who first appeared in Captain Marvel. Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke and Kingsley Ben-Adir have also been cast, with each one playing an unknown role. The directors of Secret Invasion, Thomas Bezucha and Ali Selim, were also recently confirmed.
Based on a 2008-2009 Marvel comics event by Brian Michael Bendis, Leinil Francis Yu, Mark Morales and Laura Martin, the plot is likely to involve various characters, potentially some who come from other parts of the MCU, being revealed as members of the shapeshifting alien race Skrulls.
In the comics, the evil Skrulls quietly assumed human forms in an attempt to conquer Earth. However, when the Skrulls first appeared in the MCU in Captain Marvel, they departed from their comics counterparts in a twist that showed they didn't have malevolent intentions and weren't the villains of the piece. Since then, they have made brief appearances in Spider-Man: Far From Home and WandaVision, showing off their ability to take on the appearance and recent memories of any person.
McDonald recently appeared in the Netflix film We Can Be Heroes. His long acting career also includes roles in popular TV series such as Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife and the currently running Hacks. Some fans may recognize his voice from DC animated series including Beware the Batman, Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, or from the 1999 classic The Iron Giant.
Secret Invasion stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Christopher McDonald. Thomas Bezucha and Ali Selim will serve as directors. The series, which will air on Disney+, has yet to receive a premiere date.
Source: Deadline