When Marvel Studios first announced that the Captain Marvel movie would feature Skrulls, comic fans everywhere were ecstatic. The green shapeshifting aliens had been a staple of the Marvel comic universe for decades and have featured in some of the most significant crossover events. Since their fellow aliens and mortal enemies, the blue-skinned Kree, have been a part of the MCU for a few years at this point, it only seems fair that the Skrulls finally make their cinematic debut.
But will Captain Marvel truly be their first appearance?
Excelsior!
Four years after its release, fans of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) have spotted an interesting blink-and-you-miss-it Easter Egg relating to the Skrulls. While director James Gunn had initially intended to have some Skrulls in the movie or the sequel he ultimately decided against it due to time constraints, though not entirely as has now become apparent. The length of time it has taken to figure the Skrull reference out is relatively excusable considering it coincided with another fan-favorite Easter Egg: A Stan Lee appearance.
The Skrull writing spells ‘Excelsior’ one of Lee’s most iconic catchphrases.
A Secret Invasion?
While one word in their language might not be anything other than a wink and a nod to the comics in most cases, with the Skrulls, it could indicate far more significant implications.
The Skrulls are best known for their shapeshifting abilities and weaponizing the DNA and powers of superheroes for their own use. In a recent comic event, Skrulls managed to replace half of the world’s politicians, celebrities, and heroes with no one the wiser. Initially intended by Gunn or not, it could easily be the case in later movies that the shapeshifters have been present in one form or another throughout the GOTG movies, or even in other Marvel films.
This could even prove to be a plot point in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War. With such a large focus on the cosmic world of Marvel, several alien species from the comics could make at least a cameo appearance. The Skrulls could easily be part of Thanos’s army, their abilities making them valuable spies and infiltrators.
Regardless of whether the Skrulls will be a crucial figure in Infinity War or retconned into past films, they will definitely be a big part of Captain Marvel.
Concept art for Captain Marvel (2019) featuring Skrulls
Captian Marvel debuts March 8, 2019. Set in the 1990’s before the events of the rest of the MCU, it stars Brie Larson as the titular hero and Samuel L. Jackson as a younger Nick Fury.