With the producers having recently confirmed that work hasn’t even started on the next iteration of cinema’s most famous secret agent, we’re a long way away from discovering the identity of the next James Bond. 294v3x

However, the director of 2023’s biggest box office sensation knows exactly who they’d want to see throw on the tux and sink a shaken-not-stirred martini, and it’s definitely a name worth considering. Speaking to Variety, Greta Gerwig reflected on the moment Kingsley Ben-Adir‘s version of Ken addressed the gathered throng at the end of the movie, and how easily he took her direction of “ascend the throne.”

“Everybody’s jaws dropped. I was like, get this footage to whoever is making James Bond immediately.”

The 36 year-old Englishman certainly has the profile, looks, charm, and acting ability to pull off a convincing 007, even if his brushes with effects-heavy extravaganzas have hardly been anything to write home about, and that’s underselling it drastically.

As well as playing a ing role in one of the biggest box office bombs ever made in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, he also had the misfortune of playing the antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Secret Invasion.

Sure, he was one of the best things about it until the finale decided ugly CGI was a better use of his talents than what had been a gripping performance up until that point, but that doesn’t cover up the fact the finale’s seven percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes makes it one of – if not the – worst episodes of television to hit screens in 2023.

It’s not been a great few weeks for Marvel. Their ultra-hyped, big-budget spy series Secret Invasion has been a bit of a flop when it comes to both viewing figures and critical reviews. Talking heads have been split on the reasons as to why it’s been a letdown, but two things are certain: The show failed to excite longtime MCU fans because of its slow burning nature and attempts at exploring complex political intrigue, but also didn’t stray far enough away from the usual Marvel fare to attract viewers who are put off by over-reliance on CGI, corny jokes, and big action sequences. So, it appears to have been a worst of both worlds situation for the franchise and Disney+, on which the show streamed.

However, it wasn’t just the overall nature of the show that many viewers took issue with. Some felt that it wasted its few good characters with poor plotting and writing, especially the main villain in the series, the Skrull rebel leader Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), who was killed off at the end of the final episode.

Secret Invasion follows Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and his allies as they attempt to stop a Skrull takeover of Earth. The shapeshifting aliens are angry for a number of reasons, but the primary one is that they feel Fury and his Skrull ally Talos have left their race floundering without a planet, so launch a secret plot to morph into various humans around the globe and slowly take control. The fact they can so easily become their enemies is what could have made the show such an interesting watch, but a combination of poor dialogue that relied too much on exposition and bogged down plotting, and a failure to commit to a real idea of what the show could be hampered it from the getgo.

As many have pointed out, Secret Invasion really did have all the elements to create something truly mindblowing. The cast was as good as any previous Marvel production (Emilia Clarke and Olivia Coleman both ed the show, and nobody can argue with their pedigree), and the money was there to make a visual feast, but everything was staid and unfocused, with the darker elements not really fleshed out enough to make the show a true noir mystery (although the fact they dove into things like torture in interrogation was brave, and one of the few things the show did that was both new and interesting). And, as the above post on the Marvel Studios subreddit points out, it wasted a brilliant and morally ambiguous villain in Gravik.

Before the show begins, the Skrull rebel leader had broken away from Talos and his faction of Skrulls, believing that they needed to no longer work with humans but instead infiltrate the planet and steal Earth’s resources. To this aim, he and a group of other scientists created the “Super-Skrull” project, which collected powered DNA that could then be used to strengthen Skrull forces. Gravik was the first test subject for this potential new innovation, and even managed to collect DNA samples from some of Marvel’s most powerful superheroes to help him. As a result, he could regenerate, extend his limbs, move things with his mind, and even manipulate cosmic energy. However, the final episode of Secret Invasion saw G’iah (Clarke) kill off the character, meaning he’ll probably no longer be a part of the MCU going forward — a decision that’s annoyed plenty of Marvel fans (although as we’ve seen from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, that’s not always the case).

There are a number of reasons as to why the Skrull rebel would have made such a good long-standing character for the MCU. For one, Gravik has a truly compelling origin story. His parents were killed in the Skrull-Kree war (a vital part of the franchise’s mythology), and after he was orphaned Fury and Talos brought him under their wing, turning him into a deadly assassin. Although he did this work for years, it made him bitter and angry toward Fury, and eventually all of humanity, as he felt he was doing the dirty work of those who had ruined him. That — combined with the poor conditions many Skrull refugees found themselves in — eventually radicalized him and set off the chain of events that happen just before the beginning of Secret Invasion. So, he is a great example of the righteous, complex villain trope audiences tend to love.

There are plenty of Marvel projects a villain like Gravik would have been perfect for, with his heartbreaking backstory and justified rage. A potential third Captain Marvel film would have been great for a number of reasons, but specifically because of the intergalactic nature of the film and the importance of Krees to the plot. With that said, there are plenty of other heroes Gravik could have come up against that would have also made just as much sense.

The funny thing is, the comic books on which the series is based don’t even kill him off, so this was a decision made solely by the team behind the television series (in the comic Gravik isn’t really a factor, though, with the invasion being led by a Skrull queen. The invasion is also a lot larger in scale, instead of the more subtle one depicted in the series). It’s pretty unlike Marvel to not drain every ounce of possible profit out of a character, too, which makes Gravik’s demise even more irritating to viewers and longterm MCU fans.

It’s not just on Reddit that fans have had something to say, either, with plenty posting about the way the character has been wasted on other social media sites. Many were especially annoyed as Ben-Adir put in such a sterling performance.

All in all, it seems that the way Gravik was handled is yet another way in which Secret Invasion has failed to live up to its billing as the flagship Phase 5 show. Let’s just hope that it isn’t a sign of things to come.

With his recent turn as the baddie Gravik in Marvel’s Secret Invasion, as well as one of the Kens in Barbie, Kingsley Ben-Adir has become an actor to watch. The British actor first got his start performing in critically acclaimed plays across London before he transitioned to booking mostly TV and film roles.

Ben-Adir’s filmography is relatively small, but full of hit shows like Peaky Blinders and High Fidelity. Thankfully, the future looks just as bright for the young actor, who will be starring in an Bob Marley biopic as the singer himself. To celebrate the finale of Secret Invasion, let’s take a look at Ben-Adir’s best movies and TV shows so far.

10. Secret Invasion (2023) 362rj

Secret Invasion follows Nick Fury and Talos as they discover a group of renegade Skrulls have infiltrated Earth with the intention of annihilating the human race and establishing Earth as the new Skrull planet. Ben-Adir plays the main antagonist Gravik, the leader of the conspirators and is able to give his character the right balance of contempt and charisma. It’s hard to lead a cult without that!

While Ben-Adir’s portrayal of the big bad is a delight, the show is going down as one of the MCU’s most disappointing yet after its underwhelming finale. Fans originally raved about Secret Invasion‘s darker tone, but the short final episode (clocking in at 37 minutes) as well as the continued trend of world-ending stakes in nearly all MCU projects, have made it a show most would like to forget. Still, Gravik proved a more effective villain than Kang and it feels wrong to not give the show a spot on this list.

9. Soulmates (2020) n2gq

From two writers behind Black Mirror and Ted Lasso, Soulmates is a science fiction anthology series set in a near future where a company called Soul Connex offers a test that can predict a person’s soul mate 100 percent accurately. Each episode follows a different self-contained story around people who have opted to find out who their soulmate is and the various scenarios that come from that concept. Though the show was cancelled after its first season, it’s similar to Black Mirror and a good short watch.

Ben-Adir stars in the first episode opposite Succession‘s Sarah Snook as her character’s husband, Franklin. While finding out who your soulmate is sounds like it would make life easier, the show’s characters discover that’s rarely the case.

8. Noelle (2019) 2l1g1t

This Disney Plus Christmas movie is just as cheesy and predictable as you’d expect, but those aren’t necessarily bad things. Noelle follows a family of generational Santa Clauses after the late Santa’s son, Nick Kringle (Bill Hader), has gone missing right before his debut as the new Santa Clause. His enthusiastically holiday-spirited sister Noelle (Anna Kendrick) then sets off on an adventure to find her brother and save Christmas.

She enlists the help of a private investigator named Jake Hapman (Ben-Adir) and the two look for Noelle’s brother. Even though you can probably deduce the plot from that info alone, Noelle is a charming holiday film.

7. High Fidelity (2020) 254y69

This 2020 TV gender-swapped remake of the 2000 film of the same name was sadly cancelled after one season, but is definitely worth your attention. High Fidelity follows record store owner Robyn “Rob” Brooks (Zoë Kravitz) as she recalls a string of unsuccessful relationships. The show’s atmosphere is as expertly curated as Rob’s record store — though sometimes this is to its detriment — and Kravitz proves a compelling lead.

Throughout the show, she compiles top five lists to help her get over her most recent ex, including a top five worst heartbreaks list. Mac, played by Ben-Adir, is the ex who got away as well as her most recent addition to the list. It’s a fun romantic comedy with an amazing soundtrack, though it’s let down by only having one season.

6. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) 384138

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword has an atrocious Rotten Tomatoes score (31 percent as of writing) and lost Warner Bros. roughly $150 million, but don’t let the hate get to you; if you enjoy bizarre, over-the-top action films with a wonderful soundtrack, this film is for you.

The film is a retelling of the familiar myth and follows King Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) who returns to claim his birthright from the fiend Vortigern (Jude Law). Ben-Adir has a ing role as one of Arthur’s childhood friends, Wet Stick.

5. Vera (2011-Present) 2f2q6j

Vera is a popular British crime series based on the Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves. The show has been airing since 2011 and follows the eponymous detective who solves crimes in her straight-forward and brusque way. Despite her occasionally rough personality, Vera is kind-hearted and caring toward her team .

Ben-Adir played Dr. Marcus Sumner, a recurring character in several seasons of the show. Vera has received praise for its crime plotlines as well as for the main character herself. Vera is an independent protagonist who happily lives alone and dresses comfortably while excelling in her field. Fans of the show find that Vera is extraordinary in her normalcy, and appreciate that she always stands up for what she believes in.

4. Peaky Blinders (2013-2022) 286j4t

The popular BBC series Peaky Blinders revolves around a British street gang led by ruthless crime boss Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) following the first World War. Netflix acquired the rights and helped the show gain even more popularity by helping a worldwide audience to tune in. The show quickly gained widespread acclaim due to its riveting action sequences and excellent performances from its ensemble cast.

In the show, Ben-Adir plays a small role as colonel Ben Younger and makes his debut in the fifth season. While his time on Peaky Blinders is short as he only appears in five episodes, the actor gave a great performance as one of the many talented actors to star on the show.

3. The OA (2016-2019) 3l2x2a

Out of the many popular Netflix shows that were cancelled too soon, The OA is one that particularly riled its fans up; not only was the show cancelled despite rave reviews, season two ended on a cliffhanger and fans were left with no satisfying conclusion. The science fiction mystery with fantasy elements followed Prairie Johnson, a young woman who reappears after going missing for seven years and can suddenly see, despite being blind before her disappearance.

In season two, Ben-Adir plays a private investigator who crosses paths with Prarie and the two assist each other with solving their respective problems. Tragically, the show was cancelled after its second season but fans continue to hope for an eventual third season, no matter how long it takes.

2. Barbie (2023) 1o3l51

In addition to his work in Secret Invasion, Ben-Adir is gaining recognition as one of the best Kens in the new Barbie movie. Alongside Ryan Gosling’s main Ken and Michael Cera’s Allen, Ben-Adir gives one of the most standout performances among the male dolls. The film’s more comedic tone helps demonstrate the actor’s impressive range and personally, I have to it he was one of my favorite Kens in the film.

Barbie is proving to be a box office smash and isn’t doing too shabby among critics and general audiences alike. The film follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she travels from Barbieland to the real world after undergoing a series of unfortunate events.

1. One Night in Miami (2020) k5b3j

One Night in Miami revolves around a real night in 1964 when Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, and Sam Cooke met to celebrate Ali’s title win over boxer Sonny Lisbon. The four discuss their achievements as well as the Civil Rights Movement and issues they and other Black people were facing in 1960s America. The film is filmmaker Regina King’s debut feature, and earned several Academy Award nominations in addition to widespread acclaim.

In a career-defining role, Ben-Adir plays Malcolm X, an intimidating task given the civil rights leader’s documented charisma. The actor excels in the role, both in his individual storyline and during the discussion with the four others. Without spoiling their discussions, the film is thought-provoking, complex, and bittersweet, and is well worth a watch.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion episode six.

Kingsley Ben-Adir is having a fantastic week. He’s one of the best Kens in the top-billing film in theaters right now, and he’s arguably the best part about Marvel’s Secret Invasion, which just aired its final episode this Wednesday. Mind you, the actor plays completely opposite roles in each project — a vivacious if anxious sidekick to Ryan Gosling’s main Ken in Barbie and one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most ruthless and blood-thirsty villains yet in Secret Invasion.

For those of us who have watched Barbie over the weekend and have been keeping up with Secret Invasion, it’s hard to believe the same person is playing both of those characters. The stark contrast spotlights Ben-Adir’s immense acting range, as well as his ability to fully embody whatever role he is given, and has positively put him on the map as one to watch in the future of Hollywood.

Unfortunately for us all, however, it looks like his time as the Skrull rebel leader Gravik is over, judging by his apparent death in the finale of Secret Invasion. And if that’s the case, Marvel might have just given up a bonafide movie star in the making, that could have been the answer to the franchise’s Kang/Jonathan Majors conundrum. The villain in the sci-fi/spy thriller series doesn’t just have a higher kill count than his multiversal counterpart, but he actually puts his money where his mouth is. For all the threatening speeches that Kang delivered in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, we saw very little of what he was actually capable of.

Not only could Gravik have easily carried a multi-project arc like Jonathan Majors’ Kang, but Kingsley Ben-Adir’s talent is also on par with the American actor. It’s frustrating to think that the 37-year-old’s contribution to the MCU was constricted to a Disney Plus show, and one not that many people were interested in at that. It also feels like a disservice to Gravik’s journey across the show that he was so easily defeated.

Marvel might come to regret the decision to write off Kinglsey Ben-Adir’s character so soon, but at least his terrifying performance as Gravik on the small screen reaching us at the same time as he prances around Barbieland in theaters will always exist as our own little version of Barbenheimer.

Every episode of the first season of Secret Invasion is available to stream now on Disney Plus, while Barbie is showing everywhere in theaters.

With the much-anticipated Greta Gerwig blockbuster Barbie set to be released in the U.S. tomorrow, the buzz around the film is reaching a fever pitch. As is pretty easy to tell from all the promotional materials, Aussie star Margot Robbie is playing the main, titular character, and the role of her long-term, long-suffering boyfriend Ken is being taken on by Ryan Gosling. However, a look at the cast reveals that Robbie and Gosling aren’t the only Barbie and Ken who’ll be appearing in the film: all in all there are 11 Barbies that are directly referred to and seven Kens. Here’s a look at all the actors who are appearing as Barbie or Ken in Barbie.

Firstly, why are there so many Barbies and Kens? 226m63

Much of the action in the film takes place in Barbie Land, which is populated by various different Barbies. After years of critics claiming the doll promoted unrealistic beauty standards, snipped the wings of young girls who aspired to be more than an ornament, and unfairly diminished the role of non-blonde, non-slim women in public life, Mattel began pumping out different kinds of Barbie to appeal to various cultural trends. According to the toy manufacturer, there are now 176 different kinds of Barbie, falling under nine body types and over 30 skin tones. Accessories now include things like hijabs, and there are even dolls marketed as having prosthetic limbs, or being non-binary. While Ken doesn’t have quite the same range of diversity, there’s still a lot of him to choose from: four different body types, nine eye colors, 22 hair styles, and 13 skin tones.

Part of the plot of the film depends on there being this diversity of Barbies and Kens, which is why so many have been cast. Gerwig has also been fastidious in of making sure each doll and product mentioned in her film was once sold by Mattel under the Barbie brand, which is impressive but also aided by the vast amount of Barbie-branded stock to choose from.

Margot Robbie — “Stereotypical” Barbie y4m60

The film’s star and producer plays “stereotypical” Barbie – whose story is the one we mostly follow. The australian is a huge name and one of the few people who could conceivably take on this iconic figure, and was reportedly incredibly invested in getting this film off the ground.

Issa Rae — President Barbie 4f4h5n

The former YouTube comedian-turned-genuine superstar is known for her brilliant comedic acting and advocacy, so it makes sense that she plays the politically-minded President Barbie in the film. Rae also gets the honor of dropping the one f-bomb that the movie is allowed, and it’s truly a laugh-out-loud moment.

Kate McKinnon — Weird Barbie 6n3f11

After a decade spent on the SNL stage, it’s no surprise to see Kate McKinnon bring her comedic chops to the role of Weird Barbie, which according to the film’s lore is what the dolls transform into when they’re played with “too hard.” Acting as a kind of spiritual guide to Robbie’s eponymous character, Weird Barbie is a massive part in this film, and McKinnon plays the role fantastically.

Alexandra Shipp — Writer Barbie 412p27

The multi-talented Alexandra Shipp takes on yet another skill to add to her resume, becoming the highly successful Writer Barbie in Gerwig’s film. She’s also one of stereotypical Barbie’s closest neighbors, and has a pretty large amount of screen time.

Hari Nef — Dr. Barbie 4t4a

Transparent and You star Hari Nef takes on the part of Dr. Barbie, an educated and highly skilled doll whose talents are often wasted as in Barbie Land every injury heals within a few moments of it happening. Nonetheless, she has some great lines and is a welcome addition to the crew of dolls.

Sharon Rooney — Lawyer Barbie 1f722m

This is without a doubt the Glaswegian-born actress’ biggest part, and Rooney does an excellent job as Lawyer Barbie. She’s one of the lifelike dolls who has the most interactions with Robbie, and does a great job of keeping comedy injected into the movie.

Ana Cruz Kayne — Judge Barbie 153k3w

Ana Cruz Kayne worked with Gerwig on Little Women, and the pair have rekindled their relationship for the director’s latest film. In it, Kayne takes on the role of Judge Barbie, one of the all-Barbie Supreme Court, who a lot of viewers would wish we’d had a few months ago when the real group of mostly-corrupt judges overturned Roe v Wade and sent the U.S. back into a hellscape for countless women.

Emma Mackey — Physicist Barbie 681e3d

With all the “Barbenheimer” discourse, Emma Mackey playing the part of Physicist Barbie is a potential missed opportunity for some crossover appeal. The Sex Education star has a chunky role in Barbie, appearing on-screen plenty of times and bringing the laughs alongside the rest of the cast.

Nicola Coughlan — Diplomat Barbie 3pc20

Hilarious Irish actress Nicola Coughlan rose to prominence as one of the stars of the laugh-out-loud Derry Girls, and since then her star has been consistently rising. The Galway-born performer gives a great performance as Diplomat Barbie, and as always is an engaging screen presence.

Dua Lipa — Mermaid Barbies 143k3v

Pop star Dua Lipa makes her feature film debut as Mermaid Barbies, with her likeness used for the trio of underwater dolls who wave hello at her fellow plastic princesses. The singer-songwriter is set to appear in another film next year.

Ritu Arya — Journalist Barbie 5b1j3t

English actress Rita Aryu first rose to prominence for a role in the British soap Doctors, but gained international acclaim after starring as Lila in the hit Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. She takes on the part of Journalist Barbie, and is a welcome addition to the group of dolls in the idyllic Barbie Land.

Ryan Gosling — Ken 32163x

Early screeners have confirmed that Gosling really does bring the Kenergy, taking on the role of Barbie’s sidepiece with panache and heart. There’s no doubt the actor really committed to the part, and it would be surprising if he didn’t pick up a slew of nominations for his performance.

Kingsley Ben-Adir — Ken #1 4b1o5r

The major sidekick and ally of Gosling’s Ken, Kingsley Ben-Adir is hilarious and charming as the helpful — albeit a bit useless — Ken #1. With a bunch of impressive credits to his name, Barbie is another on the list of watchable hits that Ben-Adir has signed on to.

Simu Liu — Ken #2 3n396r

Simu Liu is used to big-budget blockbusters thanks to his starring role in the MCU, and he takes on the role of Ken #2 excellently here, managing to be a great antagonist to Gosling’s Ken while also maintaining the lightness and slight idiocy that makes Ken Ken.

Scott Evans — Ken #3 2s2w59

Hunky Scott Evans is more known for his roles on the smaller screen, but the Grace and Frankie star shows he’s got the same big-screen presence as his brother Chris with his few scenes in Barbie.

Ncuti Gatwa — Ken #4 2s551p

The Sex Education star has had a stellar year, not only appearing in this blockbuster but also being chosen as the next Doctor Who. Although he doesn’t have much to say in this role, he shows off some excellent physical acting during the dance and battle scenes.

John Cena — Kenmaid 6i16i

Former wrestler and subject of one of the funniest prank calls on YouTube, John Cena’s transition into acting has been seamless, and although he’s only in a few scenes in Barbie, he steals all of them.

Rob Brydon — Sugar’s Daddy Ken r1y2c

Welsh comedian and show stalwart Rob Brydon is one of those famous faces non-Brits would recognize from numerous films and shows but not be able to name. However, in his native land we’ve known about his talent for decades, and his small but hilarious part in Barbie reinforces how great he is.

This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion episode 5

Secret Invasion has just one episode to go, with the finale seeing Nick Fury and Sonya Falsworth heading to New Skrullos to try and stop the titular infiltration. They’re holding a key bargaining chip known as “The Harvest,” containing the DNA of every Avenger who fought in Endgame‘s Battle for Earth.

However the finale shakes out, fans agree that Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Gravik deserves to not only survive the series, but replace Kang as the new big bad of the Multiverse Saga. Every second that the actor is on screen he projects physical and psychological menace, with episode 5 showing that he’s a brutal combatant when taking down his mutinous followers. And, now that he’s loaded up with Super-Skrull powers, he’s a genuine menace to any hero facing him.

Meanwhilem the much-touted Kang the Conqueror just lost to Ant-Man, and Jonathan Majors is facing a trial for domestic violence beginning August 3, so it’s time to ditch Kang and boost Gravik:

His story shouldn’t end here:

We can easily see him becoming an Avengers-level threat (if he isn’t already):

You come at the King(sley) you best not miss:

We can see Gravik’s story going several ways. One obvious route will be his fellow Skrulls turning on him en masse, as they’re clearly disturbed by his brutality. Another is that incorporating the powers of every single Avenger into his body via The Harvest will be a power overload that’ll finish him off. Fury is almost certainly coming out on top one way or another, but we doubt Gravik is just going to lay down and take it.

What we’re praying doesn’t happen is him being outright killed. The MCU sorely needs charismatic and dangerous villains, and Gravik deserves to stick around. Even if he suffers a setback next week, let’s hope it’s not the final chapter of his story.

He may be the talk of the town at the moment, given his head-turning, antagonistic role of Gravik in the MCU’s Secret Invasion, or as a variant of Ken in Greta Gerwig’s box office heavyweight Barbie, but the résumé of Kingsley Ben-Adir goes much deeper than one may think.

Indeed, beyond an alien terrorist and one of many Kens, Ben-Adir has also brought such illustrious figures as Malcolm X and Barack Obama to life over the course of his career, making for a historical portfolio that’s as impressive as his fantasy one.

But now, Ben-Adir is really set to hit the big time in the former department with Bob Marley: One Love, where he’ll portray the eponymous reggae pioneer, and thanks to the film’s brand new, striking trailer, we’re all but certain that the Peaky Blinders star is going to do the legendary artist proud.

From his rise to the stage to his fateful battle with cancer, One Love, based on Marley’s song of the same name that was voted “song of the millennium” by the BBC, will document the turbulent, remarkable life of Bob Marley as Ben-Adir is ed by such co-stars as Jesse Cilio, James Norton, Michael Gandolfini, Nadine Marshall, Anthony Welsh, and fellow MCU star Lashana Lynch, who portrays the artist’s wife Rita.

Reinaldo Marcus Green, who helmed the Academy Award-nominated King Richard, serves as director with a script from Zach Baylin (King Richard), Terence Winter (The Sopranos, The Wolf of Wall Street) and Frank E. Flowers.

Bob Marley: One Love will release to theaters on January 12, 2024.

Tomorrow, the next episode of Marvel’s Secret Invasion will be out on Disney Plus. So far, the project has received positive reviews, earned scorn for its A.I.-generated credits art, and there will apparently be more unhealthy eating for its villain later.

Warning: For those who have not watched, the following article contains spoilers. Read at your discretion.

Gravik actor Kingsley Ben-Adir reveals the news in an article published by The Hollywood Reporter looking at his turn on the show as the Skrull antagonist and other points in his career. At a point in the show’s first episode, he takes in a lot of sugar with his tea the average human being would not, and when asked about it by the reporter, Ben-Adir says it was a product of circumstance.

“(Laughs.) I think that’s the only thing that he likes. It’s his one enjoyment, maybe. His last little pleasure. There was just a cup of tea and sugar on the table that day, and it was something that we kept. There are more sugar cubes coming as we go along.”

Elsewhere in the report, the entertainer adds he was sold on the project after getting a look at two scripted scenes where one featured him fighting with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. Working with Ben Mendelsohn was another prime factor, and when crafting the character, he looked to cult leaders who claim a certain nobility, but in reality, are no better than a basic sewer rat.

“It felt appropriate as the villain in this piece to explore the antisocial personality disorder side of things. The righteousness of what he’s doing is this complete crock of [nonsense], and it’s just how he uses and manipulates people. He is testing everyone constantly, and that becomes quite fun to play. It becomes something that you can ground yourself in, and then I felt that all the scenes started to have more interesting layers than just what he was saying. What he says and he does are different things.” 

Ben-Adir does not spoil anything major about what is ahead for his character. Those who want to find out can catch it tomorrow on Disney Plus, and the rest of the project’s initial six episodes looking at the MCU’s spies are set to run through Jul. 26, as well. Whether the controversial opening animation will be updated remains to be seen, and for those hoping a certain star who met their end in the pilot will be back, you should not assume this will be the case as they have indicated their Marvel time is truly over.

After just one episode of Secret Invasion, one thing is abundantly clear; this ain’t your granddaddy’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. Indeed, gone are the quips, capes, and cacophony, and in its place is a much quieter, much more brutal ethos that looks all but ready to ravage the spirits of our heroes as much as the Skrulls wish to ravage the planet.

There is one familiarity that Secret Invasion has chosen to employ, and that’s the presence of a villain with the gravitas of an entire planet. We can only hope that his life won’t be cut short like so many scene-stealers before him, but we get the feeling that whatever Gravik gets up to in the coming chapters will leave more than enough of an impression anyway; he certainly left a mark in the inaugural episode’s closing minutes, after all.

Of course, it’s no easy task to craft a villain of Gravik’s weight, and actor Kingsley Ben-Adir, knowing this, opted to explore some dark corners of humanity to really capture what the extraterrestrial antagonist needed to be. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ben-Adir revealed that a big part of understanding Gravik came down to understanding cult leaders, which the actor modeled the character after.

“He’s had enough of listening to people who are full of shit, and it really became a simple thing to wrap my head around. I was like, “I understand this kind of feeling that creates these guys who behave in this way.” So the more I looked at cult leaders who are able to manipulate whole communities of people to do these horrific acts for justified reasons, it felt appropriate as the villain in this piece to explore the antisocial personality disorder side of things.”

He would go on to explain Gravik’s exact modus operandi, as it were; namely by being contentious in the most magnetic way possible.

The righteousness of what he’s doing is this complete crock of shit, and it’s just how he uses and manipulates people. He is testing everyone constantly, and that becomes quite fun to play.

With five episodes to go, there’s still plenty of time for the deep-seated politics of Secret Invasion‘s conflict to really rear their heads in a big way, and we can only imagine the heinous shape that Gravik’s plight will take once it gets palpably tangled up with the rest of the world.

Secret Invasion is now streaming on Disney Plus. New episodes will release every Wednesday until the series finale on July 26.

The trailer for Disney Plus’ latest Marvel outing Secret Invasion had everyone hoping the elite shock troops known as Super-Skrulls could be making their big entrance in the show, specifically via the character of Kingsley Ben-Adir, aka Gravik. The British actor, who rose to prominence as Peaky Blinders‘ Colonel Ben Younger, is cooling fans down ahead of the series premiere, if only just partially.

Speaking to Screen Rant about a potential future for Gravik in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ben-Adir opened up the possibility of a Super-Skrull evolution for the character. Gravik’s goal in Secret Invasion, the actor said, is to “become as powerful as all of [his enemies] put together,” which is a plan that might extend beyond the show (maybe into the Fantastic Four film?).

When the outlet asked Ben-Adir to clarify whether he meant that Gravik could become a Super-Skrull eventually, the 37-year-old confirmed, “Super-Skrull, yeah.”

Fans were initially convinced this evolution would happen sooner rather than later based on a small moment in the trailer where Gravik’s limbs grow and extend outwards in what is a display of the Skrull’s powers that we hadn’t seen before in the MCU. Others were quick to point out, however, that, in the comics, this skill isn’t necessarily exclusive to Super-Skrulls. Still, based on what Ben-Adir has shared, it really does sound like Gravik is intentionally written in a way that hints towards a future as one of the enhanced soldiers of the alien race.

All questions will get their answers when Secret Invasion finally makes its way to Disney Plus on Wednesday, June 21.

This time tomorrow, Secret Invasion will have beamed itself into our Disney Plus queues, kicking off the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s 2023 television slate and bringing a brand new, delectably complex edge to the franchise as Nick Fury navigates some volatile politics in his fight against even more volatile shapeshifters.

Stripped of his S.H.I.E.L.D. resources, including any with the Avengers, it seems the only thing Fury can lean on entirely this time around is his unwavering grit; indeed, with the reality of the Skrull invasion throwing doubt into just about everyone’s identity, cards will have to be held close to one’s chest around even the most trustworthy faces, which is unfortunate given the foe that Fury’s finding himself up against.

That foe is none other than Gravik, the leader of a sect of hostile Skrulls who’s trying to pull many a dangerous string on Earth to scratch a rather vengeful itch. But, he didn’t just wake up one day and decide to lay waste to the planet’s inner workings; it’s the result of having plunged into a rather disturbing headspace over the course of quite a few years.

In an interview with Collider, Gravik actor Kingsley Ben-Adir divulged some of the villain’s psychological make-up, outlining how he not only had a despairing outlook on trust, but has managed to rid himself of that perceived burden entirely. The result, as one can imagine, sounds like a villain worthy of Secret Invasion‘s darker overtones.

No, I think he thinks the ultimate weakness is trust in other people or believing that there is any good in anyone. So, the only weakness he might have felt he had, he’s dismissed. It’s no one. You’re gonna understand. By the end, you’ll know exactly where he’s coming from and how he’s got there, and why he feels the way he does, but whether you think that’s right or wrong, it’s kind of up to the person.

And Gravik is just one, albeit very big, player in a sea of gray figures fighting for personal stability in a grossly unstable world, so it will be infinitely interesting to see how each character’s gameplan ends up bending and shifting with respect to the context that other players will bring to the table.

The first episode of Secret Invasion will release to Disney Plus on June 21, with additional episodes releasing on a weekly basis until the series finale on July 26.

Dozens of movies in the making, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had its fair share of villains (also, water is wet). While many often tend to skew towards the forgettable, there are a few that we have loved to hate and straight-up blow audiences away.

While the jury is still out on which camp Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Gravik will end up landing in after Secret Invasion wraps its run of episodes, he did recently offer ScreenRant a bit of insight about what exactly it is that motivates his character both within, and beyond the imminent Disney Plus series.

“On one level, he’s creating a machinery that’s going to change the outlook of everything that’s going to happen in the MCU potentially. That’s what Fury has to try and stop, but I think his motivation [is] really on a more personal level.”

Here’s hoping that Gravik’s tinkering with machinery in order to impact the MCU at large plays out a little differently to what Kang was trying to achieve in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Nevertheless, it does offer up a good sense of the scale of Nick Fury’s imminent challenge, with the actor going on to elaborate on the “why” of Gravik’s actions:

“He’s creating this chaos. But at the same time, there’s something sick in him where he wants Fury to see him doing it. That kept coming up. He obviously wants Fury and Talos to experience what he’s doing just a little bit more, so I think it is pay back. I think it’s like, “Now you eat my s*** because I ate yours for so long.” I think it keeps him appropriately dark and makes him feel kind of real because I know a lot of people feel like that sometimes. A lot of people get bullied their whole life or take it their whole life, and go, “No more. Done.” And I think that’s Gravik. I think he’s like, “Now I’m in charge.”

So it would seem that Gravik has a pretty big chip on his shoulder after being a deep-cover Skrull living on Earth all of his life, but the way Ben-Adir describes him, it also seems that he is something of an agent of chaos for the sake of retribution. As of right now, we can safely assume that there are a few layers to peel away when it comes to Gravik – and here’s hoping he doesn’t end up being as forgettable as some of his preceding villainous peers.

We’ll find out for certain when Secret Invasion finally lands on Disney Plus on June 21.