Secret Invasion star Kingsley Ben-Adir has taken the entertainment industry by storm with his breakthrough performance as Malcolm X in Regina King’s One Night in Miami. Just two weeks after the release of the film, Ben-Adir received a call from Marvel Studios offering him the role of Gravik, the Skrull antagonist in the highly anticipated miniseries. The opportunity to work alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn instantly sold Ben-Adir on the project.
One of the scenes that convinced Ben-Adir to accept the role was a fight scene between Gravik and Nick Fury, portrayed by Jackson. The actor reveals, “That [Nick Fury fight scene] was one of the scenes that I read before I accepted the job. So I felt all of those feelings when I was reading it, and I was like, ‘Oh man, this is gonna be a week or two of Sam on the floor.’ So that scene and another scene with Ben [Mendelsohn] made me say, ‘Wow, I’ve really gotta do this.’”
In Captain Marvel, Fury and Carol Danvers promised their Skrull allies a new planet to call home. However, after nearly three decades, the promise remains unfulfilled, leading Gravik to seize Earth by any means necessary. Ben-Adir suggests that there is more to his character’s motivations than just retaliation, explaining, “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. The audience will feel that there’s a tension or something that is not being said, and that there’s something you don’t know about the way that he feels.”
When asked about his character’s sugar intake in a scene from the series, Ben-Adir jokes that sugar may be the only thing Gravik enjoys on Earth. The actor reveals that the role was a straight offer from Marvel Studios and came shortly after the success of One Night in Miami.
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Gravik’s journey in Secret Invasion is driven by immense trauma, mistrust of leadership, and broken promises. Ben-Adir explains, “It’s the buildup of all of that. 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. The idea was to create something grounded, real, and darker.” The actor also drew inspiration from Amazon’s crime series ZeroZeroZero, particularly the portrayal of Manuel, a character with dark and sinister undertones.
In the trailer for Secret Invasion, there is a scene with multiple versions of Gravik in a meeting with Talos, played by Ben Mendelsohn. Ben-Adir reveals that he shot in each spot and the footage was later composited using CGI tricks. He also talks about the importance of creating tension and ambiguity in his character’s actions and words, stating that there is something more going on beneath the surface.
Reflecting on his previous work, Ben-Adir acknowledges the significance of his role in Netflix’s The OA. He describes it as a “huge offer” and recalls the challenges he faced in securing a visa for the job. Despite the show’s cancellation, Ben-Adir recognizes its impact and considers it a significant project in his career.
With his breakout performances in One Night in Miami and now Secret Invasion, Kingsley Ben-Adir continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. His portrayal of Gravik promises to be a complex and captivating addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans can look forward to witnessing Ben-Adir’s dynamic performances alongside acting powerhouses such as Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn in the highly anticipated series.
