When Emilia Clarke portrayed the character Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story, she took it upon herself to create an extensive backstory for her character. She wrote countless pages detailing Qi’ra’s unseen past and future. For her latest role as G’iah in Secret Invasion, Clarke decided to take a different approach to her character’s backstory. Alongside her co-star Ben Mendelsohn, who played Talos in Captain Marvel, Clarke used improvisation to fill in nearly three decades of off-screen story.
At the beginning of Secret Invasion, G’iah and Talos are estranged, reflecting the division among the Skrulls. The Skrulls are at odds, resulting in rival factions. G’iah is aligned with Gravik’s Skrull rebellion and helps him in his violent plan to take over Earth. This plan stems from Nick Fury’s failure to fulfill his promise to find the Skrulls a new home. However, G’iah’s allegiance changes when Talos reveals that Gravik killed her mother.
In the first few episodes of Secret Invasion, Clarke and Mendelsohn spend little time in Skrull form. The show provides a reason for this, explaining that Skrulls become harder to identify if they remain in their human form. As actors, Clarke and Mendelsohn were relieved to hear this, as it meant they wouldn’t have to undergo lengthy makeup sessions. Mendelsohn recalls Kevin Feige, the producer, telling them they wouldn’t have to wear the Skrull prosthetics as often, which they both appreciated.
Clarke describes Secret Invasion as a grounded show that focuses more on the human forms of the Skrull characters. She explains that the viewer sees their human forms more often than their Skrull forms. Mendelsohn agrees, emphasizing the relatability of the show and the portrayal of the characters’ struggles.
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During the interview, Clarke and Mendelsohn discuss the development of their characters. Clarke reflects on her process as a writer and how she delved deep into the missing years of G’iah’s life. Through rehearsals with Mendelsohn, they were able to fill in the gaps and create a backstory that made sense. They also discuss Talos’ age-related decline and how it adds depth to his character.
As for the unique names of their characters, Clarke jokes about her penchant for apostrophes in names. G’iah and Qi’ra both have apostrophes in their names, but Clarke admits that it was a collaborative decision rather than her personal preference. Mendelsohn adds that G’iah is named after Earth, emphasizing the emotional attachment the Skrulls have to the planet.
Throughout the interview, Clarke and Mendelsohn express their excitement about the show and the creative process behind it. They discuss the challenges of wearing Skrull prosthetics and the relief of being able to focus on their human forms for most of the series.
Overall, the expanded content delves deeper into the dynamic between G’iah and Talos, their characters’ development, and the practical aspects of portraying Skrulls in Secret Invasion. It provides a more comprehensive understanding of the show and the actors’ experiences.
