Avengers 4 shock SKRULL theory proved by THIS new image? Which Avenger is it?

Who do you trust?

Loyalty and betrayal have been major themes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

HYDRA’s infiltration of SHIELD was already a tremedous blow, while the comics went one further and turned Captain America into the ultimate Nazi sleeper agent.

Once it was revealed that the Skrulls woudl play a major role in the Captain Marvel movie, fans began to suggest that certain major characters might have been secretly Skrulls all along.

The movie is set years before the MCU timeline, so it is completely possible that Skrulls might have infiltrated high-level organisation and even become powerful characters already.

New photographs from the Captain Marvel film show the Skrulsl for the first time, wading out of the sea, lead by Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos.

But it is the next image which really sets off the alarm bells. 

It shows Mendelsohn in human form with the caption: “On Earth, Mendelsohn’s Talos goes undercover as a human working within S.H.I.E.L.D.”

This confirms that the Skrulls had already infiltrated SHIELD in the 1990s. But who else have they replaced?

One major theory suggests a Skrull has been impersonating Thor since just before Ragnarok. It cites his changed, newly and hugely humorous character, new flair for costumes and sudden lack of knowledge (he says) of the location of any Infinity Stones.

This would not sit well with fans who have responded enthusiastically to Taiki Waititi’s new and improved God of Thunder.

An even more contentious theory positions Hulk as a Skrull impostor.

The theory argues that the Skull took him when he flew off on his own at the end of Age of Ultron. It cites his changed  personality, ability to stay in control for two full years on Sakaar and his apparent lesser strength. A Skrull would struggle to replicate Hulk’s rage-fuelled power, hence his near defeat by Thor and pummelling at the hands of Thanos, as well as the growing conflict between Bruce and Hulk.

Again, this will not sit well with fans.

In the comicbook Secret Invasion arc, no top tier Avengers are replaced. It seems likely if the movies decide to follow this path, they will choose lesser, but well-positioned Avengers like Scarlet Witch, Falcon or newer characters from Ant-Man or Black Panther.

Of course, another intriguing theory suggests that the ever shifting, enigmatic Black Widow is the perfect candidate…

FULL SET OF CAPTAIN MARVEL IMAGES AT EW