Cobie Smulders, known for her role as Agent Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has expressed her desire to return to the franchise, even though her character faced a tragic and untimely death in the Secret Invasion series. Despite her enthusiasm, Smulders remains uncertain about Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige’s future plans for her character or the MCU at large. The actress’s openness to reprising her role has sparked a wave of reactions from fans, who are still not over Maria Hill’s death and hope for a possible return.

The Untimely Death of Maria Hill in the MCU

Maria Hill, portrayed by Cobie Smulders, has been a significant yet underutilized character in the MCU. Since her debut in 2012’s The Avengers, Hill has stood out for her loyalty, bravery, and leadership as a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. While she lacked superpowers, her presence was always felt as a dependable and tactical ally to the Avengers. Hill’s death in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion, which aired in 2023, was a surprising blow to fans who felt the character had much more potential that had not been explored.

In Secret Invasion, Hill was killed off in the first episode to highlight the seriousness of the threat posed by the Skrulls, an alien race infiltrating Earth. Her death was meant to add emotional weight to the series, but fans felt it was mishandled and served more as a shock factor rather than a meaningful narrative development. The decision left many disappointed and sparked outrage among viewers who felt her character deserved a better exit—or at least a more impactful storyline before being written off.

Cobie Smulders’ Desire to Return to the MCU

Despite the abrupt end to Maria Hill’s journey in the MCU, Cobie Smulders remains enthusiastic about the possibility of returning to the Marvel Universe. In a recent statement on social media (via X), Smulders shared her willingness to come back, expressing a love for her character and a desire to see more of her story unfold.

“I would love to go back, but I have no idea what they have in store for the future of Marvel or my character at this point,” Smulders said. This comment reflects her genuine uncertainty about Marvel’s future plans while also leaving the door open for potential discussions or developments.

Given the MCU’s evolving nature, with the multiverse concept allowing for alternate realities and timelines, Smulders’ return as Maria Hill is not out of the question. During a discussion with Variety about her character’s death, Smulders acknowledged the unpredictable nature of Marvel’s multiverse, where “anything is possible.”

Fans Rally for Maria Hill’s Return

The fan reaction to Smulders’ interest in returning has been overwhelmingly supportive. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments from fans expressing their desire to see Maria Hill back in the MCU, reflecting how much the character has been missed since her death in Secret Invasion. Many believe that her death was not only premature but also handled poorly, reducing her character to a mere plot device.

One fan suggested a complete retcon of Secret Invasion, saying, “have all of them return and just completely get rid of Secret Invasion,” highlighting the dissatisfaction with the series as a whole. Others have called for a deeper exploration of Hill’s backstory, like one user who tweeted, “Would love an origin story about her!”

The outrage over Hill’s death seems to be part of a broader frustration with how some female characters in the MCU have been treated. As one user pointed out, “Another early female MCU character fridged for the development of a male character. Maria and Cobie both deserved way better. That Secret Invasion show was a mess.”

For many, Hill’s death felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into her character, particularly since she had been a foundational figure since the early days of the MCU. Fans were also disappointed that her death occurred in a Disney+ series rather than a major film, which would have given her a more significant send-off. “If they were gonna kill her off why not do it in a big screen movie instead of a freaking Disney plus show 💀💀💀💀,” lamented another fan.

Some have even proposed simple ways to bring her back, such as revealing that her death was actually a Skrull impersonation, a feasible plot twist given the context of Secret Invasion. “Just make her death actually a Skrull, problem solved,” one fan suggested, encapsulating the general sentiment that there are still plenty of creative avenues to explore with her character.

Marvel’s Missed Opportunity and the Future of Maria Hill

Cobie Smulders’ potential return to the MCU is not just about fan service; it’s about righting what many see as a narrative wrong. Over the years, Maria Hill’s character has been more of a background player, despite her significant role in the comics and her crucial position within S.H.I.E.L.D. Her death in Secret Invasion felt abrupt and left fans wanting more closure for a character they had come to appreciate.

With the MCU now diving deeper into multiversal storylines and complex character arcs, there are numerous possibilities for bringing back characters, even those who have been seemingly written off. Fans are hopeful that Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios will consider these options and listen to the fanbase, which continues to express strong support for Smulders and her portrayal of Hill.

Cobie Smulders’ Impact on the MCU

Cobie Smulders’ portrayal of Maria Hill has been beloved by fans for over a decade, marking her as a standout among the non-superpowered characters in the MCU. Her role in several major Marvel films and series, from The Avengers to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, has made her a familiar and trusted face in the franchise. Even though her character never took center stage, Hill’s consistency, reliability, and no-nonsense attitude left a lasting impact on the audience.

Her death in Secret Invasion might have marked an end for the character, but in the MCU, the end is never really the end. As Marvel Studios continues to expand its cinematic universe with new characters and unexpected twists, the possibility of bringing back old favorites like Maria Hill is always on the table. With Cobie Smulders ready and willing to return, fans can only hope that Marvel will find a way to do justice to a character who deserved so much more.

A Second Chance for Maria Hill?

As the MCU continues to evolve, Cobie Smulders’ readiness to return as Maria Hill gives fans hope for a potential comeback. The character’s death in Secret Invasion may have been a misstep, but Marvel’s vast and flexible storytelling framework offers numerous opportunities to correct it. Whether through a multiverse twist, an alternate reality, or even a prequel exploring her origins, fans are eager to see more of Maria Hill’s story. And with Smulders on board, the ball is now in Kevin Feige’s court to decide whether this beloved character will get another shot at the MCU spotlight.