Invasion Producer Simon Kinberg Talks Season 3, The Running Man, and More

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Simon Kinberg is a versatile talent in the film industry, excelling as both a writer, producer, and director. His early screenplays, such as “xXx: State of the Union” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” brought him into the limelight within Hollywood. Subsequently, he played a significant role in shaping the X-Men franchise with films like “X-Men 3: The Last Stand,” “X-Men: First Class,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “X-Men: Apocalypse,” “Dark Phoenix,” “Logan,” “The New Mutants,” and the TV series “Legion” and “The Gifted.” Additionally, he contributed to the Deadpool trilogy. Kinberg also made his mark in the Star Wars universe by co-creating the animated series “Star Wars Rebels” and is currently working on a new Star Wars film as both a writer and producer. To top it off, he’s penning an upcoming series for Apple TV+ titled “Invasion,” further solidifying his reputation in various genres.

The third season of “Invasion” is set a few years following previous events. Currently, the alien motherships have been eliminated, and it appears humans have successfully dealt with the Hunter-Killer predators. Life seems peaceful, but this serenity is threatened when an ominous alien threat resurfaces, aiming to regain control of Earth once more.

In an interview with ComicBook, Kinberg discussed topics such as time leaps, character suffering, creating a distinctive extraterrestrial race, transforming “Magic: The Gathering” into a movie, and updating “The Running Man” for modern times.

In the new season, we find ourselves two years since the end of the previous one. This temporal shift offers us an opportunity to delve deeper into the characters’ development and the current condition of humanity.

Simon Kinberg explains that the two-year time leap at the beginning of the season allows for a fresh perspective. It shows us what the world might look like as it begins to regain some semblance of normality, yet still carries remnants or aftereffects of the shared global trauma. This time jump also offers an opportunity to delve into the lives of the main characters post-invasion, which is rarely explored in invasion narratives. A two-year recovery period was chosen to depict who can move forward and who struggles, and to develop relationships for characters like Aneesha and Clark. It explores Jamila’s response to Caspar’s loss, her transition into college life as a young adult, Mitsuki’s adjustment to withdrawing from the world, and serves as an intriguing lens into each character’s journey as they navigate peace.

In addition, I found the finale of the previous season intriguing, particularly when Trevante and Caspar, each in their unique style, embarked on a mission aboard the mothership. To avoid a straightforward continuation at the start of this season, I chose to keep the events from the mothership as an ongoing enigma that gradually unfolds throughout the season, making for a more engaging narrative than presenting it all at once in the premiere episode.

I can’t help but notice the irony-we’ve collectively endured a significant ordeal with COVID a few years back and have somehow managed to rebound, even returning to movie theaters and shopping malls. However, here we are today communicating over Zoom. It seems that certain aspects of our lives and society may have been altered irrevocably. From a science-fiction perspective, I often wonder how a similar scenario might unfold in our show. What would be our unique take on such an event?

After being absent without leave for two years, Trevante makes a comeback, yet he seems changed. What challenges is he facing, and how might his experiences potentially provide the ultimate solution to vanquishing these extraterrestrial adversaries permanently?

Trevante doesn’t recall the events on the alien spacecraft responsible for its destruction. However, this knowledge crucial to dismantling the ship forever lies within him, unbeknownst to him. Throughout the series, several incidents occur that elevate his importance, yet the details of what transpired on the ship remain hazy. The mystery serves a purpose. There’s a reason for his memory loss.

The storyline’s sci-fi element and plot twists are intriguing, but I found the emotional depth added by Trevante’s survival and Caspar’s demise particularly captivating. This tragic event serves as another layer of trauma for him, having lost his biological son before the invasion even began.

What is the main focus of the group now, since Season 2 was centered around bringing together key members for a grand finale?

This year’s storyline focuses on bringing together our primary characters and testing their ability to coexist amidst adversity. While the challenge lies in dealing with extraterrestrial beings, it also centers around the struggle of working together with individuals who are foreign to each other due to their diverse backgrounds and circumstances. This aspect is reminiscent of the “Saving Private Ryan” mentality, as one character lives in the wilderness, another battles PTSD and memory loss, another attends college, while yet another resides in the suburbs as a married couple. Given their stark differences, if they fail to bridge those gaps, it could spell doom for humanity; but if they succeed, there may be hope for survival. In essence, the mission’s success hinges on their human relationships.

How pivotal of a role does Mitsuki play in this new gambit?

1. She often plays a crucial role in this TV series. (Regarding “She is always pretty pivotal”)
2. Shioli Kutsuna delivers an extraordinary performance. She’s captivating to watch, even when she’s not doing much. Her acting is incredibly subtle. (Regarding “Shioli Kutsuna is such a frigging amazing actress. She is so watchable. Even when she is doing very little, she is so subtle.”)
3. Last season hinted at Mitsuki having an unusual understanding of the aliens. This season delves deeper into that and presents it in new ways. (Regarding “We saw last season that Mitsuki understands the aliens in a way. We pick up on that this season and explore it in some different ways.”)

How could Earth appear to have defeated the Hunter-Killers? What is it about the latest Apex alien species that makes them more frightening and threatening than any previous encounters humans have had?

Previously, they’ve encountered threats from extraterrestrial beings that were physical in nature. They are accustomed to such physical challenges. Whether the enemies are supernatural or not, we can engage them with firepower. In combat scenarios, the fights take place on a physical level among us humans. However, the Apex aliens have an unconventional method of attack, making it not just a physical struggle, but also a psychological one for our characters. I’d rather keep the specifics under wraps, so it turns out to be as much a mental challenge as a physical one for them.

Will the Apex aliens, with their tentacle attacks, make a full appearance for viewers at some time?

We’re about to encounter them again. After investing considerable resources and hard work, we’ve managed to develop intelligent extraterrestrial beings who are now orchestrating this invasion. Eventually, these aliens are the ones responsible for the mysterious events depicted in previous seasons.

How difficult was it to create a striking alien form that hasn’t been seen before?

The process of creating these intricate alien characters has been quite challenging, as Erik Henry, our VFX supervisor, and I have sifted through numerous artists’ works, produced countless renderings, and refined countless iterations for each one. The visual effects involved meticulous attention to detail and a vast amount of laborious work.

Instead of focusing on aliens that have been portrayed in films, we took inspiration from various organisms found in nature, such as underwater life, insects, rainforest creatures, and jellyfish. This decision was made not only for the aesthetics of our Apex aliens but also to ensure their movements would convey an otherworldly, underwater feel, differentiating them from terrestrial creatures and our understanding of gravity.

Were you aiming for a significant amount of resolution in the Season 3 finale, or are you planning any major developments if the series gets renewed for another season?

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d say that Season 3 leaves us with some plot points neatly tied up, yet it also leaves several intriguing mysteries wide open for exploration. While I can’t guarantee another season, I’ve certainly been brainstorming exciting ideas to further develop the narrative and characters beyond this season.

Looking ahead, any updates on your Star Wars movie?

I’m unable to provide any information on the topic. I apologize for any disappointment this may cause, as I suspect you were expecting the same. However, allow me to share that I have a deep affection for Star Wars and I always feel thrilled when I get an opportunity to immerse myself in it.

Have you read a script for it yet?

That I cannot tell you.

What are some of the difficulties encountered when transforming a property such as Magic: The Gathering into a movie format?

I don’t currently work with “Magic: The Gathering,” but it presents unique challenges since it isn’t a traditional narrative form. While there are elements of world-building and characters, it doesn’t tell a story in the same way as a comic book. Crafting a continuous, emotionally resonant tale that encompasses all desired aspects can be more difficult with this format compared to a comic book. It’s simply a bit trickier to navigate.

In what ways are you giving The Running Man remake a modern twist this fall?

I’m thrilled beyond words! Ever since Edgar Wright captured my admiration 25 years ago, especially with the release of “Shaun of the Dead,” our paths have crossed. Our encounter took place when I first moved to Los Angeles in the early stages of my career, and it was equally early in his as well – possibly even before “Shaun” was released. For me, it was around 2000. We reminisced about this not long ago. We met at a hotel and spent some time chatting outside. Over the years, we’ve managed to stay connected. I had submitted numerous projects I hoped he would direct, but those collaborations never materialized.

Initially, I noticed that he had tweeted about only remaking “The Running Man,” a film owned by Paramount. Intrigued, I became involved in the project. The first person I contacted was Edgar Wright, who expressed interest right away. This new take on the movie is more faithful to Stephen King’s original book and can be considered an authentic Edgar Wright production, which is a high compliment. Glen Powell delivers an exceptional performance in it, but the film truly revolves around him as he appears in almost every scene. The role represents a fresh direction for Glen. Additionally, we have an impressive ensemble cast featuring Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, and Michael Cera, among others. However, it’s Glen who really carries the film.

1. Initial observation: I noticed he had tweeted about a possible remake of “The Running Man.”
2. Involvement in the project: I became involved in the project.
3. First contact: The first person I contacted was Edgar Wright.
4. Expression of interest: He expressed immediate interest.
5. Loyalty to Stephen King’s book: This new take on the movie is more faithful to Stephen King’s original book.
6. Authentic Edgar Wright production: It can be considered an authentic Edgar Wright production, which is a high compliment.
7. Glen Powell’s exceptional performance: Glen Powell delivers an exceptional performance in it.
8. Film’s focus on Glen: The film truly revolves around him as he appears in almost every scene.
9. Fresh direction for Glen: The role represents a fresh direction for Glen.
10. Impressive ensemble cast: Additionally, we have an impressive ensemble cast featuring Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, and Michael Cera, among others.
11. Glen carrying the film: However, it’s Glen who really carries the film.

It looks like you physically put Glen Powell through hell in those trailers.

Glen is incredibly enthusiastic about it, embodying the spirit of Tom Cruise who performs his own stunts, maintains physical fitness, and always shows up as the most prepared individual on set. This is how Glen typically functions.

Invasion Season 3 premieres on Apple TV+ on August 22nd.

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2025-08-21 01:17