When Robert Downey Jr. shocked San Diego Comic-Con this summer, he said, “New mask, same task.” This obvious stunt-casting of Downey Jr. in the role of Dr. Doom has yet to be explained in-universe, though multiverse shenanigans are sure to be the true cause. That said, Marvel has very recently, and much more quietly, vilified another hero who often wore a mask: James Rhodes, aka Rhodey, aka War Machine. In 2023’s Secret Invasion, it was revealed Don Cheadle’s beloved Marvel hero had been replaced by a shapeshifting Skrull since the 2016 events of Civil War. But, by the end of that series, the real Rhodey was back.
So where’s Rhodey’s stand-alone movie, Armor Wars? Don’t ask Don Cheadle. In a recent interview with TVLine, Cheadle said, “You can find out and let me know.” Essentially, Cheadle has no idea when and if Marvel plans to make this long-anticipated Rhodey film, which has been — checks notes — greenlit since 2011. There might be good reasons for Marvel not delivering on Armor Wars yet. However, as several MCU projects flounder to find the mainstream audiences this franchise once had, an Armor Wars project would be an instant crowd-pleaser.
