Armor Wars: Cast, Story Details & Everything We Know

Summary

War Machine will step into the spotlight in the MCU's Armor Wars movie, proving he is more than just Tony Stark's sidekick.
Armor Wars, based on the comic book story of the same name, will deal with Tony Stark's tech falling into the wrong hands and Rhodey taking action while also centering on Rhodes' Skrull impersonation highlighted in Secret Invasion.
The movie is confirmed to be moving ahead, despite not being mentioned in Phase 5 or Phase 6 projects, and Don Cheadle will be joined by other familiar MCU faces.

War Machine will finally step into the spotlight in the MCU’s Armor Wars movie. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes was introduced in the MCU's first movie, 2008's Iron Man, with Terrence Howard in the role. Don Cheadle took over the role in Iron Man 2 and has gradually become a key figure in the franchise, even being a core member of the heroes' team in Avengers: Endgame. However, Armor Wars gives Rhodey a chance to prove War Machine is more than just Tony Stark's sidekick as he headlines his own movie which is tied to the legacy of his fallen friend.

Based on the comic book story of the same name, Armor Wars will deal with Tony Stark's worst nightmare coming true as his tech falls into the wrong hands, forcing Rhodey to take action. Initially conceived as an MCU Disney+ show, the project has been upgraded to a movie, suggesting a bigger blockbuster story than fans might have expected while also potentially tying into the larger MCU narrative like Rhodey’s Skrull-based story in Secret Invasion. While there isn't much news surrounding the project yet, some recent details will surely get fans excited for Armor Wars.

Armor Wars: Latest News

war machine in armor wars and riri williams aka ironheart in the mcu

Since the announcement of the MCU Armor Wars project being turned into a movie, there haven't been any big developments. However, some of the other MCU projects have potentially shed light on Armor Wars. The arrival of Riri Williams in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, feels like something that will connect to Armor Wars. With Riri successfully building her own Ironheart suit, she could quickly get on Rhodey's radar, perhaps taking her for one of the villains who stole Stark tech. Similarly, Secret Invasion has also set up Armor Wars as Rhodey’s conflict with Nick Fury in the show came from the former being revealed as a Skrull imposter.

Armor Wars Is Still Confirmed

The MCU Armor Wars show was confirmed in December 2020 as one of several series to launch on Disney+. However, it was announced in September 2022 that the project would now be a movie after it was decided the story needed a bigger budget to be done correctly. Yassir Lester who signed on as head writer for the Armor Wars series is reportedly still on board for the film. Though the movie was not mentioned as one of the Phase 5 or Phase 6 projects at SDCC 2022, and still isn't on the upcoming Multiverse Saga slate, it has since been confirmed that Armor Wars is still moving ahead.

Armor Wars: Cast

Don Cheadle Rhodey War Machine Secret invasion

So far, Don Cheadle is the only member of the Armor Wars cast. However, fans can expect to see some familiar MCU faces involved in the movie. With Riri Williams as the only other MCU character currently with a suit of armor, it seems obvious that she will be involved in this story. Perhaps her upcoming solo series Ironheart, releasing in 2024, sets up her involvement which will likely include teaming up with Rhodey.

Before the series’ air date, Cheadle also teased how Secret Invasion will set up Armor Wars. The hint at Rhodey and Fury being at odds after Secret Invasion was certainly foreshadowed, though it was Rhodes’ Skrull impersonator calling the shots. Fury has always been willing to push boundaries to ensure security which could play into the plot of Armor Wars and continue to build tension between him and the real Rhodey. Armor Wars would also be a perfect place to bring back Justin Hammer after a long absence from the MCU as fans have been waiting for this villain to make his move once again after Iron Man 2.

Armor Wars: Story Details

How Armor Wars Could Make Iron Man A Villain One Last Time

As the title suggests, the MCU Armors Wars movie will be based on the comic of the same name. Running from 1987 to 1988, Armor Wars revolved around Tony Stark’s concerns about how his armor was being used by other people in the Marvel Universe. Stark reached a surprising realization when he found out that his designs were being employed by his enemies — sold to them by Justin Hammer, Sam Rockwell’s Iron Man 2 character. Upset by this discovery, Stark worried that his technology would be used for evil and embarked on a crusade to make sure that no harm would be inflicted by his inventions.

Don Cheadle has suggested the movie will also deal with Tony's death through Rhodey's eyes, adding some emotional depth. Though fans shouldn't expect Tony Stark to return to the MCU, the movie will likely have Rhodey seeking out those who have stolen Stark tech, perhaps as a way of protecting the legacy of his friend. However, the comic book also dealt with Tony's recklessness, targeting the character Stingray only to learn he had built his own armor without Stark tech. This would be a perfect role for Riri Williams to take in the movie if she is indeed involved.

How Secret Invasion Set Up Armor Wars

Rhodes and a Skrull screaming from Secret Invasion

Undoubtedly the biggest effects on Armor Wars' story will connect to Secret Invasion. In the MCU's first Phase 5 show, it was revealed that Rhodes has been kidnapped at some point in the MCU's past by Skrulls, leading to him being replaced by a follower of Gravik, Secret Invasion's villain. At the end of the series, Rhodes was saved from Gravik's compound along with Everett Ross who was also confirmed as an MCU character replaced by Skrulls at an unknown time.

While it is not made explicitly clear when Rhodes was replaced, one Secret Invasion theory links Rhodey to Civil War, stating that he has been a Skrull since 2016. While this would ruin many of Rhodey's character moments from Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame such as Tony's death, it would also serve as an interesting basis for Armor Wars. The show could explore Rhodey coming to terms with his imprisonment by the Skrulls, and even explain why his long stint as a Skrull led to enemies acquiring Stark tech. Regardless, it is almost a certainty that Armor Wars will deal with the ramifications of Secret Invasion’s Rhodey revelation.

How MCU Has Used Armor Wars So Far

The MCU hasn’t done Armor Wars yet, but Iron Man's potential as a villain is not an unfamiliar concept to those who have watched the Iron Man trilogy. People stealing Iron Man's designs and using them to commit evil acts is a theme that has been tackled more than once already. With Iron Man's armor as a prototype, Obadiah Stane created the Iron Monger armor and battled Stark at the end of the first Iron Man movie in 2008.

Furthermore, Justin Hammer’s story centered on him trying to get his hands on Tony Stark's Iron Man armor in Iron Man 2 after failing to emulate his rival's technology. Then in Iron Man 3, Stark's main problem was his Extremis technology, which was stolen by Aldrich Killian. This resulted in a heated battle between the two at the end of the film. Even the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy has often centered on Stark tech being used for ill purposes, such as B.A.R.F. by Mysterio, highlighting how Armor Wars’ concept could further tie to Stark’s legacy in the MCU.