One of the newest Marvel Studios' series to be heading to Disney+ is Armor Wars which will see James Rhodes contend with both allies and enemies who have sought to use Tony Stark's Iron Man armor to their advantage. Although Rhodes will be suiting up as War Machine, there's a number of other characters that might be along for the ride.
Whether they pose a threat to the peaceful stability Rhodey is trying to achieve or act as a great friend in battle, these comic book and MCU characters have suited up at some stage already on the page or screen, or at least have a great chance to finally appear in a piece of armor in the upcoming show!
Riri Williams
Although Riri Williams appearing in Armor Wars is a certainty, it hasn't been totally revealed whether the character will actually get to suit up in her Ironheart armor, or whether this will be saved for her solo series. The young inventor and Champion member would certainly be a compelling partner for War Machine though.
There are lots of reasons to be excited for the debut of Williams and unlike most of the other characters featured here, Riri will likely invent her own armor when the time finally comes. Armor Wars is about those who steal Stark tech but Ironheart's intelligence will see her rival what Iron Man had previously created.
Pepper Potts
Pepper Potts is considered to be the love of Tony Stark's life and has been left behind after the hero made his final sacrifice. The MCU will surely pick up on Potts' journey bringing up Morgan and as the leader of Stark Industries, she'll surely have an opinion on the increase in Iron Man armors across the globe.
Audiences previously saw Potts suit up as the hero Rescue, complete with her own purple armor. When the going gets tough there may be an opportunity for Potts to step into this role one last time, to protect the legacy of her late husband, and to help out a friend.
Happy Hogan
Happy Hogan has actually sported his own Iron Man armor in the comics, as well as masquerading as the titular hero himself on a number of occasions. The MCU has shown that Hogan is able to protect himself in a fight but he hasn't had the moment many fans were hoping for.
If there's ever a time for Hogan to finally get his "Happy" armor, then Armor Wars is probably that opportunity. Happy is so often used as comic relief that it would be intriguing to see him actually get serious. Of course, it would be just as amusing to see the head of security struggle to operate this complex machinery.
Harley Keener
Harley Keener was the young man in Iron Man 3 that helped Tony Stark in his time of crisis. He has recently made a reappearance in Avengers: Endgame and he likely hasn't lost any of that sharp wit that made him so endearing in the first place.
As a keen inventor, there's no reason as to why Keener wouldn't be able to create his own variation on the Iron Man armor. The comics have seen the character make his debut on the page, utilizing Stark tech once more, so the writing is really on the wall here.
Steve Rogers
Steve Rogers might have found his place in the timeline alongside his beloved Peggy Carter, but out in the Multiverse, a Variant of Steve had a very different life to lead. In the reality where Peggy took the super-soldier serum and became Captain Carter, Steve suited up as Hydra Stomper.
The armor is clearly inspired by the creations of Tony Stark, considering it was his father Howard who created it. With the Multiverse in flux it might be fun to see a short cameo from the What If...? Rogers, as he attempts to fight against enemy forces in his own custom robot.
Justin Hammer
Justin Hammer is one of Tony Stark's oldest rivals. The character has made a few appearances in the MCU; unfortunately, he hasn't made the comeback that fans have been waiting for. As someone who was trying to replicate the Iron Man suit, Hammer would be a perfect villain for Armor Wars.
Hammer never got a chance to try out any of his creations in Iron Man 2, yet his time in prison might have allowed some of the problems with the designs to be ironed out. He wouldn't be that much of a physical threat even with his own suit, but he'd definitely have a good time trying out its various gadgets.
Ezekiel Stane
Obadiah Stane was the villain of the original Iron Man and a traitor to Stark Industries. His Iron Monger armor was a replication of what Tony had built for himself and while it might have been built more like a tank, it didn't have the stability of Iron Man's own blueprints.
In the comics, Obadiah has a son named Ezekiel who could be the key to Armor Wars' success. The surviving heir to Obadiah's legacy, Zeke may wish to seek revenge for what happened to his father and suit up as a variation of Iron Monger to take what he believes is rightfully his own.
Norman Osborn
Norman Osborn may be best known as the Green Goblin but the Spider-Man villain has held a few other roles in the comics, including the head of Earth's security. During the Dark Reign narrative, Osborn created his own Dark Avengers, leading them from the Iron Patriot armor.
Mocking both Captain America and Iron Man, Osborn's reign of terror lasted for quite some time. With the armor having already been introduced into the MCU and Spider-Man's rogues gallery quickly expanding, perhaps Armor Wars is where the Dark Reign will commence.
Bruce Banner
Bruce Banner was one of Stark's closest friends and a genius in his own right. Although he is an incredibly powerful Gamma character, in his human form Banner has started to use the Hulkbuster armor in order to contribute on the battlefield without having to Hulk-out.
It seems unlikely that Banner would be held back from appearing in Armor Wars especially when he already has a space reserved for him on Disney+ in She-Hulk. The role would fit him well and it would be an opportunity to see Hulkbuster on screen one more time.
Peter Parker
Peter Parker has come to fully embrace the Iron-Spider costume that Tony left him. It's a suit of armor that has become very useful in battle. Armor Wars would feel incomplete without Tony's protégé, especially considering he was one of the few people he trusted with his technology.
Although the contractual issues with Spidey appearing on Disney+ might be complex, narratively speaking it perhaps makes the most sense. If Peter Parker is to ever hand over the Spider-Man alias to Miles Morales, he still has that Iron-Spider title to fall back on!