In December 2020, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced the upcoming Phase Four slate at the Disney Investors Day. As part of that slate, two projects with links to the late Tony Stark received series orders. Those projects, Ironheart and Armor Wars, were announced as Disney+ series. However, in September 2022, Marvel shifted the latter from a show to a theatrical movie. The movie will focus on Tony Stark’s best friend, James Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine. Don Cheadle is onboard to continue as Rhodey.
Years later, it seems we aren’t much closer to Armor Wars happening, based on recent statements by Don Cheadle. In a TVLine interview, when asked about an Armor Wars update, Cheadle told the interviewer that they can find out and let him know. Welp. “…I don’t know, I’m not sure where anything is right now,” said Cheadle. “I think things are going through a lot of changes, and we’ll see what happens, we’ll see what it is.”
When and if we get Armor Wars, Cheadle hopes that Rhodey’s Skrull revelation from Secret Invasion will be addressed in that film. Maybe we will see him in Ironheart, which is actually set for a 2025 arrival.
Meanwhile, Yassir Lester, who was the Head Writer on the project and seems to remain involved even in Armor Wars‘ cinematic form, notes, “I think that, like, Marvel is constantly in a state of, like, ‘What is the most interesting?’ And I … honestly believe some of their films should have been series and some of their series should have been films. And I think that they’re taking that more into account, giving that a little bit more thought now.”
Additionally, Lester shares, “Given like with Secret Invasion – all these other things [like] the way Rhodey’s story needs to fit into the bigger universe, there is a quicker version that kind of propels him back into the story a little bit quicker, as opposed to a meditation on who the character is.”
Here’s everything we know about Armor Wars so far.
Title
The movie’s title is Armor Wars.
Armor Wars’ Plot
The Armor Wars comics contain seven issues. The story arc focuses on Tony Stark discovering his Iron Man technology is now in the hands of not just heroes, but also villains. That, of course, leads to chaos. So, of course, his bestie, Rhodey, sets off to recover the items. Disney + confirms the movie will be similar and asks, “What happens if Tony Stark’s tech falls into the wrong hands?”
Additionally, a D23 Expo panel revealed that story would follow on directly from Disney+’s Secret Invasion show.
Behind the Scenes
Comedian and writer Yassir Lester will be the show’s head writer, even through the shift from television series to a film. According to the announcement, Marvel sources say the studio was committed in getting the story told the right way and in that process realized that a feature was better suited for the project.
Armor Wars‘ Cast
So far, only Cheadle, who reprises his role as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, is announced for the movie.
Armor Wars‘ Release Date
The is currently no release date for Armor Wars.
Originally published on September 10, 2022.
