Particularly now that they’ve started choosing television episodes or stand-alone specials to bring some legendary storylines to life, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still evolving in some exciting ways. Armor Wars, an adaptation of the same-named Iron Man comic arc, was one of the earliest ideas touted as a Disney+ television series. However, as was revealed this week, it’s getting a little bit of a remix.
Marvel’s “Armor Wars,” which was initially intended to be a TV series for Disney+, is now being produced as a feature film. Don Cheadle will play War Machine’s alter ego James “Rhodey” Rhodes in “Armor Wars,” reprising his MCU role. The project is based on the seven-issue Iron Man narrative arc in Marvel Comics of the same name, and it follows Rhodes as he must deal with what occurs when Tony Stark’s technology is misused. The “Armor Wars” comics were created by Mark D. Bright and Barry Windsor-Smith in 1987 and 1988 and were written by David Michelinie and Bob Layton. The project will continue to be written by Yassir Lester, who was initially slated to serve as the series’ lead author.
Since Armor Wars was first approved, there have been many unanswered questions, which raises the question of what potential effects the movie may have on the MCU as a whole now that it is going to be released on the big screen. What Marvel villains could possibly appear in particular, especially given how the original “Armor Wars” are portrayed in the comics? Here are some potential options.
Jeremy Hammer
One fan favorite has been on fans’ thoughts as more and more supporting characters have made appearances in more recent MCU projects: Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer, who last made an appearance in Iron Man 3. Hammer is one of the key reasons Tony Stark’s technology ends up in the wrong hands in the comics, and whether or not that happens, Armor Wars still seems like a no-brainer method for him to return. There has already been some demand to see Hammer in Thunderbolts.
Dr. Doomed
Doctor Doom #drdoom #fantasticfour #comicartist pic.twitter.com/AFY1BfsubK
— Alex Ross (@thealexrossart) September 28, 2022
Of course, Doctor Doom—whom Tony originally suspects of stealing his technology—is one of the most well-known characters to appear in the “Armor Wars” comic. Although it doesn’t turn out that way, he participates in the adaptation of the storyline in Iron Man: Armored Adventures and has previously engaged Tony in combat. Doom’s impending appearance in the MCU is the subject of numerous theories, and a recently made Armor Wars movie would be one of the most unusual settings for him to show up.
Spymaster
Spymaster, who stole Tony’s invention and sold it to Hammer, was another instigating factor in that occurrence. Spymaster is a master of industrial espionage who hasn’t made his MCU debut yet, but he’d be a great addition to help flesh out the world of the series and the other hints at the black market that we’ve seen in films like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Firepower
The character Firepower, created by Tony’s adversary Edwin Cord in an effort to build a new armoured supersoldier, does wind up being connected to the events of “Armor Wars.” The Firepower project was refocused to try to completely stop Iron Man after Tony’s technology started to spread around the world. This battle has the potential to play out in an epic way in the film. Plus, a live-action adaptation of that original armour would be fascinating.
Avenging Angel
Frank Castle’s connection to the Iron Man mythos may be recent, but it is significant because he was given the War Machine armour after the events of Secret Empire. For a while, Frank wears the mantle—albeit with his own vicious twist—before giving it back to Rhodey after his resurrection. Similar to Doctor Doom, there are a tonne of theories about when and how Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle could legitimately emerge in the MCU. If he did, it would undoubtedly lead to a unique dilemma for Rhodey in the movie.
Stilt-Man
Garth Ennis + Steve Dillon team up for new Marvel MAX series, “Rise of #StiltMan!” Get info: https://t.co/LJ5lZPLWF3 pic.twitter.com/3WmeHbUItV
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) April 1, 2016
Stilt-Man, one of the strangest (and probably greatest) names associated with “Armor Wars,” is a Daredevil villain who originally wore a metal outfit with stilts that allowed him to adjust his height to absurdly high levels. Due to his aesthetic silliness, the character has become into a bit of a fan favourite. He also recently encountered Tony in the current Iron Man run. Stilt-Man is one of the most memorable ways to illustrate the potential effects of Tony’s technology on other costumed weirdos.
