Summary
I’m even more excited about Marvel Studios' upcomingArmor Warsmovie after learning that Ultron will be returning to theMCU. In recent months, news regarding Don Cheadle’s first solo project in the MCU has been scarce, especially after 2023’sSecret Invasionintroduced a controversial twist in the story of James “Rhodey” Rhodes' War Machine. I’m still uncertain about thestatus of Marvel Studios’Armor Wars- we haven’t had an update since 2022 - but casting news for another upcoming MCU project might spell good news for the movie.
I was thrilled to hear that James Spader will be reprising the role of Ultron in theMCU’s upcomingVisionseries, which is set to premiere in 2026 (viaThe Hollywood Reporter). This will be the first time Spader’s Ultron has been seen in the MCU since 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron, andtheVisionseries could set up the tyrannical artificial intelligence as a major threat in several upcoming projects. While a connection between theVisionseries andArmor Warshasn’t been established yet, I reckon Ultron’s return could enhance the upcoming movie massively.
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I Want To Know More About The MCU’s Upcoming Armor Wars Movie
Nothing Has Been Heard About Armor Wars Since 2022
Armor Warswas first announced to be in development in December 2020, and was originally planned to premiere as a Disney+ series focused on Rhodey’s attempts to deal with organizations trying to replicate Tony Stark’s technology and the Iron Man armor. Clearly,this was inspired by the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name from 1987, which saw Tony Stark apprehend several villains who had stolen his technology. I imaginedArmor Warsas the MCU’sIron Man 4substitute, but I’m concerned that not much is yet known about the project.
In September 2022,The Hollywood ReporterconfirmedArmor Warswould be reworked as a feature film for the MCU. Shockingly,this is the most recent update concerningArmor Wars, which makes me pretty worried that the movie might be shelved or postponed indefinitely. Marvel boss Kevin Feige neglected to comment onArmor Warsat this year’s SDCC and D23 presentations. Rhodey’s MCU story has become confusing in recent years, so I want more to be revealed aboutArmor Wars, bringing War Machine back to form.
The MCU’s Mysterious Iron Man Follow-Up Movie Can Finally Set Up The Next Avengers Leader
Marvel Studios' upcoming Armor Wars movie will continue Iron Man’s MCU legacy, and could see a veteran hero step up to be the Avengers' next leader.
Ultron’s Return To The MCU Could Make Armor Wars Even More Important
James Spader Is Returning As Ultron In The MCU’s Vision Series
I can’t wait forJames Spader to return to the MCU(Spader’s Robert California fromThe Officeis one of my favorite characters of all time), but I think his return won’t only benefit Marvel Television’sVisionseries. Ultron coming back to the MCU could also makeArmor Warsa much more crucial cog in the Multiverse Saga machine, particularly since the robot tyrant slots perfectly into theArmor Warsstoryline from Marvel Comics.Ultron has nothing to do with Tony Stark in the comics, but he is the ultimate case of missing Stark technology in the MCU.
Hank Pym created Ultron in Marvel Comics in 1968, basing the artificial intelligence on his own brain waves. Ultron formed a hatred for Pym, though became fascinated by Janet Van Dyne, and he was the first major character to wield the fictional metal alloy, adamantium.
In the MCU,Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark created Ultron in 2015’s eponymousAvengers: Age of Ultron. He intended Ultron to act as a protective shield for the planet Earth, but Ultron surmised that he should protect the world from the Avengers and humanity. Ultron’s connection to Vision means the latter’s solo series is the perfect place for the artificial intelligence to return, but his connection to Stark makes me think thatArmor Warswill also feature Ultronas its villain, making War Machine’s solo movie even more important.
Armor Wars Can Adapt Marvel’s Biggest Ultron Storyline Better Than The Avengers
Avengers: Age Of Ultron Didn’t Adapt Marvel Comics' Age Of Ultron Properly
Despite being titledAvengers: Age of Ultron, the Phase 2 crossover movie had nothing to do with the Marvel Comics story of the same name from 2013.In Marvel Comics’Armor Warsevent, an alternate universe was explored in which Ultron had succeeded in conquering the world and rebuilding it in his own image. This storyline was adapted for Marvel Animation’sWhat If…?season 1, episode 8, “What If… Ultron Won?.” Even thoughWhat If…?already exploredAge of Ultron, I’d still love to see this story play out in live-action.
I think this would be a fantasticstory to tell inArmor Wars, especially if the movie releases as part of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Similarly to howDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessexplored alternate realities,Deadpool & Wolverinecaught up with Earth-10005, andThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill venture into a new universe,Armor Warscan do the same.This could makeArmor Warsa much more expansive, transformative and intense story for Rhodey, certainly redeeming him from his recent disappointments in the MCU.
Iron Man May Have Predicted An MCU Phase 6 Story 13 Years Ago
Justin Hammer has been rumored to be returning in the MCU’s Armor Wars, and this return may have been predicted way back in Phase 1’s Iron Man 2.
I Don’t Think Rhodey Is Strong Enough To Take On Ultron Alone In Armor Wars - He’ll Need Help
War Machine Could Bring Together A New Avengers Team In Armor Wars
While featuring Ultron inArmor Warsmakes sense to me, and makes me think thatArmor Warscould be a great place to explore Marvel Comics’Age of Ultronevent properly, this also makes me worried for Rhodey.War Machine is simply not strong enough to take on a villain as powerful as Ultron by himself - Tony Stark’s Iron Man certainly couldn’t do it alone inAvengers: Age of Ultron. However, Rhodey doesn’t need to do this alone, asArmor Warsmay also set up a brand-new Avengers team in theMCU’s Phase 6: the West Coast Avengers.
The West Coast Avengers team was first formed by Hawkeye and Vision in 1984’sThe West Coast Avengers #1, as they wanted to extend the Avengers' influence outside of New York City. The founding members of the team including Hawkeye, Mockingbird, War Machine, Wonder Man and Tigra.
War Machine is a key member of the West Coast Avengers in Marvel Comics, and several other notable members have been introduced in recent years, or soon will be.White Vision, Wonder Man and Clint Barton’s Hawkeye could form the team’s foundations, while West Coast heroes such as Ant-Man, She-Hulk and Shang-Chi would also be formidable additions. If Ultron is set to appear inArmor Wars, I think Rhodey’s West Coast Avengers would be the perfect heroes to take him on, and the possibility of this happening makes me very excited for the upcoming movie.
Armor Wars
Cast
Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, Armor Wars is an MCU movie centered on Rhodey Rhodes' mission to honor Tony Stark’s legacy and keep his Iron Man technology from wreaking havoc when they fall into the wrong hands. Starring Don Cheadle as War Machine, Marvel Studios' Armor Wars adapts the eponymous comic book storyline to the big screen in the Multiverse Saga.
