Summary

• Marvel Studios' Armor Wars could set up James "Rhodey" Rhodes as the next leader of the MCU's Avengers team.
• Rhodey's MCU history and Multiverse Saga storyline mean he is very deserving of a leadership position in the new Avengers team.
• Even if Rhodey doesn't lead the core Avengers team, Armor Wars could bring Marvel Comics' West Coast Avengers into the MCU.

One veteran MCU hero could become the perfect leader for the next Avengers team in Marvel Studios' upcoming Armor Wars movie. After debuting as James "Rhodey" Rhodes in 2010's Iron Man 2, Don Cheadle revealed that a movie focused on War Machine was in development, Although news subsequently went quiet, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige confirmed in 2020 that a War Machine series would be produced for Disney+, though 2022 revealed the series would be reworked back into a movie. Not much is known about Marvel Studios' Armor Wars, but the project is expected to continue Iron Man's MCU legacy.

Don Cheadle's Rhodey has been one of the most sidelined characters in the MCU, despite the character having been operating in the franchise since the very beginning. Terrence Howard originally portrayed Rhodey in 2008's Iron Man, but Cheadle had the honor of bringing War Machine fully into the MCU. While War Machine fought alongside Iron Man, became an official Avenger, and fought against Thanos and his armies, Armor Wars will mark Rhodey's debut solo MCU project. It's high time Rhodey becomes a main character, particularly following his tragic Multiverse Saga story, and the MCU's Armor Wars can make this happen.

War Machine Could Lead The MCU’s New Avengers

Recent speculation suggests that Armor Wars could see Rhodey build a new team of Avengers in the MCU. Recent updates concerning 2025's upcoming Captain America: Brave New World have revealed that Sam Wilson's Captain America will be urged to reform the Avengers, who have been absent in the MCU since 2019's Avengers: Endgame. However, Captain America: Brave New World's first footage didn't confirm whether Sam Wilson will actually agree to bring together the new Avengers team, or if he'll lead the team long-term if he does form them, so the opportunity is there for Rhodey to assume the leadership role.

This could present Rhodey with the perfect opportunity to become a main character in the MCU, which he sorely deserves after 16 years of being a sidekick and secondary hero. Rhodey watched both Captain America and Iron Man lead the Avengers, and will have learned from his predecessors' mistakes, making him a more competent and confident leader. Similarly to Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, Rhodey's military history also means he has the tactical mind necessary to be a strong leader, and this would perhaps be the best way for War Machine to carry on Iron Man's legacy in the MCU.

Rhodey’s Multiverse Saga Storyline Makes Him Perfect To Form The New Avengers

In the wake of Avengers: Endgame, Don Cheadle's future in the MCU as War Machine was uncertain. Rhodey reappeared briefly in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, watching over Sam Wilson's speech as he donated Captain America's shield to the United States government. This set up Rhodey's return as President Ritson's aide in Phase 5's Secret Invasion, which revealed that Rhodey was actually a Skrull, Raava, in disguise. Since this reveal, there has been some confusion about when Rhodey was replaced, but this could mean him becoming the Avengers' leader is the perfect next step for the hero.

Martin Freeman's Everett K. Ross was also revealed to have been replaced by a Skrull in Secret Invasion, though it's unclear exactly when either him or Rhodey were replaced.

Some theories suggest Rhodey was swapped by a Skrull following his accident in Captain America: Civil War, while others suggest the switch could have taken place after Avengers: Endgame. Either of these points in time would have seen Rhodey reawaken in Secret Invasion with the mindset of the Avengers still being a consistent presence in the MCU. His realization that the Avengers are no longer operating together could prompt him to recreate the team in Armor Wars, particularly since he may be seeking a new purpose after the death of his best friend and his own traumatic Multiverse Saga experiences.

The New Avengers Forming In Armor Wars Would Give The Project More Meaning

Since Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige confirmed the development of Armor Wars back in 2020, there has been some resistance from viewers who perhaps don't see a need for Rhodey to have his own adventure without Iron Man. Marvel Studios has come under scrutiny in recent years for producing a huge number of new projects in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, with many not connecting, and seemingly adding little to the overall narrative of the MCU. Some would argue Armor Wars fits into this category, but bringing together the MCU's new Avengers team in Armor Wars would certainly assuage these concerns.

Most theories suggest that Sam Wilson will form the new Avengers team in Captain America: Brave New World, as President Ross wants him to, but Captain America: Brave New World may already be over-saturated with different storylines. This includes showcasing Harrison Ford's President Ross, developing Samuel Sterns' Leader, debuting mind-controlled super-soldiers, including Isaiah Bradley, exploring Joaquín Torres' new Falcon, and introducing new mutant characters such as Sabra. With so much going on, Captain America: Brave New World might not be the best place for the new Avengers' debut, but Armor Wars' storyline presents the perfect opportunity for the team's formation.

Marvel Comics' Armor Wars storyline saw Tony Stark travel across the world to recover stolen Stark technology from a variety of armored villains. Rhodey can embark on this same journey in the MCU's live-action Armor Wars project, and could come into contact with an array of newly-introduced heroes while on his travels. This could include the likes of Shang-Chi in San Francisco, She-Hulk in Los Angeles, Moon Knight in London, and Shuri's Black Panther in Wakanda, all of whom could help War Machine in his mission, which would allow the new Avengers to form seamlessly and organically in the MCU.

Armor Wars’ Avengers May Not Be The Main Version Of The Team

Indeed, the idea of Rhodey's War Machine becoming the leader of the Avengers in the MCU may be unorthodox, particularly since there are more powerful and substantial heroes, including Captain America, Captain Marvel and Doctor Strange, who may be better suited for the job. However, even if he doesn't lead the core team of Avengers, Rhodey can still become a leader in Armor Wars. Back in 1984, Rhodey became a founding member of Marvel Comics' West Coast Avengers, and since this team has been heavily rumored to be joining the MCU very soon, Armor Wars perfectly sets up its debut.

Clint Barton's Hawkeye and Vision founded the West Coast Avengers in Marvel Comics in order to expand the superhero team's influence across the country. The original team comprised Hawkeye, War Machine, Bobbi Morse's Mockingbird, Simon Williams' Wonder Man and Greer Nelson's Tigra, though Ant-Man, Moon Knight, the Scarlet Witch, US Agent and Spider-Woman, among many others, were featured on the team's roster over the years. With so many new heroes introduced in the Multiverse Saga, it makes sense that smaller Avengers teams may form alongside the core team, so Armor Wars could feature Rhodey leading the MCU's West Coast Avengers.