2024 is off to a great start with the much-anticipated Armor Wars update. Despite the seemingly endless development period, scooper Daniel Richtman recently revealed that Marvel Studios plans to choose a director by the first quarter of this year.
Well, it’s common knowledge that fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are always alert for intriguing new details about the projects that are in the works as the MCU expands. And if the latest rumors about one specific villain are to be believed, this often-neglected foe will finally appear in the much-awaited Armor Wars. This is not Mickey Rourke’s Ivan Vanko, a.k.a. Whiplash; rather, it is Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2 villain), who is expected to reprise the role in Armor Wars.
The project is currently being redeveloped as a theatrical film after first being planned as a six-part series on Disney+.
Armor Wars: Justin Hammer is Poised for a Comeback?
There have reportedly been talks for Sam Rockwell to reprise his role as Iron Man 2’s villainous entrepreneur and frequent foe, Justin Hammer. Beyond that, we do not know much, but considering his background with the Armored Avenger and the fact that he also helped in the creation of the War Machine, we have to assume he would be a great adversary.
Following that, production is scheduled to begin in 2025, with a release window of 2026–2027. Though it seems like the project has been in the works for a long time, scooper Daniel Richtman said yesterday that Marvel Studios is currently looking to hire a director in the first quarter of this year.
Sam Rockwell reportedly had talks with Marvel Studios to return as Justin Hammer in ‘ARMOR WARS’.
They’re aiming a 2025 filming begin date.
(Via: @DanielRPK) pic.twitter.com/IHsF9oM0FX
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) December 31, 2023
Justin Hammer, a rival industrialist vying for Tony Stark’s fame and fortune, was brought to life by Rockwell in the 2010 smash-hit film Iron Man 2. Fans will never forget his guile and resourcefulness, even though his aspirations were not fulfilled and he ended up behind bars. His return is highly anticipated, especially now that rumors are circulating about a potential comeback.
Also, Rockwell has expressed his willingness to reprise his role as Hammer on multiple occasions and he did so in a What If…? episode as recently as last month. When asked a year ago if he would be interested in working on a project like Thunderbolts, he said (ComicBookMovie),
“Yeah, definitely. I would be into that. [Thunderbolts] sounds cool…[Hammer’s] fun, he’s a real Lex Luthor.”
Although we do not expect to see him in that film, Hammer deserves more attention in Armor Wars given his failed attempts to unseat Tony Stark in 2010. As the suspense builds, it is impossible to ignore the possibilities that await this underappreciated Iron Man villain.
What We Know About the Plot of Marvel Comics’ Armor Wars
Tony Stark’s concerns over other Marvel Universe characters utilizing his armor served as the central theme of Armor Wars, which were published from 1987 to 1988. Stark had an eye-opening revelation when he discovered that his adversaries were exploiting his designs and that Iron Man 2′s Justin Hammer had been selling them. Startled by this information, Stark began a crusade to make sure that his inventions would not hurt people because the technology could be used for wicked purposes.
Don Cheadle will assume the role of James Rhodes/War Machine, an Air Force officer who serves as a point of contact between the armed forces and the Department of Acquisitions. Meanwhile, Goggins will play Sonny Burch.
The script for Armor Wars is being written by Yassir Lester, and there is no confirmed release date for the film yet.
