Iron Man has been one of the most popular and iconic superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since its inception in 2008. After sacrificing himself in Avengers: Endgame, fans have been wondering who, if anyone, would replace him as the MCU’s armored hero.
Now, that Marvel has finally confirmed Iron Man’s real MCU replacement. And it’s none other than James Rhodes, aka War Machine. This was revealed in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion. Kevin Feige announced it during Disney’s Investor Day 2020, but it was then in an early infant stage, as per the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios.
The Armor Wars Announcement Was Made When It Was Not Even Ready
Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, made the announcement of Armor Wars starring Longtime MCU actor Don Cheadle during Disney’s Investor Day 2020. This announcement was part of a larger presentation that revealed Marvel’s ambitious plans for its future projects within the MCU.
However, the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios claims that when announced back in 2020, the film was “nowhere near ready.” It was just a pressure from Disney on Kevin Feige to make the announcement.
The film is based on the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name and is a sequel to Secret Invasion and Ironheart.
Why James “Rhodey” Rhodes Is the Best Choice to Replace Iron Man?
James “Rhodey” Rhodes is the ideal replacement for the late Iron Man in the forthcoming Armor Wars, according to the MCU.
He has been a consistent presence in Stark’s journey, from rescuing him in his early days to becoming a trusted ally in the fight against villains. They have fought side-by-side in countless battles, and they have always had each other’s backs. This deep understanding and respect for each other is what makes Rhodey the best person to carry on Tony’s legacy.
Throughout the MCU, he repeatedly showed his suitability to be Robert Downey Jr‘s Iron Man successor. War Machine is the perfect replacement for Iron Man in the upcoming Armor Wars, with his characterization more closely matched with Stark’s than ever before.
The Armor Wars release date is predicted to arrive sometime in 2026.
