James Rhodes: The Iron Man We Deserve in the MCU!

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Intriguingly, several characters missing from the cast of Avengers: Doomsday have left us scratching our heads. However, none more so than Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, better known as War Machine. We last encountered his character in the less-than-stellar Secret Invasion series on Disney+, where it was revealed he had been replaced by a Skrull. With the status of the upcoming Armor Wars movie uncertain due to its on-again/off-again nature, it seems it’s more “off again” at the moment. Yet, we fervently hope that Rhodey will make a comeback, and not just any comeback, but one where he officially takes over as the MCU’s Iron Man.

In Marvel Comics, James Rhodes Was Iron Man Before He Was War Machine

In the comic books, James Rhodes is recognized as the second individual to assume the identity of Iron Man, a role he adopted about a decade before he was known as War Machine. This transformation happened in 1979, when James Rhodes debuted as a military pilot working for Tony Stark within the pages of “Iron Man” #118. Unlike his counterpart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Rhodes in the comics was a Marine, not an Air Force member. Initially introduced as a fresh character, Marvel later rewrote history to portray Rhodes as an old friend of Tony’s from their Vietnam War days. Over time, their friendship deepened and solidified, eventually making Rhodes a close and enduring confidant of Tony Stark.

1983 marked the commencement of a Marvel storyline where Tony Stark’s character suffered a relapse with alcoholism, rendering him incapacitated. Subsequently, James Rhodes took up the mantle of Iron Man. This story arc continued for approximately two years, with Rhodes in the role of Iron Man. During the “Secret Wars” event series, it was Rhodes, not Stark, who donned the Iron Man armor. Few of his fellow Avengers were privy to the truth about their teammate’s identity. In fact, Rhodes held the position of CEO at Stark Industries for a significant period. Later in the ’90s, he adopted his own distinct armor and persona as War Machine, but it was his career as Iron Man that initially began.

Tony Stark’s Death in Endgame Provided the Perfect Opportunity for Rhodey to Become Iron Man

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Tony Stark’s death in “Endgame” offered an ideal moment for James Rhodes to step into the role of Iron Man, paying tribute to his deceased friend. However, instead of adopting the title of War Machine, which is rather aggressive given that Rhodey primarily functions as a peacekeeper, we discover that Skrulls had replaced Rhodes for an unknown duration. Unfortunately, we’re not sure when this switch took place. It appears that the alien imposter Rhodey decided to pursue a career in politics instead of continuing his superhero duties. Frankly, being a political advisor just doesn’t have the same thrill as being a superhero.

It’s strongly suggested that Rhodey should assume the role of Iron Man permanently within the MCU for several reasons. Firstly, the franchise could benefit from having a new Iron Man character, given the legendary status and appeal of the red and gold armor and the name itself. Compared to “War Machine,” Iron Man seems more appealing and less edgy.

Just as Sam Wilson earned his chance to become Captain America, Rhodey has also demonstrated that he’s worthy of taking up the mantle of Iron Man. With Tony Stark’s backup for so many years, it’s only fair that he gets this opportunity now. Moreover, it aligns well with the comics, as Rhodey was Iron Man in the Marvel Comic Universe before ever becoming War Machine.

The MCU Needs a Hero Called “Iron Man”

Additionally, this concept offers striking visual symbolism for future Marvel films, particularly a clash between Iron Man, the noble successor of Tony Stark, and Doctor Doom, who bears a striking resemblance to (and possibly is a variant of) Tony Stark himself. Such a confrontation would be truly captivating on screen. It seems almost too enticing an opportunity for Marvel Studios to ignore. Given the proposed Armor Wars movie, it’s plausible that James Rhodes was intended to step into the Iron Man role. However, we don’t necessitate another full film exploring Rhodey grappling with inheriting Tony Stark’s legacy. We’ve already witnessed a similar narrative unfold in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Instead, let’s dive straight into an MCU where not only is Rhodey the Iron Man, but also a key leader (or co-leader) of the Avengers.

James Rhodes Needs a Personal Life Outside of Being Tony’s Best Friend

It’s long past due for Rhodey to have a personal life of his own. We can’t help but hope he might develop a romantic relationship with his comic book counterpart, Carol Danvers, better known as Captain Marvel. Although she’s technically close in age, her cosmic abilities prevent her from aging. However, the significant difference in real-life ages between Brie Larson and Don Cheadle might concern viewers, making it unlikely for Marvel to explore this angle. Despite their mature status, the MCU missed a chance to depict Rhodey and Carol as having a history together, given they likely joined the Air Force at around the same time.

At this moment, I haven’t been confirmed for a role in “Avengers: Doomsday,” but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of me showing up in “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Given the grand scale of the Multiverse Saga, it seems unlikely they would wrap things up without Rhodey making another appearance. Fingers crossed that when he does, we get to see him suited up again in the classic gold and red Iron Man armor. Having played this character eight times (or nine if you count Terrence Howard’s initial portrayal in “Iron Man”), I certainly feel I’ve earned it!

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2025-04-15 18:04