It looks like Marvel Studios is shifting paths on the “Armor Wars” project. In what was originally planned as a new Disney+ miniseries starring Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda,” “Traffic,” “Crash”), who would once again return to the role of James Rhodes aka War Machine, is now being reinvented as a big screen feature.
The Hollywood Reporter has the story. The Disney+ series will now be redeveloped as a feature film for Marvel Studios. According to the report, Marvel wanted the story to be told the right way and realized that the story was better suited for a big-screen project.
Marvel’s ‘Armor Wars’ With Don Cheadle Is Going To The Big Screen
This is a significant shift for the project. THR noted that move will push it further down the development slate.
Don Cheadle is already slated to return to the role of James Rhodes in Marvel’s “Secret Invasion,” which debuts next year on Disney+. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Don Cheadle were both on hand at the D23 Expo earlier this month to talk about both “Secret Invasion” and “Armor Wars.” However, “Armor Wars” was still intended as a Disney+ miniseries at the time.
The original plan was to have “Secret Invasion” set up “Armor Wars,” which Cheadle would start filming in 2023 and would be based on the classic “Iron Man” comic storyline. “Armor Wars” originated as a seven-issue story arc in the pages of Marvel Comics’ “Iron Man” in the 1980s. The story saw Tony Stark’s armor designs stolen and leaked. This resulted in Tony Stark waging a dangerous vendetta, setting out to destroy any armored warrior he suspected that had his stolen armor designs, whether they are a hero or a villain.
According to Walt Disney Studios, “Armor Wars” will showcase Cheadle’s Rhodes “in a whole new light,” along with all-new suits and different types of armor for War Machine. Cheadle is staying on board as the star for the project’s reinvention. Additionally, THR noted that Yassir Lester, who was attached as head writer for “Armor Wars,” is staying on board to write the film’s script.
With the series originally looking to start production in 2023, THR reports that a few people who were prepping for the production were notified of the change on Thursday (September 29). There is no director on board for the film yet either. It’s also not clear where “Armor Wars” would fit into the MCU’s upcoming phases and slates.
It is not unprecedented for Marvel Studios to shift formats for their projects. For “Hawkeye,” it was the other way around. The show was originally envisioned as a big-screen theatrical adventure before it became streaming miniseries, introducing Kate Bishop as the new Hawkeye for the MCU, along with reintroducing Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk aka The Kingpin.
Cheadle has portrayed the role of James Rhodes/War Machine since 2010’s “Iron Man 2,” replacing actor Terrence Howard from the first film. He will next appear as Rhodes in Marvel’s “Secret Invasion,” streaming on Disney+, in 2023. “Armor Wars” does not have a start date or release date.