Armor Warshas become one of the most uncertain projects on the MCU’s current slate, andDon Cheadlehas not made its future any clearer when recently asked about the movie…or is it a TV show? The project wasoriginally planned as a Disney+ TV series, but as changes hit Marvel Studios with the return of Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO, it pivoted to be developed as a theatrical release. However, there has been very little information revealed about the movie since, and it seems that its star is just as much in the dark as everyone else.
Speaking toTV Line, Cheadle was asked about the development of the film/show, and although his response was laced with a streak of humor, it suggested that even he has no idea what is happening with the project. He said:
“You can find out and let me know. Yeah. I think the word that’s the most salient in that sentence is “switched.” [Laughs] I don’t know, I’m not sure where anything is right now. I think things are going through a lot of changes, and we’ll see what happens, we’ll see what it is.”
Armor Warsis expected to expand on the Iron Man movies, with James “Rhodey” Rhodes being charged with ensuring the tech of Tony Stark does not fall into the wrong hands. One the biggest issues for Marvel Studios is where to fit such a project, as the pull ofIron Manwas never about Stark’s incredible technology, but was always about Tony Stark.Without Robert Downey Jr.’s hero, will audiences care enough to make such a project worthwhile?
Secret Invasion Could Have Caused an Issue for Armor Wars
Armor Warshas several issues to overcome to be a successful project for Marvel Studios.Fans have been very fickle about which Marvel offerings they choose to watch and which they simply avoid.Armor Warshas the potential to be a big action project, but, based on several other previous entries in the franchise, it could turn into something very talky and political – which no Marvel fan really seems that interested in.
That is not the biggest potential stumbling block forArmor Wars. With Marvel Studios currently heading deep into the Multiverse Saga, and potentially coming out of it in a very different Marvel universe, there is a question about where a tech-focused project likeArmor Warswould fit. Audiences have already made it clear that they are being much more choosy about which movies they bother going to see in cinemas, andwithCaptain America: Brave New Worldalready reportedly struggling with test audiences,Armor Warsdoes not, on the surface, sound like the kind of film that would entice regular MCU audiences into theaters.
Armor Wars: Marvel Comics Storyline, Explained
In light of Marvel Studios' shift to produce Armor Wars as an MCU movie instead of Disney+ series, here’s a look at the original comics storyline.
Of course,Secret Invasion’s reveal that Rhodey has been a Skrull for several yearsis something that would need to be addressed in the movie. This is whereMarvel Studios’ crossover between theatrical and TV releases needs to be more streamlined, as there are many fans who skippedSecret Invasionand don’t know about that particular twist. With all of this to consider, it is possibly not surprising thatArmor Warsis getting more and more bogged down in development hell. Whether it can ever make it out is something we, and Cheadle, will have to wait to find out.
