Don Cheadle Gives a Disappointing Update on “Armor Wars’

Amid rumors that the project had been canceled, Don Cheadle recently updated fans on the status of Armor Wars.

For those who don’t know, Armor Wars was initially announced in 2020 as a series for Disney+. Based on the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name, the show was set to focus on Cheadle’s James Rhodes/War Machine.

Source: Marvel Studios

Everything seemed to be going well initially. In February 2022, it was reported that production on the series would start later that year, with Yassir Lester serving as the head writer.

Trouble Arises

Following the disastorus reception to Secret Invasion, and Marvel’s subsequent decision to overhaul how it makes television, however, the future of Armor Wars seemed in doubt.

Image: Marvel

In September 2022, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the series was being redeveloped as a film, giving fans new hope that they would see War Machine again. Since that time, however, updates have been few and far between.

Don Cheadle Talks ‘Armor Wars’

In a recent interview with TVline, Don Cheadle finally gave an update on Armor Wars. Unfortunately, it was not overly optimistic.

Photo: AFF-USA/Shutterstock

When Cheadle was initially asked about the status of Armor Wars, his answer was short and to the point.

“You can find out and let me know,” he said.

Photo: Marvel Studios

When TVLine mentioned Armor Wars‘ transition from a streaming series to a theatrical film, Cheadle expanded on his answer.

“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.”

‘Secret Invasion’ Looms Large

The cloud hovering over the future of Armor Wars is due, at least in part, to the poor reception that Secret Invasion received.

Image: Marvel

Perhaps the most divisive plot point in the series was the revelation that James Rhodes had long been replaced by a Skrull. This creative decision seemingly undermined the character’s emotional arc in the wake of the Clash of the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War. It also cheapened Rhodey’s emotional farewell to Tony Stark.

When asked by TVLine what he thought about Skull Rhodey, Cheadle revealed that his character’s story in Secret Invasion was only the foundation of something bigger.

Image: Marvel

“Uh… you know, there was no… it wasn’t a demand. It was a request. “What do you think about playing this?” And it was to set up stuff in the following thing,” he explained.

Image: Marvel

“So, if the following thing happens, and all those things were set up, then that’s one thing. If, as you said, it doesn’t, then we can talk about how I feel about it after!”

Marvel Has Not Officially Commented on ‘Armor Wars’

While Marvel has yet to give an official update on the status of Armor Wars, it does not look like anything is imminent.

Marvel Studios Logo. Photo: Marvel

Hopefully, however, we hear more soon.