What’s Going On With The MCU’s Armor Wars Movie? (And Why I’m Concerned)

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As a long-time Marvel fan who has witnessed the rise and fall of many beloved characters, I find myself both hopeful and skeptical about the future of “Armor Wars.” On one hand, the storyline has immense potential, especially with Dominique Thorne’s Ironheart taking center stage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And let’s not forget the return of Robert Downey Jr., who will be donning a different cape and cowl as Doctor Doom.

Among the numerous Marvel Cinematic Universe projects scheduled for release in the coming years, both movies and TV shows, there’s no dearth of exciting content to look forward to… However, there are certain titles that have been announced which remain somewhat enigmatic compared to others. One intriguing title within this group is Armor Wars, a project that was initially unveiled towards the end of 2020 and has experienced significant alterations behind-the-scenes as it progresses through development.

Where does the status of Armor Wars stand at present, and what can we expect for this project? While details about the film are scarce, upcoming events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may hint at potential delays or complications that could prevent production from commencing.

What We Know About Armor Wars

Initially, it’s important to mention that the Armor Wars project doesn’t currently have a set release date, unlike some other Marvel Studios projects such as Blade. Despite this, its development process has been intricate. The Armor Wars was initially intended as a Disney+ original series when it was first included in the lineup for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, while other titles announced at the same time have either been completed or are soon to be released (such as Secret Invasion, I Am Groot, and Ironheart), the production of the Armor Wars spin-off has faced more complexities.

I’d like to clarify that the initial concept for Armor Wars was intended as a series. However, at the D23 Expo in 2022, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed a change of direction. Instead of being a TV show, it will now be a film. At the time, it was suggested that the movie format would better suit the story, but no specific release window or integration into Phase 5 and Phase 6 plans were announced.

Ever since I’ve been eagerly waiting to hear more about the upcoming “Armor Wars” film, I must confess that I’ve found myself pondering whether this project will truly make it to the production phase.

  • Yassir Lester Remains Attached As A Writer, But The Project Still Doesn’t Have A Director
  • Don Cheadle Is Set To Star… But What About The Events Of Secret Invasion?
  • The Iron Man-Shaped Hole In The Marvel Cinematic Universe May Be Getting Otherwise Filled

Who Is Making Armor Wars?

As a dedicated Marvel fan, I’ve been thrilled to see the consistency in vision for projects like “Armor Wars.” Even when a project undergoes a significant transformation, such as shifting mediums, Marvel Studios has managed to keep things on track. Yassir Lester was appointed head writer for the series back in August 2021, and it was confirmed at D23 Expo 2022 that he would continue to write the screenplay. Remarkably, Lester is still attached to the project, providing updates on its development as recently as October 2024.

Currently, Armor Wars lacks a director who will breathe life into the script. Even if you’re not deeply versed in cinema, you’d likely agree that the appointment of a director is crucial to a movie’s progression. The absence of one implies that there isn’t a well-defined story yet, ready to be given a unique perspective, which from an external viewpoint, seems concerning.

How Will Armor Wars Be Impacted By The Fallout From Secret Invasion?

For avid fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s no secret that the current situation of Don Cheadle’s character, James “Rhodey” Rhodes, is rather convoluted. When Armor Wars was initially announced as a TV series, the last time we encountered the character was in the closing moments of Avengers: Endgame; he hadn’t even appeared in the first episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier yet. However, since then, Cheadle has played a significant role in the 2023 series Secret Invasion – a plotline that unveils the twist that the genuine James Rhodes was abducted by Skrulls at some point and substituted with a shape-shifting alien duplicate.

It’s obvious that such a development will significantly influence “Armor Wars,” and it seems to throw a spanner in the works, making the storyline more complex than originally intended. In the Marvel Comics series of the same name, Rhodey (War Machine) is tasked with preventing the spread of Tony Stark’s groundbreaking Iron Man technology. However, when we factor in the character’s alien abduction and years-long absence from Earth, it becomes challenging to maintain a clear narrative, potentially causing creative hurdles that the movie may find difficult to overcome.

Could The Mix Of Ironheart And Robert Downey Jr.’s Return To The MCU Render Armor Wars Unnecessary?

Let’s talk about the obvious question on everyone’s mind. When Armor Wars was initially unveiled as a fresh Marvel Cinematic Universe venture, there was a noticeable void left by Iron Man, filled by none other than Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark. After his death in Avengers: Endgame, it was crucial for the franchise not to exploit the affection people have for this character and his groundbreaking tech. Developing a series centered around War Machine seemed like a sensible choice… however, given recent events, perhaps the timing for such a project is no longer ideal.

In this conversation, the first project to keep in mind is Ironheart starring Dominique Thorne as the titular hero a.k.a. Riri Williams. Announced at the same as Armor Wars, the Disney+ original series has had some delays of its own (it was shot all the way back in mid-2022, prior to the character’s big debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), but the six episode series is finally set to arrive in June 2025. And the character using Iron Man-esque equipment arguably makes Rhodey’s story somewhat redundant.

Another aspect of this conversation revolves around Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but not as Tony Stark. At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, it was revealed that he will portray Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom. This development may significantly influence the storyline of Armor Wars. In essence, with the release of Ironheart and Downey Jr.’s return, one might argue that the void left by Iron Man has been gradually filled… however, Armor Wars remains stuck in pre-production stages.

Currently, the project’s outlook appears uncertain. Although it’s still in development, there seems to be a lack of significant investment in it, and it doesn’t appear to be a major focus among Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) projects leading up to Avengers: Doomsday (expected May 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (expected May 2027). Keep an eye on TopMob for the latest updates on this project over the coming months/years.

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2024-12-26 19:07