Disney recently announced a spate of upcoming projects that included a bunch of new Marvel movies and shows. One of the most exciting announcements was a Disney+ show called Armor Wars, which will feature Don Cheadle's James "War Machine" Rhodes taking down antagonists who've managed to obtain Tony Stark's technology.
To varying extents, the likes of Obadiah Stane, Eric Savin, HYDRA, Ultron, Adrian Toomes and Quentin Beck have already used or attempted to use Stark's tech for nefarious purposes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the majority of those cases, Stark himself was there to thwart them. However, now that it's set to continue in the MCU after his death, someone needs to defend Stark's honor, and his best friend Rhodey is that someone.
In most of the listed cases of villains using Stark's technology, Rhodey was there to see the effect it had on Tony. Seeing his tech used in such a way hit Stark hard. After all, he had initially created it in an attempted to, "privatize world peace." As his best friend, it will undoubtedly hit Rhodey hard as well; therefore, there'll be a certain satisfaction in seeing him smacking down those who continue to abuse Tony's tech following his heroic death in Avengers: Endgame.
Rhodey has played the part of the supportive friend so well in the franchise, displaying heartfelt sympathy and loyalty to Tony in his lowest moments, even when others had written him off as a lost cause. With this in mind, he's also reprimanded Tony when he felt it was necessary. Needless to say, he's earned the right to be the star for a while, and this is long overdue.
Rhodes first appeared back in Iron Man, when he was played by Terrence Howard, but Cheadle took over in Iron Man 2, and he's been absolutely fantastic in the role ever since. Appearing in six films after Iron Man 2, Cheadle's version of the hero has that "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" vibe to him since he hasn't gotten a solo property to shine in, until now.
Rhodes has also been a staple Marvel character since his first appearance back in 1979's Iron Man Issue #118, written by David Michelinie with art by John Byrne, and he first became War Machine in 1993's Avengers West Coast Issue #94, written by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas and David Ross with art by Ross. The character has seriously paid his dues in print and definitely deserves this opportunity to shine on screen, courtesy of Cheadle.
Cheadle is a superb Oscar-nominated actor, and his witty take on Rhodey is brilliant. While it's a little more Disney-friendly than Howard's early interpretation, it still feels layered enough to be interesting, heartfelt and entertaining. It has the potential to make the Armor Wars series a serious critical hit. If any MCU performance is going to fittingly honor and pay tribute to Robert Downey Jr.'s sterling eleven-year-long efforts as Tony Stark, it's Cheadle's leading role in this series.
Armor Wars certainly does offer a fantastic opportunity to introduce some great villains from the comic books to the MCU, as well as providing a perfect platform for some major cameos from existing characters. However, the most intriguing aspect of the whole thing, without any shadow of a doubt, is the fact that Cheadle will be the leading man.