It's safe to say fans are embracing the idea of Marvel TV actors receiving a second wind in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And atop the list is Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock, who returned in Spider-Man: No Way Home and will be involved in the Daredevil: Born Again TV series. However, another New York vigilante has folks even giddier for their comeback.
It is none other than Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle, reported to be joining Matt's adventures once more. Fans lapped up this take on Punisher, especially in his own solo show that dissected trauma, depression and the demons that pushed him to keep killing. However, with Frank returning, a more important role could be in his sights, hinting a key Avenger will die in Armor Wars.
Armor Wars Can Remix James Rhodes' Heartbreaking Thanos Fate
One of the most shocking James Rhodes moments came in Marvel Comics' Civil War II when he tried to help Captain Marvel and the Avengers fight off Thanos. Sadly, the Mad Titan killed him, leaving Rhodey's colleagues heartbroken. It pushed Iron Man to go to war with Carol Danvers, who was in love with Rhodey, creating immense emotional turmoil.
Armor Wars will focus on Tony Stark's tech falling into the wrong hands. As expected, it will see the heroic Rhodey (Don Cheadle) suiting up once more as War Machine. However, given that the MCU always found a way for Stark to get out of his armor and tech being stolen and used, per the Iron Patriot fiasco, Marvel Studios may want to craft a story of repercussions like Civil War II, leading to Rhodey's death. With Ultron rumored to return, it could complete the bot's vengeance story against Stark's family. And since Armor Wars leads into Secret Invasion, the Skrulls may even have a role in engineering this, taking out one of the government's top operatives in Rhodey to make their infiltration of the world much easier.
Punisher Can Become the MCU's Next War Machine
Rhodey's tragic death paves the way for Frank to don the suit and become the new War Machine. The comics detailed this after Secret Empire when Nick Fury needed a War Machine to fight terrorists. He gave Frank the location of the armor, but after stealing the tech, Frank refused to give it back. He even returned to the Big Apple to slaughter criminals with it, resulting in The Avengers battling him.
As for why such an arc would fit in the MCU, Frank needs a purpose. He lacked direction when the Netflix series ended, but it wasn't a bad thing, as Frank did need time off to find peace and happiness after losing his family and waging war on the mafia. But as War Machine 2.0, Frank could do Rhodey proud, with the MCU possibly even retconning things to having them train or work together in the past in the military.
Punisher could then try to live up to Rhodey's legacy, working to wipe the red from his ledger. That would give Frank a complicated story internally, conflicted over what to do with this kind of firepower. Ultimately, this allows Punisher more agency in the MCU, keeps his intimidating aura going and leaves Frank battling the darkness within to stay in the light.