Marvel Studios may be moving forward with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars without one of the franchise’s longtime heroes. According to a new report, War Machine may not appear in the upcoming crossover films, raising major questions about the character’s future in the MCU.
Moreover, this development could significantly impact ongoing storylines, especially those left unresolved after Secret Invasion.
Marvel Drops War Machine from Avengers Lineup
According to scooper James Mack on X, Don Cheadle is not expected to return as James Rhodes / War Machine in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
This news is surprising, especially considering that War Machine has been one of the MCU’s most consistent supporting Avengers. Furthermore, his absence would mark the first time the character misses a major Avengers crossover since his introduction.
If the report proves accurate, War Machine may also be missing from other Phase 6 projects, including:
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Upcoming Disney+ MCU Series
- Additional Multiverse Saga appearances
As a result, fans are now questioning Marvel’s long-term plans for the character.
Don Cheadle’s Long MCU History
Don Cheadle has portrayed War Machine since Iron Man 2 (2010), taking over the role from Terrence Howard. Since then, he has appeared across nearly every phase of the MCU, making James Rhodes one of Marvel’s most consistent supporting heroes.
During Phase 1, Cheadle made his debut in Iron Man 2, officially establishing War Machine within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Moving into Phase 2, he continued his role in Iron Man 3 and later joined Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
In Phase 3, War Machine became even more involved in major MCU events. He appeared in Captain America: Civil War, where he suffered a life-changing injury, before returning in Avengers: Infinity War. Additionally, he appeared in Captain Marvel and later played a key role in Avengers: Endgame, standing alongside the Avengers during the battle against Thanos.
Secret Invasion Twist Created Major Problems
One of the biggest complications surrounding War Machine came in Secret Invasion. The series revealed that James Rhodes had been replaced by a Skrull before the events of the show.
Interestingly, the replacement may have happened as early as Captain America: Civil War. Consequently, this raised several controversial implications.
As a result, this twist created major implications for the character. If Rhodes had been replaced during that time, he may not have experienced the events of Avengers: Infinity War. Additionally, he may not have witnessed Tony Stark’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. Furthermore, this revelation suggests that Rhodes may have missed several years of important MCU events altogether.
Naturally, this twist sparked backlash from fans. Many viewers felt it undermined War Machine’s emotional connection to Tony Stark and the Avengers.
Marvel Drops War Machine as Armor Wars Delay May Affect Story Resolution
Originally, Marvel planned to continue this storyline in Armor Wars, which would focus on War Machine’s return and recovery. However, the project has faced multiple delays. Additionally, reports suggest that Armor Wars is no longer a top priority for Marvel Studios.
Because of this, Marvel may choose to resolve the War Machine storyline after the Multiverse Saga instead. Furthermore, Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars may already have too many characters and plotlines to address Rhodes’ situation properly.
Marvel Studios has already scheduled both crossover films:
- Avengers: Doomsday — December 18, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars — December 17, 2027
Both films are expected to serve as the culmination of the Multiverse Saga, bringing together heroes from across different timelines and universes.
Therefore, even without War Machine, these films are still shaping up to be massive MCU events.
All MCU projects featuring War Machine are currently available to stream on Disney+. Fans can revisit Rhodes’ journey before Marvel reveals his next chapter.
If Marvel truly drops War Machine from Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it would mark a major shift for the MCU. Nevertheless, with the Multiverse Saga expanding rapidly, Marvel may simply be saving the character for a bigger role later.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on MCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to Marvel Updates’ YouTube channel.
