Summary
Following multiple box office misfires,Marvel Studioswas said to be taking the time to evaluate its slate. This, of course, included the previously announcedBlade, a film that has since been removed from the studio’s release calendar. However, fans are still eagerly awaiting news about the long-gestatingArmor Wars. The project, which was originally being developed as a Disney+ series, was said to be re-worked into a film forMarvel Studios. That does not appear to be happening any longer, though.
In fact, Don Cheadle, who is set to headlineArmor Wars, doesn’t seem to know what is going on with the project. Given the lack of updates on the film, and Marvel Studios' decision to focus on a slate focused more on quality over quantity,is it possibleArmor Warshas been secretly canceled? And if so, is that necessarily a bad thing, or couldArmor Warsserve a greater purpose within the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
The Delay and Uncertainity of Armor Wars
Armor Warswas first announced as happening all the way back in December 2020. At the time of the announcement,Armor Warswas set to be developed as a brand-new original series for Disney+ with Cheadle set to return to headline the project. Then, in August 2021, Marvel Studios officially hired Yassir Lester as the head writer for the series. Lester, who is best known for his work as a comedian, previously worked with Cheadle on the Showtime series,Black Monday. Following the studio’s hiring of Lester, little to no progress seemed to be occurring on the project. Then in September 2022, it was revealed that the series was set to be developed as a movie, after the studio decided the story worked better as a feature film than a television show. Lester was set to remain on the project as the film’s writer, but that was the last official announcement regarding the movie. Since then, Marvel Studios has notably avoided addingArmor Warsto its upcoming line-up. Some fans suggested this could simply be because the film is being pushed out, but it seems like the film is simply not on Marvel Studios' current plans.
In a recent interview withTV Line, Cheadle was asked what was going on withArmor Wars. The outlet asked the actor where the project currently stands, to which he replied, “You can find out and letmeknow.” The actor followed up his quote, by stating that he believed things were going through changes, and that everyone would have to wait and see what ultimately happened with the project - him included. Which suggests that, likeBlade,Armor Warsmight not be happening after all.
Is an Armor Wars movie vital to the MCU going forward?
Armor Warswas one of the projects announced around the same time asIronheartandSecret Invasion, the latter of which Cheadle does make an appearance in.Secret Invasion, of course, has come and gone with little to no fanfare. WhileIronheartis expected to (finally) debut on Disney+ sometime next year. That leavesArmor Warsas the only project announced nearly four years ago to still be in development. Although fans would love to see Cheadle lead his own movie inArmor Wars, it does seem likely that the project will ultimately be shelved or pushed until it falls more in line with what Marvel Studios wants to do in the future. As it stands, the studio has already had to make quite a number of changes to its line-up, thanks to multiple strikes, having to drop Jonathan Majors, and having handled multiple box office failures. The studio has sought to re-evaluate what it was putting out,wanting instead to work on quality over quantity. This has resulted in fewer Disney+ shows being announced, and a tighter focus on the films in the pipeline. Given the studio’s currentfocus on magic and the multiverse, it begs the question whetherArmor Warsis vital in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe line-up.
Cheadle has already fulfilled his original Marvel Studios contract. So, there’s no real need forArmor Warsto happen contractually. The actor could continue to appear in other projects,explaining the Skrull Rhodey plotlineintroduced inSecret Invasion. This would makeArmor Warsan unnecessary project. After all, it’s unclear how the movie could fit into the current story being told within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The studio has had to makedrastic changes to its initial plansfour years ago. Armor Warsdoesn’t exactly fit into those new plans. However, if the studio decided to makeArmor Warsa Disney+ series again,it could be released under the Marvel Televisionbanner and still tell the original story that was intended to be told, without having to force itself to fit within the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s new trajectory. Either way, it seems like Marvel Studios hasn’t made an official decision just yet, and fans might just find out what’s going on when Cheadle is finally informed. Whenever that is, of course.
