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Don Cheadle, who has played War Machine (James Rhodes) in seven films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has revealed some new information regarding his role in Secret Invasion, which is set to hit Disney+ on June 21, 2023.
Cheadle made a brief cameo appearance in the premiere episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2021, where he had a conversation with Sam Wilson about taking on the Captain America mantle and then resuming military service following the events of Avengers: Endgame. However, Secret Invasion will be the first project where he will have a major role since the events of Endgame.
Don Cheadle's War Machine will serve as the right hand of the President of the United States in Secret Invasion
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cheadle revealed that when fans next see James Rhodes aka War Machine in the MCU, he will be the right hand to the President of the United States, President Ritson, who will be played by Dermot Mulroney.
Rhodes' new role will find him identifying and dealing with threats against the US President as he works alongside the security administration of the White House.
Don Cheadle revealed some information regarding his new role, claiming that Rhodes will be on the opposite side of Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury in Secret Invasion. However, the War Machine actor stressed that he is not in direct opposition to the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. The recently released trailer even hinted at this, with Rhodes bluntly and cautiously telling Fury that he is now the U.S.' most wanted man.
Don Cheadle then mentioned that Secret Invasion was unlike anything the MCU has ever done and stated that it differs greatly from the other projects within the franchise. He said that the show would be full of "espionages and double crosses" instead of the MCU's usual penchant for "bells and whistles of big special effects."
He said:
"It speaks to the elasticity of what the MCU can be. This one feels much closer to a movie like 'Bourne Identity' or something that's more along the tone of a '70s movie. It's not as much about the bells and whistles of big special effects. It's more about the intrigue and drama, the espionage and double-crosses. And I still think it fits perfectly with what the MCU is able to do and pull off."
Don Cheadle's comments regarding War Machine's new role also line up with what Samuel L. Jackson previously said in an interview with Vanity Fair. He stated that the Rhodey in Secret Invasion would be different from the one fans saw in previous installments of the MCU.
He told the publication:
"This is a different kind of Rhodey—a political animal and not, you know, a guy who has a special suit. He's the president's right-hand man in this. So he's the guy that makes a lot of decisions—some good, some bad."
Both Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson's statements indicate that fans are in for a surprise when they next see War Machine in the MCU and that he will have a drastic character change. However, owing to the nature of Secret Invasion's storyline, there is the possibility of the Rhodes in the project being an impostor.
Don Cheadle's Rhodes will also be seen in Armor Wars
Following his appearance in Secret Invasion, Don Cheadle's Rhodes will serve as the protagonist of the upcoming film Armor Wars. Rhodes' role in Armor Wars, will continue from his appearance in Secret Invasion and will see him fight against various people who are after Tony Stark's tech.
Don Cheadle teased his role in the upcoming film in an interview with Post-Credits Podcast, where he said that the aftermath of Stark's death would factor into the film.
He said:
"The death of Tony Stark, I’m pretty sure, will play a role in the series. Where we’ve been sort of progressing Rhodey—even in the last film where he’s now up again and he’s now walking again and he’s now mobile again—so as the technology continues to develop and we keep making innovations in the suit and what happens, I imagine there’s gonna be another elevation and another way that we’re going to keep digging into that part of Rhodey."
Whether Don Cheadle will continue the role of War Machine beyond Armor Wars remains to be seen. Fans of the character, however, can only hope that he does.
Don Cheadle's War Machine is currently slated to appear in Secret Invasion, which will premiere on June 21. He will also be seen in Armor Wars, which does not have a release date yet.
