When it comes to 2026 movie releases finding success on streaming, there’s few big wins like War Machine. The action/sci-fi flick that reminded us of the original Predator still boasts a spot on the Netflix top ten right now, even though it’s been out for two months now. So, I’d think it’d be a shoe-in for an Alan Ritchson-led sequel, but then I heard what one head honcho thought about it.

What The Lionsgate Film Head Said About A War Machine Sequel

Even though War Machine got a Netflix release through and through, it was actually produced by Lionsgate, with the original intention to bring it to theaters. However, the studio ultimately decided to make it a streaming movie, and that absolutely worked in the movie’s favor given all the people who are watching it with their Netflix subscription.

When Lionsgate’s film head Adam Fogelson was asked about a War Machine sequel, I figured he’d be all for it, but in a new interview with Business Insider Fogelson didn’t have much to say about another movie starring big star, Alan Ritchson. He apparently isn’t “ready” to announce a followup, and when asked whether another instalment could go theatrical, he said this:

Hey, I could be reading this wrong, but it doesn’t exactly sound like Fogelson’s amped to give us more War Machine. Chances are it’s just too early for the film head to discuss continuing the franchise at this time, but considering all the good buzz about the movie I guess I expected a bit more from the head honcho. We’ll have to wait and see what happens, of course.

What Has Been Said About Another War Machine Movie?

Contrary to Fogelson’s tight-lipped words on War Machine 2, the writer/director of the movie Patrick Hughes has definitely shared his interest in another movie. While he originally thought of it as a “fully formed standalone story,” he’s since said that he’d be absolutely “ready to pull the trigger” and has “sketched” out what happens next already. Alan Ritchson is also on board with it, and is already calling it War Machines - perhaps as a little homage to the title of the first Alien sequel.

It would probably come down to how the actor would be able to fit it into his schedule given he’s been everywhere lately. Ritchson has his own survival competition show for Netflix on the way and always seems to have his Reacher abs maintained for the next installment. The fourth season of the Prime series is expected to come out this year, so there will definitely be more chances for the actor to advocate for more War Machine movies.

Alan Ritchson has found his name in the news a lot recently, despite the fact that we’re still waiting for news on when the next season of Reacher might air. His popularity has been two-fold, as he’s the star of a recent hit Netflix movie, War Machine, and has been at the center of controversy following a physical altercation caught on video between him and a neighbor.

While Ritchson was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing, the initial video showed him striking another man repeatedly on a city street. That might have caused some fans of Ritchson to question him, but one person who clearly didn’t was the actor’s War Machine co-star Blake Richardson. He recently took to Instagram to sing the praises of the actor whom he had admired for a long time. Richardson wrote:

Richardson goes on to say that he found Alan Ritchson to be both incredibly hard working on the set as well as gracious, while also shouting out the actor's role in the comedy Blue Mountain State, which is where many fans likely first discovered him. Unless that is, you remember him flirting with Paula Abdul on American Idol.

Ritchson apparently invited the cast to his place for dinner with his family after the first day of shooting. This allowed the cast to get to know each other and have fun together, which made the rest of what Blake Richardson calls a “grueling and physically demanding shoot.”

The only problem that apparently sprang up is that Richardson’s character in War Machine clashes with Ritchson’s, and the fact that he liked the Reacher star so much potentially made it difficult for him to act like he didn’t. Richardson added:

People looking for flaws in Alan Ritchson may have felt they founds them after video went viral that showed Ritchson striking another man on the street. However, initial impressions were not what they appeared to be. Later bodycam video revealed that Ritchson had not been the aggressor in the altercation, which had been over noise the actor and his sons were allegedly making on motorcycles. It was ultimately Ritchson who was given the opportunity to press criminal charges, though he reportedly declined to do so.

Blake Richardson’s comments certainly reinforce the idea of Alan Ritchson as a standup guy, which likely puts his fans at ease. Check out his post below.

Anybody who had been looking forward to the new season of Reacher can seemingly do so with a clear conscience. Alan Ritchson is a good guy. The people who know him confirm it.

Alan Ritchson has been in the news a lot recently for something other than his work in TV and film. Following the release of viral videos showing the actor in a physical altercation with another man, Ritchson largely stayed off social media. But now that the issue appears to be behind him, he’s calling out the “haters” of his new Netflix movie and having fun doing it.

War Machine, available with a Netflix subscription, is getting generally positive responses from critics and fans, even though the film is being called "absurd." It has remained in Netflix’s Top 10 since it was released, which shows it's clearly getting a lot of eyeballs. While most people think the movie is some good fun, there have apparently been some detractors out there complaining about its lack of a realistic story, given Ritchson’s age and his place in the military in the movie. However, it appears the actor is having the last laugh on Instagram. Check it out.

Previously, the maximum enlistment age for the United States Army and most other military branches was 35, but that cap was just raised to 42. Alan Ritchson turned 43 years old last November, but that means he was no older than 42 at the time he filmed War Machine. His age may have seemed out of place before, but right now, it actually fits. As he says, War Machine now feels “prophetic.”

As Ritchson points out, the age of his character was specifically dealt with in the movie. The movie did address the fact that 81 (as the character is only ever known) was so much older than everybody else, so it’s not like it was completely ignored. While I’m sure not everybody is happy with the explanation, there at least was one.

The Reacher actor is probably quite happy to have something else to talk about that isn’t the recent viral video that showed him striking another man on a suburban street. While the initial video leak appeared to show Ritchson as the aggressor, other reports, as well as a later video that appeared to be shot from a body cam the actor was wearing, showed the other man started the altercation, and prevented Ritchson from an initial attempt to end it.

He still hasn’t made any public comment about the incident, only making a single Instagram post that included a Napoleon quote while the other man was giving interviews. In the end, it was Ritchson who was given the option to press charges in the incident, though he has declined to do so.

Ritchson is seemingly moving on now, and he's clearly not holding back when it comes to talking about his work.

So, with all that said, while War Machine was apparently not written with sequels in mind, the possibility of them is open following the film's success. If that happens, I'm sure some "haters" will find something new to complain about.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for War Machine. If you have not yet watched the film, proceed at your own risk!

When director Patrick Hughes’ War Machine kicks it into gear, things get hardcore. The film is a showcase for the action star charisma of lead Alan Ritchson as he does battle with a heavily armed extraterrestrial robot, and there is tension and gore aplenty. As cool as all that is, however, the Netflix blockbuster doesn’t get to that point until after it slyly camouflages itself as a grounded military drama, and it’s the authenticity of that material which convinced Esai Morales that he wanted to be a part of the production.

War Machine is now available to stream with a Netflix subscription, but I did a virtual interview with Morales earlier this month in the days prior to its arrival online, and the first thing we discussed was the script and his experience reading it for the first time. He had a personal connection to the material off the bat because he has a family member who was in the military, and he was impressed by the depiction of the protagonist’s journey to become a member of the Army Rangers. Said the actor,

There are other movies that blend together sci-fi and military genres (some titles that immediately pop into mind include Aliens and Starship Troopers), but War Machine has a different narrative tactic than most. In the movie, Alan Ritchson plays an unnamed Sergeant who enlists in the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program to honor his dead brother (Jai Courtney). As First Sergeant Torres, Morales is an authority who sees the protagonist’s potential and carves a path for him toward a leadership position in the elite unit.

And then aliens show up in the middle of the final training exercise.

I personally watched War Machine without reading anything about it, allowing me to be totally surprised by the sci-fi twist – and Esai Morales told me that matched his experience first digging into the screenplay. It dedicates itself just long enough to totally sell itself as a non-genre drama, with the characters given time to express their personalities, before the chaos starts. Or as Morales put it,

And it seems like it may just be the start of the story too: Alan Ritchson's 81 reunites with First Sergeant Torres at the end of the movie to learn that the whole world is at war with the aliens. That revelation plus the big numbers War Machine has been putting up on Netflix suggests that we could eventually learn about a green light for War Machine 2… but we're not quite there yet.

Alan Ritchson has become one of those actors who seems to fully embrace the physical demands of every new action movie role. Between his work on Reacher and his growing slate of projects, the actor has built a reputation for jumping into the toughest parts of a scene whenever possible. That approach was definitely on display while filming Netflix’s War Machine, where Ritchson tackled some pretty intense water-based stunts. What surprised me most, though, is that even after seeing the lengths he went to for some of the film’s river and underwater sequences, the production still needed not one but two stunt doubles for certain shots.

Ritchson recently shared a behind-the-scenes clip on his personal Instagram that shows just how much effort he put into those moments. The video, which you can check out below, features the actor plunging into a raging river while filming the sequence, alongside commentary from one of the stunt performers. The stunt double even jokes about how talented he is and how the actor doing so much of his own stunt work could end up putting him out of a job:

In the post, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles veteran also took a moment to shout out his stunt team, specifically thanking his two doubles, Ryan Tarran and Luke Davis. In the caption, Ritchson even pointed out that the “biggest bruise” he’d ever seen belonged to Tarran, a reminder that while the actor does a lot of the physical work himself, the stunt performers are still the ones taking some of the hardest hits.

Even with two doubles involved in the production, the behind-the-scenes footage makes it clear that Alan Ritchson handled a significant portion of the action himself. In the clip, he explains why he tries to perform as many stunts as possible himself, saying it ultimately comes down to giving audiences the most immersive experience he can. He shared:

One of the stunt performers in the video even jokes that when you have “a talented action hero like Alan,” it can make life a little stressful for the stunt team trying to stay employed. Of course, the comment is clearly made in good fun, but it does highlight just how much of the physical work Ritchson was willing to take on himself.

And the river sequence wasn’t the only demanding moment he tackled. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire performer also committed to some challenging underwater scenes for the film. In another behind-the-scenes clip shared by Netflix, the Reacher star can be seen walking along the bottom of a swimming pool toward the camera while holding dumbbells, staying submerged for nearly two minutes as part of the stunt preparation.

Even though Ritchson clearly handled a huge portion of the physical work, having two stunt doubles allowed the production to capture certain angles and repeat especially difficult movements without pushing the actor too far. It’s a pretty common approach in action filmmaking, especially when scenes involve water or other unpredictable elements.

Between the breath-holding, underwater walking, and the physical toll of filming in rough river conditions, Alan Ritchson clearly put in the effort to make the sequence feel as authentic as possible. And, based on the impressive viewership numbers War Machine has pulled in, audiences seem to be responding. But you don’t have to take my word for it—you can check out the action-packed 2026 movie schedule entry with your Netflix subscription and see how the stunt-heavy scenes turned out for yourself.

Spoiler Warning: There are spoilers for War Machine below. If you’ve yet to watch the new Netflix movie, please exercise extreme caution.

When I pressed play on War Machine shortly after it landed on the 2026 movie schedule, I had no idea the popular Alan Ritchson action flick would have me thinking about my favorite video game of all time: Metal Gear Solid. Yet, there I was, telling my wife how the mysterious alien robot hellbent on destroying everything in its path looked just like the titular nuclear-armed bipedal tank from the classic “Tactical Espionage Action” game I’ve beaten dozens of times over the years.

Well, it turns out I’m not alone in thinking about Hideo Kojima’s epic game series after War Machine became available with a Netflix subscription.

Metal Gear Solid Fans Are Having Too Much Fun With This

Though there are some key differences between War Machine and Metal Gear Solid, with the former being about aliens invading Colorado and the latter being about two cloned twins battling each other in Alaska, the brunt of the action is basically the same. I mean, both follow a soldier with some serious trauma finding unique ways to take on a bipedal killing machine, for crying out loud.

From various Reddit forums to online articles from our sister site, Space.com, to discussions all over social media in the days since War Machine dropped on Netflix and became one of the streamer’s biggest hits of the year, fans are going crazy and having a ton of fun. I even stumbled upon a fan-edited video where someone added the iconic Metal Gear Solid theme song and the Metal Gear sound effects to the movie, and it actually works. The sound of the lasers, the rockets, the stomps, the codec, they’re all there and they don’t sound out of place. All it’s missing is Colonel Campbell yelling “SNAAAAAAAAKE!”, and it would be perfect.

Even Hideo Kojima Is Talking About War Machine

It’s not just Metal Gear Solid fans who are going crazy about War Machine having so much in common with the beloved stealth action franchise, as Hideo Kojima himself is singing the movie’s praises. In a post on X calling Patrick Hughes’ sci-fi action flick a “geek-pleasing film,” the cinephile and video game creator essentially gave it his stamp of approval by saying “it’s basically Predator x Metal Gear:”

You know, Kojima isn’t off base in basically saying the new action movie is a combination of Predator and the Metal Gear series, as there are so many comparisons. You have the shift from a standard military action thriller to an alien invasion film halfway through, you have an unstoppable killing machine preying on some of the toughest SOBs on the planet, and you have a hero who resorts to archaic yet crafty ways to defeat a superior enemy. I can’t argue with his thoughts.

Considering the long-planned Metal Gear Solid movie is still in development hell, where it’s been for years, this is probably the closest I’ll ever get to a Solid Snake movie. I guess I’ll have to be okay with that.

Given my profession as an entertainment journalist/film critic, I don’t often get the luxury of going into any movie totally blind. Be it via CinemaBlend’s coverage, social media, trailers or word of mouth, I tend to keep abreast of new releases, and I thusly have a good idea of what I’m in for whenever the lights go down in a theater or I press play on a streaming service. Recently checking out director Patrick Hughes’ War Machine was a super rare exception, however, (all I knew going in was that it had a cast including Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, and Esai Morales) and I’m super happy about it, as the genre switch that’s executed in the second half of the action film delivered the experience I feel I was always robbed of while watching the original Predator.

Structurally, the two movies are very similar. Both open as relatively familiar military dramas – the 2026 film following its protagonist through Army Ranger School and the 1987 sci-fi classic tracking a paramilitary rescue team trying to save a stranded politician in a Central American jungle – but things take a sharp left turn when the soldiers find themselves in a fight with an extraterrestrial armed with advanced technology and a murder-centric determination.

In the latter, though, I never got to be surprised by the presence of the alien, and not just because the film opens with a spacecraft falling to Earth; it features one of the most iconic big screen monsters of all time, and I didn’t see Predator until long after it had already cemented itself in pop culture history.

War Machine, on the other hand, totally took me by surprise – and I was tricked in large part because of the predictability of the opening sequence. As soon as I saw Alan Ritchson’s beard in his first scene, I knew that there was surely a time jump on the way that would see him clean shaven; and purely because I had no idea Jai Courtney was part of the cast, I had an inkling that his character wouldn’t stick around for very long. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Courtney was a corpse and the story jumped two years forward.

I felt as though I totally had the movie’s number from that point: Ritchson’s protagonist, only identified as 81, was meant to be recognized as the titular “war machine” because of his stoicism and extreme dedication to honoring his brother by completing his Ranger training, and the story would see him process his trauma and learn how live with his grief by becoming a leader again. In my defense, War Machine ultimately does do all of that… but I’m also willing to admit that I wholly ignored all of the flags hinting sci-fi action was on the way (including the news broadcast about the “asteroid” passing by Earth, which I just excused as a minimal effort at character building). When the alien twist finally arrived, it successfully blew my mind, and sent my enjoyment of everything to a much higher level.

Come December 2026 and the opportunity to reflect on all of my cinematic experiences from the previous 12 months, I can say with absolute surety that War Machine is not going to be a title that finds its way on to my annual Top 15 ranking. At the same time, I doubt that I forget the wonderful surprise it delivers to unsuspecting viewers and the great value in blindly buying a ticket and taking the ride.

War Machine is now available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

As fans wait for the already hyped-up Season 4 of Prime Video’s Reacher, star Alan Ritchson continues to build up his movie star cred, most recently with the critic-pleasing man-vs.-bot flick War Machine. (Read our War Machine review here!) He’s got a pair of action-centric features on the way, with a third currently filming, and even if they aren’t all deadly serious dramas, the actor is still making a point of bringing action movie heroes back to being believable human beings again.

To be sure, his 2026 Netflix movie has him and group of soldiers facing off against a giant deadly robot across some incredibly taxing terrain, which isn’t something the average person would excel at. But Ritchson’s character Staff Sergeant 81 isn’t a superhero or any kind of genetically modified warrior; he’s just well-trained, highly motivated by his personal hardships. Which is a theme that carries over into his now-filming biopic of war vet and former Navy SEAL Mike Thornton.

With Sylvester Stallone on board as an executive producer, the currently untitled feature reteams Ritchson with War Machine helmer Patrick Hughes, and centers on Thornton’s tireless and courageous efforts during the final days of the Vietnam War. Speaking to THR about why he wanted to join this particular project, Ritchson connected it to the movie that’s currently crushing in Netflix’s Top 10, saying:

At a point when so many action movies center on globally (or even galatically) catastrophic stakes, it can be easy for narratives to lose track of the humanity of it all while watching heroes that are 100% guaranteed to come out on top every single time. Ritchson wants to get away from that kind of approach, saying:

To be fair, I dunno that anyone watching War Machine ever truly thought Ritchson's character was truly in danger of being killed off. And if War Machine 2 happens, I doubt he'd succumb to any automaton's attacks in that one, either. But his point is still salient. Even if the actor is a hulking behemoth who looks like he could bring a redwood down from the right angle, audiences know that his character is running purely on adrenaline and not some kind of supersoldier serum.

We may not all be able to relate to an Army Ranger who put his life on the line to save the day, but there's something inspirational about watching someone else do it, and that feeling grows exponentially when it involves a real-life situation like Mike Thornton's Vietnam War heroics. It's harder to be influenced by MCU heroes whose powers and privileges aren't nearly as ubiquitous.

Ritchson says playing characters like 81 help him influence others to hopefully recognize their own strengths while making it through daily struggles.

It's an interesting view to bring to his future projects, seeing as how Ritchson was previously in talks to play a more villainous DC role, though it's not clear whether or not those talks have fizzled out or not. In any case, its probably smarter not to make comic book movie bad guys as relatable and inspirational as the heroes.

Next up on his docket, Ritchson has the Adam Shankman's Christmas-set action movie The Man with the Bag (opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Awkwafina) and Scott Waugh's action thriller Runner, co-starring Owen Wilson. It's unknown when the Navy SEAL biopic will hit theaters, but here's hoping it'll be out before the end of the year.

Mild spoilers below for anyone who hasn't seen War Machine, so be warned!

Alan Ritchson is having a moment. Between the continued popularity of Reacher and his growing slate of film roles on the 2026 movie calendar, the actor has become one of the most recognizable action stars working right now. His latest project, War Machine, has been racking up huge viewing numbers since making its streaming debut. It didn’t take long for him to celebrate the milestone online, and the numbers he highlighted are honestly pretty wild.

Ritchson recently took to Instagram to react to the film’s early streaming success, calling the amount of attention the movie has received “unheard of.” Sharing his excitement with fans, the actor wrote:

According to the numbers the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actor shared, the film has already pulled in 39.9 million views, which is pretty impressive. Netflix doesn’t always publicly share detailed viewing figures, so when numbers like that start circulating, it’s easy to see why people are taking notice.

If you’ve been paying attention to the conversation around War Machine, available with a Netflix subscription, the strong viewership actually makes a lot of sense. The Netflix release has become a talking point online thanks to a surprising tonal shift that audiences didn’t necessarily see coming. The movie starts off feeling like a fairly straightforward action-heavy story, but eventually pivots into something much stranger and more of a sci-fi vibe, which has sparked plenty of discussion among viewers.

That kind of unexpected genre pivot can sometimes divide audiences, but it’s also the sort of creative swing that tends to get people talking—and talking is exactly what drives streaming numbers.

Critically, War Machine has landed in solid territory as well. The movie currently holds a 69% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 72% audience approval rating, suggesting that while the film might not be universally loved, it’s connecting with a good portion of viewers. Cinemablend’s own Nick Venable gave it a three out of five-star review, calling it Reacher vs Robot. For a genre movie built around a bold tonal shift, those scores are actually pretty respectable. And hey, if these numbers are to be believed, it's sounding more likely that a War Machine 2 is a no-brainer.

Of course, Ritchson’s popularity probably isn’t hurting the film’s performance either. The actor has become a fan-favorite in recent years thanks to his work on Reacher, where his physical presence and dry sense of humor helped redefine the Jack Reacher character for television. That growing fanbase means that when the Fast X actor headlines a project, there’s already a built-in audience curious to see what he does next.

Pair that with a high-concept premise and a movie that’s willing to take some creative risks, and it’s easy to see why War Machine has found a sizable audience on Netflix. Whether audiences love the twisty direction the movie takes or simply enjoy the ride, the combination of Ritchson’s rising star power and a film that refuses to play things safe appears to be working. Judging by the “unheard of” viewership, plenty of Netflix subscribers are already pressing play to see what all the buzz is about.

Be sure to check out our streaming schedule to see what’s arriving on the small screen soon. And for fans of the actor, Reacher Season 4 is already on the way, with Ritchson teasing it could be one of the show’s best seasons yet.

Alan Ritchson has played Jack Reacher for three seasons (so far), and over the course of the series, his character has taken quite a beating. It’s basically becoming standard practice at this point that if you see Ritchson in a TV show or movie, he’s either going to beat someone up or get beaten up himself (or both), and the same is true in his new movie, War Machine.

The film, available with a Netflix subscription, sees Alan Ritchson as a combat engineer known only as 81, who must fight an otherworldly threat alongside a small group of soldiers. Ritchson tells THR that the film was even more physically gruelling for him than his previous endeavors, but he was able to get through it because his experience has taught him that pain is temporary. He said…

Alan Ritchson may only be acting like a super tough guy in movies, but there’s only so much you can pretend to physically exert yourself. At a certain point, you have to actually do what your character needs to do on screen. This can certainly lead to pain when you push your body too far too often, which, it sounds like Alan Ritchson has certainly done. Case-in-point, he ended up with a black eye filming the next season of Reacher that wasn’t from makeup.

Ritchson admits to having something of a problem because he likes to work with as few breaks between projects as possible. This causes a problem when the projects he’s doing lead to him being in pain, because it means he doesn’t get a break from that either. He continued…

We’ve certainly seen that Ritchson likes to work and doesn’t take breaks. Last year, he wrapped filming on the upcoming movie Runner, and then was almost immediately spotted filming a cameo for the upcoming Reacher spinoff Neagley. That rolled into the next season of Reacher in fairly short order.

When Ritchson says he doesn’t remember the pain, he’s apparently being quite honest. He said that even when he sees the finished film, he doesn’t remember whatever he went through, and is instead just proud of the project. He said…

As a fan of Alan Ritchson, I’m certainly appreciative of his willingness to go through some pain to do some incredible stuff on film. I’m certainly looking forward to Season 4 of Reacher to see just what he does, as he’s promised the upcoming season will be one of the show’s best.

Spoiler Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for the War Machine ending. If you have yet to watch the new Netflix movie, please proceed with caution.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve watched War Machine with your Netflix subscription, and are coming here to find out what’s next for Alan Ritchson’s silent warrior. While Netflix has yet to announce War Machine 2 (or whatever it ends up being called), the new 2026 movie has been incredibly popular with users since making its streaming debut. That said, it should only be a matter of time before we see Staff Sergeant 81 take on even more high-tech aliens.

So, what’s been said about what could end up being the next great action franchise for the streamer? Come with me if you want to see what both Alan Ritchson and the film’s director, Patrick Hughes, have said about the possibility of even more sci-fi action! But before, I have to break down the War Machine ending and how it perfectly sets up a sequel.

The War Machine Ending Perfectly Sets Up A Sequel

The War Machine ending does leave us with unanswered questions about the titular alien robots and their origins, but the new action flick does do a great job of laying the groundwork for a sequel somewhere down the road. The movie ends with Alan Ritchson’s Staff Sergeant 81, who learned that you could defeat the robots by blocking their ventilation system to overheat, being accepted into the 75th Ranger Regiment of the United States Army, and being asked to join in on the counteroffensive.

Though things do wrap up with a Christopher Nolan-like ending in the sense that one story ends as another begins, the final scene in War Machine perfectly sets up a sequel (or sequels) in that it teases even more action to come in the future. With tens of thousands of those war machines set to invade Earth, 81 and the rest of the survivors have their work cut out for them. So, will it happen?

Patrick Hughes Initially Saw War Machine As A Standalone Story, But He's Ready To Pull The Trigger

With a concept like the one on display in War Machine, no one would hold anything against you if you were under the impression that this was something always meant to be a franchise. However, director Patrick Hughes, who previously helmed action flicks like The Expendables 3 and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, revealed in a recent interview that this was originally a standalone story.

When speaking with ScreenRant ahead of the film’s Netflix debut, Hughes was quick to dismiss the notion that this was always going to be a franchise, but he did say that he has since sketched it out and knows exactly where it’s going:

With War Machine being incredibly popular with Netflix users (it’s sitting atop the Netflix Top 10 at the time of this writing), I wouldn’t be surprised if the streamer gives Hughes and company the green light sooner or later. Considering his “ready to pull the trigger” comments, Hughes could hit the ground running as soon as that call comes in!

The Director Has Also Said There’s A Broader Story

Though Patrick Hughes, who was at one point eyed to remake The Raid, didn’t open up about a possible story direction for War Machine 2, his comments in the ScreenRant interview make it seem like he has a lot of the next movie planned out already. Around the same time as that chat, the director caught up with Decider and discussed what went into making 81’s story come to life while hinting at what could come for Alan Ritchson’s deadly character if given the opportunity:

The idea of starting with the micro and ending with the macro worked out really well for War Machine, considering the audience knew about as much as 81 throughout the movie. Now that both Ritchson’s character has a better grasp of what’s happening on a global level, the possibilities are limitless. Now we just need Hughes to open up some more about the “broader story.” And if the ending moments where humanity’s preparing for war are a part of this, things are about to kick off!

Alan Ritchson Has Hinted At ‘Tons’ Of Ideas For A Movie He Thinks Will Be ‘Sick’

Patrick Hughes isn’t the only person opening up about the idea of War Machine 2 in the future, as the first film’s main attraction is also trying to drum up support for a full-on franchise centered around Staff Sergeant 81. When speaking with ScreenRant alongside the director, the Jack Reacher star took a less-than-subtle way of addressing the question when asked about plans for a sequel. I’ll let the man speak for himself:

In case you missed it, the War Machines title Ritchson joked about was an homage to James Cameron’s 1986 sci-fi classic, Aliens, a movie that supercharged the genre and inspired countless action flicks in the 40 years that have followed. Oh, how much I would give to see Ritchson stroll into Netflix’s headquarters and write a dollar sign at the end of War Machine like that remarkable (and remarkably true) Cameron story. I would pay to see that!

Only time will tell what’ll happen with the War Machine franchise. That said, with the movie being a big title for Netflix and Alan Ritchson being one of the biggest stars in Hollywood right now, I think it’s a matter of when instead of if.

Filmmaker Patrick Hughes went from the independently financed neo-western thriller Red Hill to the gargantuan action sequel The Expendables 3, and he’s enjoyed a string of moderately budgeted blockbusters ever since. (The Hitman’s Bodyguard, its sequel, and 2022’s romp The Man from Toronto.) The sci-fi-leaning War Machine marks his first return to screenwriting and producing since his debut, and it shows, for better and for worse.

Hughes isn't the Netflix release's biggest draw, though. That distinction belongs to Alan Ritchson, whose Reacher series has cemented his appeal as a hulking action star with charm and brains to spare. War Machine feels crafted specifically to match the actor’s physical talents, but unfortunately fails to highlight his charisma or feature an iota of humor.

Of course, this isn’t the kind of movie one turns on expecting wit-soaked comedy on par with Mel Brooks or Billy Wilder. No, the target audience here includes those who want everything on the screen (actors included) to have at least an 80% chance of exploding at any given moment. Those who share that stance will definitely have more fun here than anyone hoping for more than genre expectations.

If You're Looking For A "Reacher Vs. Giant Robot" Movie: 4 Stars

Alan Ritchson's character — nearly everyone is referred to by assigned numbers rather than names, so he's Staff Sergeant 81 here — joins the Army Rangers in tribute to his brother (Jai Courtney), who's killed by insurgents as the siblings are stationed in Afghanistan. Some time later, 81 is plagued by both grief and guilt over not being able to carry his bro to safety, and that lack of self-worth does go a long way in making a character willing to face off against seemingly indestructible technology.

Despite not bonding with other new recruits (and sporting a general lack of personality), 81 is assigned group leader for what should be a routine training mission to locate and destroy a fallen aircraft. The clever move here is that the soldiers have no guns, so when what they believe to be their target becomes an heavily armed extraterrestrial nightmare worthy of Transformers comparisons, a high body count is inevitable, and all without bullet hell tropes.

To be expected, 81 is the most skilled at just about everything attempted (except for maybe keeping his squad alive), and a lot of the movie does indeed pay off on the "Reacher vs. Robot" promise. The size difference make it so that we don't see Ritchson actually punching the thing in its face (a feature it doesn't even seem to have), but the "man vs. machine" theming gets paid off in full.

If You Want An Action Movie That Prioritizes Real Stunts And Locations Over CGI: 4 Stars

So many action and sci-fi movies tend to share similar aesthetics these days, thanks to The Volume-esque productions that trade out real-world backgrounds and locations for digital add-ins. In a similar vein, many modern productions opt for digital explosions and destruction instead of anything tangible. Thankfully, Patrick Hughes' proven talents with practical stunts and effects were utilized throughout War Machine, and it's felt. We're talking multiple helicopter shots, people.

When 81's unit is either approaching the mysterious attacker-bot or retreating from it, they are very clearly running through a real location with trees and rocky formations as far as the eye can see. As well, scenes incorporate the surroundings in exciting ways, with several harrowing sequences involving a rushing river that seems impossible to cross safely.

As well, when the soldiers are brutally taken down by the giant tech's scary weaponry, there's real viscera and body parts flying around, with more than enough wide shots for audiences to appreciate all the gooey work on display. It's everything one loves about the action movies glut of the '80s and early '90s, just with mostly superior directing and editing techniques.

If You Need Hard Sci-Fi With Deep Themes And Highly Memorable Characters: 1 Star

For all the awesome action sequences and stuntwork on display, War Machine's story and characters are entirely lacking, and the dearth of repeatable one-liners is downright tragic. The entire movie hinges on a mid-feature "twist" (that was more or less spoiled by marketing and early reviews) that doesn't get a worthwhile enough explanation to properly make the final moments as shocking as they should be.

Perhaps that would have risked the mechanical antagonist being more dimensional than Ritchson's forever-brooding 81, who has no character traits beyond his backstory-gleaned gloom. With all due respect to the talented cast, none of their characters' origins would fill the back of a trading card. I'm glad the movie isn't full of rote military banter, but this movie desperately needs some kind of personality-based humor. Stephan James' Staff Sergeant 7 is arguably the most rounded of anyone, and his arc hits a point of ridiculousness that I wouldn't have appreciated with any of the others. So that's something.

If Hughes ever recuts War Machine to replace 5-10 minutes of moody conversations with jovial cameraderie, organic jokes, and a smattering of over-the-top and stress-induced reactions to the titular machine, it'd get at least another star. Until then...

Spoiler Warning: The following article contain major spoilers for War Machine. If you’ve yet to watch the new Netflix movie, proceed with caution.

Like a lot of people with a Netflix subscription, I started my weekend watching War Machine, the new Alan Ritchson sci-fi action flick critics are calling “absurd on almost every level.” While I did thoroughly enjoy watching Ritchson’s “Staff Sergeant 81” pull off all kinds of heroic feats in his attempt to save his fellow Army Ranger candidates (and the world) from an impressive piece of alien tech, there’s one thing about the 2026 movie I’m not clear on.

It’s not about 81 pretty much single-handedly taking down a piece of mech that looks like something out of the Metal Gear Solid games. Nor is it about why the staff sergeant was able to get into the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), though both are valid. However, it instead has to deal with the titular war machine and the mysterious alien race that sent it…

Are The Machines The Aliens, Or Mech Sent Before Their Arrival?

One thing that works really well in War Machine is that the audience is primarily left in the dark and spends much of the movie knowing nothing about the titular alien robots until Alan Ritchson’s character figures things out. Though it is later revealed that the machines are, in fact, part of some global invasion (with tens of thousands more on the way), the movie stops short of revealing one thing: Are the machines the aliens or just instruments of death and destruction sent ahead of their arrival?

We’ve seen it both ways over the years. On one hand, you have great sci-fi movies like Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, having big reveals that the tripods were piloted by aliens hellbent on destroying humanity and taking over the planet. Other times, like in the Transformers movies, the machines are the aliens and are doing their own bidding.

In War Machine, we’re never given the opportunity to figure out if this is some advanced race of bio-mechanical aliens with some level of sentience or if they’re simply following orders by an organic alien race preparing to wipe humanity out and take over the planet. However, there is a scene that could offer a hint.

One Scene Offers Hints, But Is Short On Answers

There is a scene near the end of War Machine where Alan Ritchson’s character watches the alien robot send some kind of communication beam into the sky. Taking place a few minutes before the big reveal, where we learn that this war machine wasn’t alone, the sequence gives us a hint that something larger is at play. However, even after finishing the movie, it’s hard to say if the robots are aliens or sent by some advanced race.

While this sequence does offer some hints about how the machines work and communicate with each other (both on and off the planet), it doesn’t answer the big question that I keep asking. I’ve watched enough alien invasion movies to know that it could go either way.

Not knowing the origin of the machines is a tad bit frustrating, but this big unanswered question does open the door for all kinds of possibilities for a sequel down the road. Now we just need Netflix to make it happen!

Alan Ritchson has developed quite a following through three seasons of Reacher, and while Season 4 is on the way — “the best season we’ve ever made by a long shot,” the actor says — we don’t have to wait for its release to see Ritchson return to action. War Machine hit the 2026 movie calendar on March 6, streaming with a Netflix subscription, and critics are sharing their thoughts on the sci-fi action flick.

War Machine sees Alan Ritchson playing Staff Sergeant 81, who sets out for a field exercise with his fellow Army Ranger recruits, only to happen upon a large robot hell-bent on destruction. James Dyer of Empire says the movie is “big dumb fun,” rating it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a “brainless, bombastic, bomb-tastic action romp, this is absurd on almost every level, and far more fun than it has any right to be.” The critic continues:

William Bibbiani of The Wrap calls War Machine both shameless pro-military propaganda and “straightforward, b-movie fun.” It’s basically a bad knockoff of Predator, but the critic says nothing matters other than this:

Caroline Siede of AV Club grades it a B-, saying the new action movie finds its groove in the second act, offering “squelching impalements and shocking dismemberments” with an admirable amount of the action filmed without use of CGI backdrops. Unfortunately, War Machine doesn’t end on as strong a note, as Siede writes:

Monica Castillo of RogerEbert rates the movie 2 out of 4 stars, saying it’s not meant to withstand big questions. Rather, this high-octane action thriller is way more fun when it goes off the rails, Castillo says, writing:

Matt Fowler of IGN gives the 2026 Netflix movie an “Okay” 6 out of 10, saying there’s just enough juice here — mostly thanks to its star — to keep it from being a snoozefest and is possibly one of the better disposable streaming action movies available. The critic concludes:

Critics’ reactions to Alan Ritchson’s latest project are fairly middling, most careful to categorize it as “fun” more than “good,” but the response seems to be leaning positive, with 21 critics averaging a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing.

There’s certainly something to be said for a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously or force you to think too hard, and if that sounds appealing to you, go ahead and hit Play on War Machine, which is streaming now on Netflix.

How is it March already? Somehow, the first two months of the year are already gone, though they’ve given us some great new streaming movies and TV to enjoy along the way. March is certainly following suit, as, if you’re looking for something new to watch, there’s plenty to enjoy this week, from the long-awaited second season of a hit comedy to the newest look at one of the great classic characters of fiction.

Young Sherlock - March 4 (Prime Video)

Sherlock Holmes has been adapted for the screen as much as any character in fiction. Rarely, however, has it turned back the clock so far as to see Holmes before he became the world’s first consulting detective. Young Sherlock is produced by Guy Ritchie, who previously brought us two solid Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr.. Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars as Holmes, who is a student at Oxford when he makes friends with James Moriarty.

The Hunt - March 4 (Apple TV)

The Hunt is interesting because its road to streaming was an odd one. It was originally set to debut back in December for those with an Apple TV subscription, before the show was pulled following accusations of plagiarism. The series, which follows a battle of wills between two groups of men who come across each other while hunting in the woods, appears to have remained intact... though the credits have now been altered as they state the series is based on a book by Douglas Fairbairn.

Ted, Season 2 - March 5 (Peacock)

Seth MacFarlane’s Ted was something of a surprise hit when the first film debuted back in 2012. It did so well that a sequel film was quickly put in development. Those movies then spawned a series you can watch with a Peacock subscription. The first season came out over two years ago, so fans have been waiting a while for the continuation of this prequel story. But one has to imagine the laughs will continue.

Vladimir - March 5 (Netflix)

Vladimir is a new Netflix series based on the book of the same name and stars the once and future Mummy star Rachel Weisz as a woman who becomes obsessed with a co-worker. Do I know this show will be great? No, but I have to admit I’m more than a little curious after the show released one of the most suggestive poster images in recent memory. I’ll be using my Netflix subscription to see just what this one has to offer.

The Dinosaurs - March 6 (Netflix)

Steven Spielberg and dinosaurs? Yes please. Every generation needs a top tier documentary about the history of dinosaurs, and the newest comes in the part of a four part Netflix series that’s produced by Spielberg, and is narrated by Morgan Freeman. One can expect cutting edge animation and the most accurate scientific information we have about these magnificent creatures.

War Machine - March 6 (Netflix)

My Prime Video subscription has been waiting for the newest season of Reacher, as I’ve had a distinct lack of Alan Ritchson beating the crap out of people on my TV. The good news, however, is that over on Netflix this week, we get War Machine, a movie that dares to ask the question, what if Jack Reacher fought an alien mech? I can’t wait to find out the answer.

There’s plenty more where this came from with the rest of March getting ready to bring us Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again and One Piece as well as the follow-up to Jury Duty and more.

James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since it launched in 2008 with Iron Man, and Don Cheadle took over the role from Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2. While Cheadle has now played/voiced the character in 10 MCU projects, including the Secret Invasion series airing to Disney+ subscribers now, he still has yet to lead his own story, but that will soon change. Initially developed as a show, Armor Wars will now be a movie, and a new rumor has emerged claiming that it’ll bring back a major Iron Man character: Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer, one of the antagonists from Cheadle’s MCU debut.

Let’s set the stage first. Similar to the same-named story comic book arc that ran from Iron Man #225-232, Armor Wars will follow Rhodey having to confront one of the late Tony Stark’s greatest fears when various pieces of Stark Technology end up in the wrong hands. According to The Cosmic Circus, the Department of Damage Control (DODC), which has been chronologically active in the MCU since post-The Avengers, has seized the technology as part of its efforts to start dealing with enhanced individuals and other threats on its own rather than rely on superheroes. That includes using the Stark tech to make an “Iron army,” i.e. putting individuals in Iron Man suits, but this initiative ends up getting hijacked by Armor Wars’ main antagonists. These villains, according to the outlet, are Justin Hammer and Julia Louis Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the latter of whom we’ve already seen in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black Widow and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and will next be seen in Thunderbolts.

Per this rumor, Fontaine, who’s director of the CIA at this point, is the one pulling the DODC’s strings for her own schemes, and she’s recruited Hammer to “develop this team of Iron Men.” Assuming Sam Rockwell is indeed involved with Armor Wars, this will be his third MCU appearance. After being betrayed by Ivan Vanko and arrested by the authorities in Iron Man 2, he cameoed in the Marvel One-Shot short film All Hail the King, where he was incarcerated in the same prison as Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery (who will next be seen in the Wonder Man series following his return in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). He may not be able to exact vengeance on Tony Stark anymore, but I imagine Hammer would find causing trouble for Rhodey to be a nice consolation prize.

As if a Fontaine/Hammer partnership wasn’t bad enough, The Cosmic Circus also mentioned that Armor Wars may feature rogue AI, and there’s even been rumblings about Ultron somehow being brought back, though it isn’t clear if that’s truly on the table. The good news for War Machine, though, is that he supposedly won’t have to deal with all this on his own, as Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams is said to be suiting back up in this upcoming Marvel movie following her appearances in Wakanda Forever and Ironheart, with the latter series expected to arrive to Disney+ sometime in 2024. It’s also possible that Armor Wars will feature “the potential return of several characters related to the Iron Man franchise,” but that’s unconfirmed for now.

While Armor Wars doesn’t have a specific release date yet, this report claimed that it will be the next movie after Fantastic Four, which would slot it into July 25, 2025. If that or any of the rumored information mentioned in this piece is verified, we’ll let you know. Until then, keep track of what else is coming up in the MCU with our upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming Marvel TV shows guides.

The MCU is a behemoth force that’s always growing. Those of us who have been watching the Marvel movies in order know the characters well, especially those who have been around since Phase One. That includes James Rhodes, who has been played by Don Cheadle since Iron Man 2. He’s got roles in Marvel’s TV and movie projects that are coming down the line, which will surely excite fans. One of those upcoming Marvel movies is Armor Wars, which should presumably put Rhodey in the spotlight. And Cheadle recently teased War Machine’s story in that Marvel flick.

While Don Cheadle has been an Avenger since back in 2010, he hasn’t gotten the chance to lead his own project yet. But that’s expected to change with Armor Wars, which is currently in development at Marvel Studios. The 58 year-old actor recently spoke to EW about his tenure in the MCU, teasing what’s coming with his upcoming movie, saying:

Honestly, sign me up. War Machine has always been a favorite Marvel character of mine, even before the big screen cinematic universe was formed. What can I say, I always prefer the sidekick to the main hero. Although given Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame, it’s the perfect time for Rhodey to take up more space in the shared universe. Cheadle makes it sound like we’ll be seeing deeper sides to his signature character in Armor Wars.

Cheadle’s comments about that developing movie come as he’s promoting his role in the Marvel show Secret Invasion, which will be available for those with a Disney+ subscription. But fans are already looking to the future, specifically the movie that’ll put War Machine front and center for the first time. I’m especially curious to see how he’s been coping since the death of Tony Stark.

We're currently in the midst of Phase Five of the MCU, and there are countless questions about how the events of various movies and TV shows will influence the shared universe as a whole. Hopefully more answers are coming, and will build to the next big crossover moment: Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Although it’s unclear if the same actor will still play the title role, given Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles.

Armor Wars doesn’t currently have a concrete release date. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth force in the entertainment industry. The franchise continues to grow thanks to upcoming Marvel movies and TV shows, and some of the starring actors have been around for a long time. That includes War Machine himself Don Cheadle, who spoke about what it’s like to have “grown up” with the Avengers cast for over a decade.

Cheadle made his MCU debut in 2010’s Iron Man 2, taking on the role of James Rhodes from Terrence Howard. Since then he’s been seen on both the small and silver screens, and will appear next in Secret Invasion opposite Samuel L. Jackson. The Crash actor spoke with People about his time as an Avenger, and the bond he shares with his castmates. In his words:

Some points were made. It’s almost hard to believe it, but it's been over 10 years since the MCU began entertaining audiences. That’s a lot of time for anyone to spend with one role, and the original lineup of Avengers have grown with each other. And that includes big life events like marriages, divorces, and kids. Celebrities: sometimes they really are just like us.

Don Cheadle’s comments are a touching peek behind the curtain about what it’s actually like working in the giant machine that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But it’s ultimately just a group of people who are making each new blockbuster, and there have clearly been some very strong bonds made in the process.

While some Marvel favorites like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlet Johansson have retired from their signature roles, some long-standing heroes are still in play including Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, and Don Cheadle. As a reminder, you can check out the latter actor in the Secret Invasion trailer below: 

Aside from that forthcoming MCU series that’ll be available with a Disney+ subscription, Cheadle will also be playing War Machine in the big screen blockbuster Armor Wars. Fans are also hoping to see him in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but it remains to be seen how Rhodey’s story goes down in the first two projects. Moviegoers are also concerned about that upcoming Avengers movie thanks to Jonathan Majors’ recent arrest.

Given Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame, I’m eager to see Cheadle’s hero step into the spotlight. While we got a few scenes of him in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, we haven’t seen much of Rhodey since the good guys beat Thanos for good. Luckily that should change soon.

Secret Invasion will premiere on Disney+ June 21, while Armor Wars doesn’t have a release date just yet. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

James “Rhodey” Rhodes has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since it launched in 2008 with Iron Man, and while Terrence Howard originated the role, it’s belonged to Don Cheadle since 2010’s Iron Man 2, which saw the character taking on the War Machine mantle. After more than a decade of being one of the MCU’s most important supporting characters, the time has finally come for him to take center stage, as he’ll be leading Armor Wars. However, instead of moving forward as a Disney+ show like originally planned, it was announced in late September that Armor Wars is being turned into a movie, and Marvel producer Nate Moore recently explained why this change happened.

Nate Moore, who’s been making the press rounds to promote Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, stopped by The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast, and the eponymous host inquired about the Armor Wars shift, asking how that decision came about and what the “guideposts” are for figuring out if a Marvel project should be a movie rather than a show accessible exclusively to Disney+ subscribers. Moore answered:

At the time it was revealed that Armor Wars would be a movie instead of a Disney+ show, the reason for this was simply attributed to the powers-that-be at Marvel Studios feeling going the feature route was the better course of action. Now we know from Nate Moore that the budget was the main issue, because although Marvel pours plenty of money into its Disney+ shows, they’re not on the same level as what’s shown in theaters.  For something like Armor Wars, it became clear that the small screen wouldn’t cut it with the first project to put War Machine front and center, particularly when we’ll be seeing various armored suits in action beyond just the one James Rhodes is wearing.

That would also explain why Ironheart, which is spinning out of the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, will still be a Disney+ show, because Dominque Thorne’s Riri Williams will likely be the only one wearing an armored suit. But aside from the shift from streaming to theatrical, it sounds like not much has changed about Armor Wars. In addition to Don Cheadle obviously still being attached to star, Yassir Lester is still on writing duties. Inspired by the same-named comic book arc, Armor Wars will follow Rhodey having to grapple with the technology developed by the late Tony Stark, his best friend, falling into the wrong hands. No release date for Armor Wars has been set, but it will take place after what goes down in Disney+’s Secret Invasion.

Given how Marvel’s Phase 5 is already packed on both fronts, it stands to reason that Armor Wars won’t be released until sometime during Phase 6, but once a concrete date is announced, we’ll let you know. Until then, head to Disney+ to watch the Marvel movies in order, or look through our guide detailing the other upcoming Marvel movies.

There are a number of upcoming Marvel movies on the docket and, just recently, another was added to the list. Armor Wars, which was set to be a show over at Disney+, will now be a full-blown motion picture. And don’t worry, Don Cheadle is still returning as Col. James Rhodes, and this will mark the first time that he’s led a Marvel Cinematic Universe production. The recent announcement is exciting but, if I’m being completely honest, I now have one significant concern regarding this War Machine story.

Why Marvel Studios’ Armor Wars News Is Something To Be Hyped About

“Armor Wars” is a beloved story arc – and one that’s ripe for a live-action adaptation. The original 1987-1988 comic book limited series, which was written by Bob Layton and David Michelinie, sees Tony Stark’s worst nightmare come true. The Avenger is forced to contend with various enemies when his Iron Man technology falls into the wrong hands. (Obviously, since the MCU’s Tony died in Avengers: Endgame, the story will be altered accordingly.) It’s a massive story that’s filled with plenty of cool suits of armor. As reported, Marvel believed that this tale would be better adapted as a film, and I agree with that assessment.

Such a massive story practically screams “big-screen adventure” and, with a budget befitting a feature film, the producers won’t be limited when it comes to the spectacular sequences they can showcase. It’s also worth noting that amid Disney’s 2022 D23 Expo, Marvel teased a number of new War Machine suits for Rhodey. So said armor should look stunning with a feature-level budget at play. All in all, the cinematic shift should ensure that the production is a true spectacle that could match any of the Iron Man movies. Yet there’s still one thing I still can’t help but question.

Will Armor Wars Still Be Able To Truly Examine Rhodey As A Character?

One of the things that’s had me excited about Armor Wars from the jump is the prospect of seeing Don Cheadle’s James Rhodes step into the spotlight. With that, Cheadle also promised that the production will reveal “a lot” about Rhodey. However, I’m now left wondering whether that’ll still be the case since the project is being condensed into what will likely be a two-hour+ movie. As previously stated, this is a big story with a lot of moving parts – and likely a sizable amount of characters. So that could have some kind of impact on the amount of time that’s devoted solely to fleshing out Rhodey, who’s mainly served as a supporting character up to this point. 

Thanks to their 6 to 9-episode runs, the Disney+ MCU shows have had more than enough time to sit with characters and add the necessary layers to them. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier did a lot when it came to filling out Sam Wilson’s personal life and his general mindset as a person and superhero. Ms. Marvel did a masterful job of presenting the various facets of Kamala Khan and her world, and need we even mention what WandaVision did for the Scarlet Witch? Admittedly, some would argue that a number of these shows might’ve worked better as feature films, but it’s hard to argue that they were able to take their time and give their lead characters’ their due.

Please don’t misunderstand me here. I’m definitely still looking forward to Armor Wars, and the fact that I’ll likely be able to check it out on an IMAX screen is even more exciting. All the while, I will still be hoping that the movie manages to service Don Cheadle’s War Machine, who’s more than deserving of his time in the sun. But given that Marvel Studios surely has affection for the character as well, I’m confident that the producers will do him justice.

Though a release date has yet to be announced for Armor Wars, check out what we do know about it so far. You can also stream Don Cheadle’s past work in the MCU by streaming Marvel TV shows and films with a Disney+ subscription.

Years after his long-awaited introduction was teased in one of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s post-credits scenes, we finally know who is playing Adam Warlock in the Marvel movies: Will Poulter. The talented, 28-year-old British actor has an eclectic filmography that includes intense dramas like The Revenant, goofy comedies like We’re the Millers, and, more recently, fact-based limited series like Dopesick on Hulu, but he will be making his superhero movies debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as one of the most powerful cosmic beings in Marvel Comics history. In the meantime, let’s revisit the highlights of his career thus far with some of the best Will Poulter movies available on streaming, for digital rental, or on physical media, starting with his very first credit.

Son Of Rambow (2007)

A young boy (Bill Milner) and a notorious school bully (Will Poulter) form an unlikely friendship while shooting their own movie inspired by First Blood  - the first of the Rambo movies - in 1980s England. 

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: Will Poulter was 14 when he made his screen acting debut in Son of Rambow, an inventive and charming coming-of-age story that brilliantly sheds light on all the highs of lows of friendship during childhood.

Stream Son Of Rambow on Paramount+. 
Rent/buy Son Of Rambow digitally on Amazon. 
Buy Son Of Rambow on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader (2010)

Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes) bring their cousin, Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter), to the wondrous world they once discovered years earlier for a trip to the edge of the world aboard a royal ship that brings them face-to-face with dragons, long-lost warriors, and more.

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: Will Poulter got to experience a sudden uptick in scale and budget with his second movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - the third (and, unfortunately, last) installment of the fantasy/adventure franchise inspired by C.S. Lewis’ beloved book series.

Stream The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader on Disney+. 
Rent/buy The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader digitally on Amazon. 
Buy The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Maze Runner Movies (2014, 2018)

A group of young amnesiacs manage to escape a labyrinth crawling with deadly machines, only to discover even more horrifying circumstances and dark secrets in the outside world that inspire them to lead a rebellion against their former captors.

Why they are good Will Poulter movies: In his next experience acting in a big budget franchise based on a book series, Will Poulter played Gally, who evolves from a ruthless rival to a redemptive ally of central hero Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) in the first and third Maze Runner movies, which are based on James Dashhner’s hit YA dystopian novels.

Rent/buy The Maze Runner digitally on Amazon. 
Buy The Maze Runner on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
Rent/buy Maze Runner: The Death Cure digitally on Amazon. 
Buy Maze Runner: The Death Cure on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

We’re The Millers (2013)

A middle-aged pot dealer (Jason Sudeikis) enlists his broke stripper neighbor (former Friends cast member Jennifer Aniston), a hapless young introvert (Will Poulter), and an edgy teen runaway (Emma Roberts) to pose as his wife and kids on a trip to Mexico for a huge drug pickup.

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: Before returning to big budget spectacle, Will Poulter would branch out into funnier and raunchier territory with We’re the Millers - director Rawson Marshall Thurber’s fun twist on the family road trip comedy in which the then 20-year-old actor’s character suffers a tarantula bite in a very awkward place.

Stream We’re The Millers on HBO Max. 
Rent/buy We’re The Millers digitally on Amazon. 
Buy We’re The Millers on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

A young, aspiring designer (Fionn Whitehead) attempts to adapt a choose-your-own-adventure novel into a video game, only to find that his own life seems to be its own choose-your-own-adventure story that he is slowly loosing control over, in 1980s England.

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: You will never know what to expect from how you choose the story to continue in the Emmy-winning interactive movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch - one of the best Netflix movies also spun-off from on the best Netflix TV shows - but can count on Will Poulter to give a stellar performance as a famed video game programmer whose eccentricities are fueled by dark secrets. 

Stream Black Mirror: Bandersnatch on Netflix. 

Midsommar (2019)

Hoping to find solace from a devastating tragedy, a young woman (Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh) joins her emotionally distant boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and his classmates at a traditional Swedish festival that proves to be a more bizarre and ominous experience than they were prepared for. 

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: While Black Mirror: Bandersnatch could be considered Will Poulter’s first foray into horror movies, his most definitive performance as a “Scream King” is in writer and director Ari Aster’s masterfully unnerving sophomore effort Midsommar - one of the best movies on Amazon Prime and one in which he, once again, does a fantastic job playing an insufferably bullish character.

Stream Midsommar on Amazon Prime. 
Rent/buy Midsommar digitally on Amazon. 
Buy Midsommar on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Detroit (2017)

The story of the deadly police raid that led to one of the most infamous race riots in American history in 1967.

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: Two years before co-starring in Midsommar, Will Poulter and Jack Reynor played two police officers who participated in the horrifying true events depicted in Detroit - another stunningly intense drama from writer Mark Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow, in which Poulter gives another sinister performance.

Stream Detroit on Starz.
Stream Detroit on IMDb TV. 
Rent/buy Detroit digitally on Amazon. 
Buy Detroit on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Revenant (2015)

A frontiersman (Leonardo DiCaprio) defies death in order to exact revenge on a member of his hunting crew (Tom Hardy) who killed his son and left him for dead after suffering a horrifying bear attack.

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: Will Poulter was thankfully given a chance to be a more sympathetic character in The Revenant - another intense, yet visually engrossing, retelling of an (allegedly) true story that earned director Alejandro González Iñarritu his fourth Oscar and star Leonardo DiCaprio his first.

Rent/buy The Revenant digitally on Amazon. 
Buy The Revenant on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

War Machine (2017)

A seasoned U.S. military general (Brad Pitt) assigned to “clean” things up and exit Afghanistan after eight years of war is instead more interested in winning the fight.

Why it is a good Will Poulter movie: Will Poulter appears as an ambitious American soldier in some of the more memorably intense moments from the Netflix original film War Machine, which is an otherwise absurdist satire that explores when enough really is enough when it comes to war.

Stream War Machine on Netflix.

While there are no 2021 movies starring Will Poulter to look forward to once you have finished this binge, the actor has completed filming a musical heist movie called The Score, is currently filming a limited series based on Agatha Christie’s novel Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? premiering in 2022, and, of course, his debut as Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected for May 2023.

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James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Tony Stark’s best friend, has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since it launched in 2008 with Iron Man, with Don Cheadle taking over the role from Terrence Howard in 2010’s Iron Man 2. That was also when that version of the character suited up as War Machine for the first time, and since then he’s been a supporting superhero in the MCU across numerous movies. Now Cheadle’s Rhodey is finally getting the spotlight to himself for Armor Wars, and it’s been announced that the upcoming Disney+ series has taken a big step forward behind the scenes.

Yassir Lester, who’s already crossed worked with Don Cheadle on the Showtime series Black Monday, has been hired to be Armor Wars’ head writer. Along with his work behind the scenes on Black Monday as a writer and executive story editor, he’s also recurred on the series as Yassir X. Lester’s other writing credits include Girls and Earth to Ned, while his on-camera resume includes Making History, Champions, Duncanville, black-ish and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

While Armor Wars is still early into the development process and a director still isn’t attached yet, Yassir Lester being hired as the series’ head writer is a notable update. Deadline reports that Lester’s pitch for Armor Wars “excited execs as well as Cheadle,” so he’s already off to a good start with his time in the MCU. Armor Wars was one of three MCU series announced for Disney+ last December, alongside Ironheart and Secret Invasion.

This news comes five months after Don Cheadle appeared as James Rhodes in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s premiere episode, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Before that, War Machine was one of Avengers: Endgame’s starring characters, as he survived Thanos’ snap and embarked on the Time Heist with his fellow superheroes to undo the Mad Titan’s genocide. He was also by Tony Stark’s side as he died after using the Infinity Stones to wipe out Thanos and his army.

All that’s been announced so far about Armor Wars’ plot is that it will explore what would happen if Tony Stark’s technology ended up in the wrong hands. The original Armor Wars storyline from the comics unfolded across Iron Man #225-#232 from 1987 to 1988, although in that instance, it was Tony himself who was hunting down the perpetrators. With Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony gone in the MCU, so it’ll be up to Rhodey to ensure that his late friend’s technological creations aren’t used for malevolent purposes.

While we await more updates on Armor Wars’ progress, you can watch WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki Season 1 on Disney+ now, so make sure you’re subscribed. The first two episodes of the animated series What If… ? are also on the streaming service. Learn what else the MCU is sending to the small screen with our upcoming Marvel TV shows guide.

As Marvel fans feast on the wealth of MCU questions WandaVision has made them ponder, it's important to remember a lot more questions are on the way as Disney+ churns out more Marvel television content. One of those shows on the way is Armor Wars, which will feature War Machine actor Don Cheadle and a nightmare scenario concerning Tony Stark's technology.

The actor recently spoke about the series in an interview with Entertainment Tonight and teased a bit about what viewers can expect when they see the show. Specifically, it sounds like audiences will learn more about James Rhodes after years of seeing him play sidekick to other heroes in the MCU:

As far as what all Armor Wars will explore, there's still a laundry list of questions MCU fans have about the time after The Blip that haven't been touched on yet. While we don't know how much of that will be covered in the series, Don Cheadle has confirmed that Tony Stark's death will factor into the series (via Brobible.com). The story itself will be adapted from a popular Marvel Comics storyline, though obviously re-told through an MCU lens acknowledging the changes in the show's universe. The original story detailed Stark searching for answers as his armor's designs fell into the wrong hands.

Armor Wars is scheduled to start filming soon, but there will be opportunities to see Don Cheadle as War Machine ahead of that. The actor confirmed his character will appear in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, though obviously, he wasn't too forthcoming about what role he will play in the whole thing. With that said, it makes sense that Rhodes would have some presence in the series, being a Marvel hero with ties to the military. Captain America was technically a mantle created by the U.S. military, so one would think they have some form of say on his successor.

Armor Wars and Falcon and the Winter Soldier are just a couple of the MCU shows headed to Disney+, all of which are presumably going to enhance and expand the MCU's lore at large. Shows like Armor Wars give characters like Don Cheadle's War Machine more of a spotlight than they may get in films and a chance to tell more of their story. We're still in the early stages of its rollout but, given the fans' response to WandaVision thus far, it seems like these shows will be great for the MCU overall.

Armor Wars' official release date is currently unknown. For more on the world of Marvel, read up on WandaVision and that wild cameo that has fans talking.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown to extreme proportions over the last 12 years, establishing a litany of heroes spread across multiple series, and while we've had the opportunity to see all of them cross paths at this point, it can still be a challenge to remember exactly where the franchise left each of them. With that in mind, we have built this feature to help you keep track of all of the most important Marvel characters.

Looking both backwards and ahead, here is where everything currently stands for the main 29 heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. - Major Marvel spoilers ahead if you aren't caught up on all of the MCU films.

Iron Man: When We’ll See Tony Stark Next

Recognized as one of the smartest men to ever live, Tony Stark ushered in the age of heroes with the invention of the Iron Man armor and changed the world forever.

Where We Saw Iron Man Last

After more than a decade ruling as the central star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Stark died during the showdown with Thanos in Avengers: Endgame – sacrificing himself by using the Infinity Stones to stop the Mad Titan and his army

Where Iron Man Will Appear Next

Iron Man might be dead, which will stop him from showing up in stories set after Avengers: Endgame, but prequels offer a kind of loophole, and it's rumored that we will see Tony Stark alive again in Black Widow, which will see its story begin in the wake of Captain America: Civil War.

Captain America: When We’ll See Steve Rogers Next

Captain America was created as the world's first superhero, and while he spent decades frozen in ice, humanity will never be able to fully calculate his contribution to history.

Where We Saw Captain America Last

Captain America survived the battle against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, and saw the aftermath of the war as an opportunity to retire from the superhero business. After returning the Infinity Stones to their proper places in the timeline, he chose to return to the 1940s and live out his life with Peggy Carter.

Where Captain America Will Appear Next

From what we can tell, Chris Evans' time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing Captain America has come to an end, and there are no current plans to see the return of the character to the big or small screen.

Thor: When We’ll See The God Of Thunder Next

When Thor was born, the expectation was that he would be Odin's successor as rule as the King Of Asgard, but fate had other plans for the God of Thunder that not only took him to Earth to become an Avenger, but set him on another heroic path entirely.

Where We Saw Thor Last

Thor lost a hell of a lot between the events of Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War, but the third act of Avengers: Endgame saw him not only get his act together and redeem himself, but also start forging a new trail for himself by leaving Asgard in capable hands and leaving Earth with the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Where Thor Will Appear Next

While Iron Man and Captain America only got trilogies, Thor will be the first Marvel Cinematic Universe series to see his series hit four chapters, as he will be back in action in Taika Waititi's Thor: Love And Thunder – a film that will see him discover that his former lady love, Jane Foster, has attained his godlike powers.

Hulk: When We’ll See Bruce Banner Next

Part genius scientist, part rage-fueled monster, Hulk has gone on one hell of a journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the ride isn't done yet.

Where We Saw Hulk Last

Years and years of internal struggle ended for Hulk in Avengers: Endgame, as he was finally able to create peace between both halves of himself and become "Professor Hulk." He survived the battle against Thanos, though his arm may be permanently damaged following his use of the Infinity Stones in the nano gauntlet to resurrect all those killed by Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet snap.

Where Hulk Will Appear Next

At present, it's unknown where or when Hulk will appear next in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We know he's still roaming around, but we don't know whose story he will next be a part of. That being said, there is a She-Hulk series in development for Disney+, and it has been confirmed that the central hero, Jennifer Walters, will be portrayed as a cousin of Bruce Banners'.

Black Widow: When We’ll See Natasha Romanoff Next

Black Widow has a darker past than any Marvel Cinematic Universe character, raised with the sole purpose of being a killer and a spy, but that just makes her path as a hero that much more impressive.

Where We Saw Black Widow Last

Like Iron Man, Black Widow saw her life come to an end in Avengers: Endgame as she too made a sacrifice for the betterment of humanity – throwing herself off a cliff on the planet Vormir so that Hawkeye could acquire the Soul Stone.

Where Black Widow Will Appear Next

Also like Iron Man, Black Widow still has the capacity to show up in prequel stories, and that's exactly what we'll see her do next. As mentioned earlier, the upcoming solo Black Widow movie will reveal what happened to the titular character while on the run following the events of Captain America: Civil War, and the adventure will in turn teach us more about her endlessly mysterious past.

Hawkeye: When We’ll See Clint Barton Next

You might not think that a guy with a bow and arrow would fit in with Earth's Mightiest Heroes, but Hawkeye has more than proven his worth over the years, and will see his story continue.

Where We Saw Hawkeye Last

Hawkeye had some really dark years following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, as losing his family transformed him into a murderous vigilante, but the events of Avengers: Endgame allowed him to buy back part of his soul and return to being a force for good.

Where Hawkeye Will Appear Next

As of right now it looks like the next time we see Hawkeye will have him being in mentor mode. Disney+ is developing a Hawkeye series that will feature Clint Barton in the lead role and have him training the next hero to take on the mantle a.k.a. comic book fan-favorite Kate Bishop.

War Machine: When We’ll See James “Rhodey” Rhodes Next

A decorated war hero before he became a superhero, War Machine's journey has been an impressive and noble one – as he has always followed a strict moral code and been able to overcome great hardships.

Where We Saw War Machine Last

After being a key player in the battle against Thanos, War Machine was last seen suffering great heartbreak following the passing of his best friend, Tony Stark.

Where War Machine Will Appear Next

All signs point to James "Rhodey" Rhodes still being an active hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but as of right now it's unclear where or when the character will next appear.

Scarlet Witch: When We’ll See Wanda Maximoff Next

Scarlet Witch has come a long way since her introduction in Avengers: Age of Ultron, with her control over her powers only becoming greater and greater with each appearance, and in the near future we may see her become so powerful that she becomes a serious danger to herself.

Where We Saw Scarlet Witch Last

Scarlet Witch was nearly able to take down Thanos herself in Avengers: Endgame (the Mad Titan unleashed spaceship fire on his own army just to try and stop her), and in the end was a massive part of the victory – though she is clearly still emotionally scarred from the death of Vision.

Where Scarlet Witch Will Appear Next

Fans won't have to wait long for the return of Scarlet Witch, as her fascinating power set will be back on full display in WandaVision – the new Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ show that will be arriving in December 2020.

Vision: When We’ll See The Android Next

Being an android, Vision is unlike any other hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he is quite a wonder.

Where We Saw Vision Last

Vision was one of the only main Marvel Cinematic Universe characters who didn't appear for even a frame of Avengers: Endgame, and there's a good reason: he was killed in Avengers: Infinity War when Thanos ripped the Mind Stone out of his head.

Where Vision Will Appear Next

We don't quite know how exactly, but Vision will be back and very soon, as he is the co-lead alongside Scarlet Witch in WandaVision. How is he alive? Fans will have to tune into the Disney+ series to find out.

Falcon: When We’ll See Sam Wilson Next

Sam Wilson's history as Falcon goes back long before his time with the Avengers, having worn his special winged flight suit while serving in the military, and he has proven to be an immensely loyal and talented asset in action.

Where We Saw Falcon Last

The last time we saw Falcon he was being bestowed with quite the incredible honor. Having decided to retire from superherodom, Captain America made the decision to pass his shield on to one of his best friends, meaning that Falcon will now not only be equipped with awesome wings, but also some patriotic vibranium.

Where Falcon Will Appear Next

One of the many Disney+ shows set to roll out from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the coming years is The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, which will see the two titular heroes trying to square their differences in a post-Captain America world.

Winter Soldier: When We’ll See Bucky Barnes Next

From army sniper to brainwashed assassin to superhero, Bucky Barnes has led quite the interesting life, and the future only looks to be getting wilder for him

Where We Saw Winter Soldier Last

When Captain America made the choice to pass on his mantle to Falcon, it came with the approval of The Winter Soldier, who watched in approval as the passing of the torch unfolded at the end of Avengers: Endgame.

Where Winter Soldier Will Appear Next

You probably figured this one out: The Winter Soldier will be reteaming with Falcon in the upcoming The Falcon And The Winter Soldier series, and the story will find him facing off against a familiar foe: Captain America: Civil War's Helmut Zemo.

Spider-Man: When We’ll See Peter Parker Next

Everyone's favorite wall-crawler is only just starting his journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while there's a whole lot we don't know about his future, we do know that it will be crazy exciting.

Where We Saw Spider-Man Last

Thus far Spider-Man is the only character who has had a movie released in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Far From Home most definitely left him in a precarious position. He is now not only a wanted terrorist, but everyone knows his secret identity

Where Spider-Man Will Appear Next

We don't know what it will be called, but work on Spider-Man 3 is well under way, and the film will be in theaters at the end of 2021.

Ant-Man: When We’ll See Scott Lang Next

Shrinking, growing, and communicating with ants is one of the cooler power sets in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and combined with the charisma of Paul Rudd he is one of the most beloved characters in the franchise.

Where We Saw Ant-Man Last

If it weren't for Scott Lang's strange experience in the Quantum Realm, the Avengers may have never been able to beat Thanos – but he did, and they did. He's now living a happy life with Hope van Dyne (more on her in a second) and surely working to adjust to the fact that he missed five years of his daughter growing up.

Where Ant-Man Will Appear Next

While it's not yet on the release schedule, Marvel Studios is actively developing a sequel to Ant-Man And The Wasp, and it's in that film where we will presumably see the hero's return.

The Wasp: When We’ll See Hope van Dyne Next

You know what's even cooler than shrinking, growing, and communicating with ants? Doing all that plus also being able to fly and fire wrist-mounted stingers at enemies. The Wasp is a badass.

Where We Saw The Wasp Last

As mentioned, we last saw The Wasp in the aftermath of the battle with Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, and it seems her relationship with Scott is really unfazed given that they both didn't really exist during the five year time jump.

Where The Wasp Will Appear Next

It's not impossible that she will appear in an earlier film or show (same goes for every character on this list, really), but The Wasp is expected to next appear in the Ant-Man And The Wasp sequel.

Black Panther: When We’ll See T’Challa Next

R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman. You brought Black Panther to life like no other actor could, and the extent of the inspiration you provided will never be calcuable.

Where We Saw Black Panther Last

Following the fight against Thanos, which saw Black Panther as the first of the resurrected heroes to stride out on to the battlefield, Avengers: Endgame concluded his part of the story by having him to return to Wakanda to resume his rule as king.

Where Black Panther Will Appear Next

Following the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman, it is not known what the future holds for the character, but the untitled Black Panther sequel is still on the schedule for May 2022.

Shuri: When We’ll See The Wakandan Princess Next

Following the death of Tony Stark, Shuri is arguably now the smartest person on the planet, and now that Wakanda has opened itself up to the world, there's no telling what kind of impact her brilliance may make.

Where We Saw Shuri Last

While we didn't actually see Shuri turn to dust in Avengers: Infinity War, we did see her resurrected right alongside her brother in Avengers: Endgame, and she was back with him in Wakanda by the end of the film.

Where Shuri Will Appear Next

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but it is expected that Shuri's next live-action appearance will be in the Black Panther sequel.

Okoye: When We’ll See The Dora Milaje Captain Next

Any Marvel fan would be challenged to name a more fiercely loyal hero in the Cinematic Universe.

Where We Saw Okoye Last

Okoye, operating like any proper member of the Dora Milaje, fought side-by-side with her king in the battle against Thanos (while also working as a peacekeeper during the five years following The Blip.

Where Okoye Will Appear Next

Unless she makes a surprise cameo in another project, Okoye's next appearance is expected to be in the untitled Black Panther 2.

Captain Marvel: When We’ll See Carol Danvers Next

Carol Danvers has made one hell of a splash in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while we've primarily seen what she was up to in the 1990s, we're endlessly excited to see what she's up to in the 21st century.

Where We Saw Captain Marvel Last

Captain Marvel's final moment in Avengers: Endgame is at Tony Stark's funeral, so we don't actually know if she decided to stay on Earth after the battle with Thanos, or if she is heading back to the stars.

Where Captain Marvel Will Appear Next

At present, it's not entirely clear where Captain Marvel will pop up next – and that's because there are two distinct possibilities. The Captain Marvel sequel and the Disney+ Ms. Marvel series are both launching in 2022, and not only is it unknown if Carol Danvers will pop up in the latter, but it's unclear which will debut first in the calendar year.

Doctor Strange: When We’ll See Stephen Strange Next

As a master of the mystic arts, Doctor Strange is one of the most powerful weapons the world has against the forces of evil – both those from our dimension, and others.

Where We Saw Doctor Strange Last

Like the vast majority of Marvel characters, we last saw Doctor Strange fighting against Thanos' forces for the fate of the planet and then attending Tony Stark's funeral – and it's fair to assume that he returned to the Sanctum Sanctorum in New York following the conflict.

Where Doctor Strange Will Appear Next

It goes without saying that we will see the return of Doctor Strange in Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (on the calendar for March 2022), but that won't be the next time we catch up with the sorcerer. Instead, it's been confirmed that the character will next have a supporting role in Spider-Man: Far From Home's developing sequel, which is due out in December 2021.

Wong: When We’ll See The Master Of The Mystic Arts Next

Stephen Strange may have an aptitude for magic, but his experience is nothing compared to Wong's and we have only begun to see what he can do.

Where We Saw Wong Last

The last time we saw Wong was in the aftermath of him fighting the good fight in the showdown versus Thanos, and like Stephen Strange, we can assume that he returned to New York City after the conflict.

Where Wong Will Appear Next

While Doctor Strange has been confirmed for the untitled Spider-Man 3, it has not yet been confirmed if he will be joined in the blockbuster by Wong. If that doesn't happen, expect to see him again with a big supporting role in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness.

Valkyrie: When We’ll See The Asgardian King Next

Valkyrie ignored her duties for a long time, instead choosing to live as a drunk on the trash planet Sakaar, but now she is ready to fulfill her responsibility to Asgard in ways she surely never imagined.

Where We Saw Valkyrie Last

As the big header above notes, the last time we saw Valkyrie was when Thor gave her the proverbial keys to the car and anointed her as the new king of Asgard (which is now located in Norway instead of in outer space).

Where Valkyrie Will Appear Next

Assuming again that she doesn't have a cameo in one of the many projects set to come out between now and 2022, we next expect to see her return in Thor: Love And Thunder.

Star-Lord: When We’ll See Peter Quill Next

The wannabe space-trotting badass has been through some serious drama in recent years, but he's ready to continue cementing his intergalactic legacy.

Where We Saw Star-Lord Last

As noted earlier, Thor took off with the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of Avengers: Endgame, but the only person who wasn't super onboard with the idea was Peter Quill, who radiates extreme jealously when around the God of Thunder.

Where Star-Lord Will Appear Next

Given the passenger he has on board, it's possible that Star-Lord's next appearance will be in Thor: Love And Thunder, but if not we can expect his return in the unscheduled Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Gamora: When We’ll See The Deadliest Woman In The Galaxy Next

The Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe now is not the same character we got to know in Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but that should make her journey ahead that much more compelling.

Where We Saw Gamora Last

While most of the Guardians of the Galaxy reunited at the end of the battle with Thanos, Gamora – not really knowing any of them – made the choice to leave and go off to do her own thing.

Where Gamora Will Appear Next

There is a lot of speculation that the search for Gamora will be a notable plot point in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which is also where we expect to next see the character.

Drax: When We’ll See The Vengeful Alien Next

What does the future hold for Drax now that those he wish vengeance against are dead? We're excited to find out!

Where We Saw Drax Last

Though his wife and daughter are dead, Drax has found a new family with the Guardians of the Galaxy, and we last saw him with the group while they departed Earth with Thor in Avengers: Endgame.

Where Drax Will Appear Next

The safest money is bet on Drax next showing up in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but, as noted, we're not taking the possibility of a Thor: Love and Thunder cameo off the table.

Rocket: When We’ll See Raccoon-Like Hero Next

Rocket was left in a scary position with his adopted family all dying in Avengers: Infinity War, but he has grown quite a lot in the years since, and has tremendous potential going into the future.

Where We Saw Rocket Last

Thanks to the reversal of Thanos' snap, Rocket was reunited with the Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers: Endgame, and was with them at the very end of the movie as well (minus Gamora, obviously).

Where Rocket Will Appear Next

Expect Rocket to pop up next in Spider-Man 3, Black Widow, the She-Hulk series... just kidding. It will be either Thor: Love and Thunder or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Groot: When We’ll See The Sentient Tree Next

Groot is far and away the youngest established hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he's certainly made every moment of his life count.

Where We Saw Groot Last

We last left Groot as a teenager still putting up with his compatriots in the Guardians of the Galaxy, taking off from Earth for all varieties of outer space adventures.

Where Groot Will Appear Next

The answer to this question is Thor: Love And Thunder or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but more than anything we're just curious what the next stage of his evolution is going to be like.

Nebula: When We’ll See The Cyborg Killer Next

After years of being one of the bad guys, Nebula is definitely fighting on the side of good these days, and her future is bright now that it's Thanos-less.

Where We Saw Nebula Last

Rather than going off with the "new" Gamora, Nebula stuck around with the Guardians of the Galaxy for Tony Stark's funeral – which makes sense when you consider how they bonded in the opening of Avengers: Endgame.

Where Nebula Will Appear Next

Again, if the Guardians don't have any kind of role in Thor: Love And Thunder, Nebula's next appearance will most likely be in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Mantis: When We’ll See The Alien Empath Next

Considering how introverted she was when first introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Mantis has become an intense warrior, and her journey is still only just beginning.

Where We Saw Mantis Last

After being on the frontline charge against Thanos' army, she joined the other Guardians at Iron Man's funeral before departing Earth from Norway with Thor on-board.

Where Mantis Will Appear Next

Again: if it's not Thor: Love And Thunder, Mantis will next be in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Nick Fury: When We’ll See The Man Of Mystery Next

The former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. stuck to the shadows in the wake of the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age Of Ultron, but it looks like he will have a big role in a whole new realm in the coming years.

Where We Saw Nick Fury Last

While audiences thought they were watching Nick Fury team up with Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the truth revealed in a post-credits scene is that the real Fury had the Skrull Talos operate in his place while he is busy dealing with business in outerspace.

Where Nick Fury Will Appear Next

As of right now it has not been confirmed when Nick Fury will next appear, but we certainly hope it will be sooner rather than later.

As always, be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest news and updates about your favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe characters.

Earth's Mightest Heroes lost some of its key players following Avengers: Endgame, and while there's still plenty of heroes to protect the world and universe at large, it may take some time to find that definitive team lineup. Iron Man and Captain America made for fantastic leaders in Avengers past, and there's a real question of who in the MCU could hope to match their level of command in the future.

Who is the most fit to lead the next iteration of The Avengers? Here's some of the heroes I feel are most suited for the job, along with the reasons why it would make sense to have them in charge.

Falcon

Regardless of whether or not his upcoming Disney+ series will officially hand him the title of Captain America, Sam Wilson feels like the most natural choice to lead the Avengers. He's level-headed, has military experience and has been working alongside Steve Rogers ever since he was brought into the Avengers fold. He hardly needs to be called Captain America to earn the right to lead the team, though it certainly wouldn't hurt.

I don't see a lot of pushback to Falcon being made the Avengers' leader either. He's a friendly guy, on good terms with most everyone and a well-rounded fighter. He's also operated within a team dynamic before, which means he has a better idea of who to use and where they should be put during the big situations.

Captain Marvel

While I don't normally advocate for the strongest hero of any universe to be the leader of a hero team, Carol Danvers would be a great leader for the Avengers. She has experience around the galaxy, but she's also been a citizen of Earth as well. Plus, there are few people in the universe who can match her in power, which makes it hard to go against her authority.

Carol Danvers also feels like a more natural fit to lead the Avengers, as Spider-Man: Far From Home teased Nick Fury monitoring galactic threats from space. Danvers has some experience with fighting around the galaxy, though viewers still don't quite know the full extent of her journeys. We'll likely see more of that in Captain Marvel 2, which may give more evidence for why she's more suited for leadership.

War Machine

James Rhodes has been around the MCU since the beginning, and his record speaks for itself. Though he's spent most his tenure as a sidekick of sorts to Iron Man, Rhodey came into his own in Avengers: Endgame, and he could easily shoulder the immense responsibility it requires to be the Avengers' leader.

Despite his name, I'd argue War Machine is one of the most cautious members of the group. That is to to say, he thinks things through and won't be the type to jump into action before knowing what to do. Of course, his mortality and lack of powers may have something to do with that, and it may be hard for Rhodes to rein in other stronger heroes without a way to command their respect when times get hard.

Vision

At the time of this writing, VIsion is still dead and dismantled in the MCU, though it seems as though he will return via Scarlet Witch's upcoming Disney+ series. Depending on how that works out and whether Vision is more or less the same hero we knew before his exit in Avengers: Infinity War, he'd be a great choice for an Avengers leader.

Beyond the fact that he's about as well-rounded in terms of superpowers, Visions analytical mind and quick processing power would help determine the best scenarios for every situation. Plus, he has Scarlet Witch to back up whatever decision he makes for the team, and who's really going to try and go up against her?

Black Panther

T'Challa has led the nation of Wakanda (for a brief time anyway), so why wouldn't that translate to leading the Avengers into battle? Sure, as a product of the monarchy, T'Challa inherited the right to lead his people, but his years of grooming for the role and how he reclaimed the throne in Black Panther should confirm he's every bit capable of commanding a team of the world's strongest heroes.

Black Panther may not have the experience of being in the Avengers, or vast knowledge of the world of other candidates, but he also has a whole nation. Not to mention he also has access to a slew of Wakandan technology that will no doubt be useful in future adventures. When it comes to team leaders, one could do a lot worse than T'Challa.

Wasp

Though she's relatively new to the Avengers and MCU in general, there's some great potential in Hope Van Dyne as a leader of The Avengers. She's a great businesswoman, a genius and the daughter of Hank Pym. What more could you need?

Hope Van Dyne becoming the leader of the Avengers would be a nice Marvel Comics nod to Wasp's long leadership of the team in the comics, though it that continuity, it was the Janet Van Dyne Wasp. Even so, the MCU could create a similar arc for Hope in which she levels out the male to female ratio in the Avengers, and serves as a competent point person for even the most perilous of missions.

Doctor Strange

Stephen Strange is a strong magic user and one of the few people currently in the MCU who truly understands the mystical world, which makes him the obvious leader for adventures of that nature. Plus, his magic rings allow for fast travel, and that's just way too convenient for any leader to have at their disposal.

And while Doctor Strange can't quite fill the intellectual void left by Iron Man on the team, his extensive knowledge of magic and other things should help offset that by just a bit. Plus, there are still guys like Bruce Banner around to tinker and work on science-y things, so it's not like the Avengers absolutely needs a tech-savvy intellectual back at the front of this team.

These are my top picks for leaders of a future Marvel Avengers team, but maybe you feel differently. Share all thoughts in the poll and comments below, and continue to stick with CinemaBlend for all the latest happening in movies and television.

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Signing any kind of Hollywood contract can be nerve-racking, especially when it’s coming from Marvel Studios. Marvel is known for having its star sign long-term deals, which was the case for War Machine actor Don Cheadle. However, according to a recent story, it sounds like he had to make a fairly quick decision when it came to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Don Cheadle recently recounted the events that led him to sign on for the role of James Rhodes in the MCU, and it turns out he got the call from his agent during his child’s laser tag party. As expected, the Marvel deal included multiple films, but Cheadle had a tight window to give an answer:

Having to make such a big decision on short notice was tricky for Don Cheadle and, although Marvel (slightly) increased his time window, the decision didn’t become any easier. Fortunately for him, he was able to consult with someone who helped counsel him to his choice:

This story, which Don Cheadle told to AV Club, is certainly one for the ages. Although most of us have never been high-paid actors getting offers like that, we can all relate to having to make decisions under pressure. The same goes for the comfort of knowing you have someone to talk to before making choices.

Marvel contracts have become a hot topic among the fan community, as many are always curious to find out how many projects their favorite stars have left on their deals. The same goes for studio negotiations that affect the characters, like Marvel and Sony’s Spider-Man arrangement.

In terms of actually landing the role, Cheadle’s story is pretty hard to top, though Samuel L. Jackson’s journey to landing the role of Nick Fury is also pretty interesting. Simu Liu, who will play the title character in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, was also cast under unique circumstances.

Ultimately, it would seem Don Cheadle’s decision to join Marvel has paid off for both parties. Cheadle’s next MCU appearance is currently unknown, but there’s a good chance we haven’t seen the last of the armor-clad Air Force colonel.

It's a very relaxed time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as we're currently in the interim period between phases. But it wasn't long ago that the entire MCU was colliding in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The Russo Brothers were tasked with servicing that massive cast of characters, and there were plenty of ideas that fell to the wayside over the years. And now we've just learned of one scrapped War Machine sequence from Infinity War that would have deeply connected to the events of Captain America: Civil War.

Phase Three kicked off with Captain America: Civil War, which put the heroes of Earth at odds. Rhodes/War Machine was one of the victims of this conflict, as he was hit by Vision's blast mid-air and plummeted to the ground, resulting in his inability to walk unassisted. Infinity War originally could have focused on the mental scars from this incident, which would have seen Rhodey operating the War Machine armor remotely. Check out the concept art below.

Well, that's pretty epic. While it would have put Rhodes out of harms way for Infinity War's battle against Thanos' army, it definitely would have been cool to see War Machine engaged in battle in a different way. Alas, the PTSD storyline was cut completely, and Rhodes used cutting edge technology to use his legs, and get into the battle at Wakanda.

This image comes to us from artist Phil Saunders, and is sure to trigger FOMO for a few Marvel fans out there. The events of Captain America: Civil War were serious, as there was no happy ending. Half of the Avengers were imprisoned on The Raft before being broken out by Cap, resulting in the heroes becoming fugitives. As for Rhodes, it looked like his time as War Machine might have come to an end following a serious injury during the epic tarmac battle.

Giving War Machine PTSD in Avengers: Infinity War would have been a great way to further shape and deepen the character, even if it meant he was physically away from the action on Wakanda. Don Cheadle's signature Avenger is always good for a quip and some cool action sequences, but he hasn't been fleshed out as much as other heroes in the MCU. But that's likely due to ideas like this that fell to the wayside over the years.

It should be interesting to see how War Machine is utilized in the MCU moving forward. There's been no indication of when we might see the character again, although there are some interesting projects and possibilities in the works. Disney+'s myriad upcoming shows seem like a great choice, in particular Falcon and The Winter Soldier. We'll just have to see what Marvel Studios has in store when Phase Four kicks off with Black Widow.

Black Widow will hit theaters on May 1st. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine at this point, as the past decade and change of filmmaking have helped the studio consistently churn out successful blockbusters. One of the first challenges that comes with adapting comic book characters is design, as each movie finds its own visual language. Concept artists help to design options for superheroes' costumes and gear, and Avengers: Endgame was certainly no exception. And now we can see the jetpack that Don Cheadle's War Machine could have gotten in the blockbuster.

Avengers: Endgame was an absolutely massive project, with The Russo Brothers servicing a huge ensemble of actors, and putting them all into action during the final stand against Thanos. But the idea of the final battle being in space was tossed around, which is what inspired War Machine's scrapped jetpack. You can check out the concept art below.

As if War Machine's armor in the MCU wasn't cool enough, it turns out that he could have gotten a jetpack is the original plans for Avengers: Endgame came to fruition. But who knows? Maybe Rhodey could get an update whenever he returns to the cinematic universe.

These images come to us from concept artist Phil Saunders, who shared it on social media. Saunders has had a long history with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dating back too the very first Iron Man movie. Saunders has worked on a variety of MCU blockbusters throughout the years, with his next project being Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as Disney+'s WandaVision.

Given the stakes and scale of Avengers: Endgame, there were plenty of concepts, ideas, and filmed scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor. In the final version, the last battle against Thanos and his army occurred on Earth, in the ruins of the Avengers Compound. And after Rhodey, Rocket, and Hulk were saved by Ant-Man, War Machine made his grand entrance in the Iron Patriot suit. But he didn't get a brand new jetpack in the process.

One of the storytelling challenges that came with Avengers: Endgame was the handling of Josh Brolin's Thanos. The Russo Brothers immediately shocked audiences by having Thor decapitate the Mad Titan in the opening sequence. He was eventually brought back thanks to the Time Heist, but clearly there were a variety of ideas regarding how it might go down.

Marvel fans can re-watch Avengers: Endgame on Disney+. You can use this link for a free 7-day trial to the streaming service.

The final battle of Avengers: Endgame was absolutely epic, as every single hero assembled alongside The Ravagers, The Asgardians, and The Masters of the Mystical Arts. But I have to wonder how epic the iconic portal scene would be if it were actually in space. Maybe other characters would have been fitted with jetpacks, like the ones the Guardians of the Galaxy used in Vol. 2.

It should be fascinating to see how the MCU continues to expand in Phase Four and Five. Kevin Feige has teased that the cosmic stories would continue to be important, so perhaps we'll end up getting another epic space battle soon. At least we know it'll definitely happen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

The next installment in the MCU is Black Widow on May 1st. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

For as many MCU heroes as we said goodbye to in Avengers: Endgame, there are still plenty left standing. The question is how many of them will continue to pop up in future Marvel Cinematic Universe endeavors. If Don Cheadle has his way, then we haven’t seen the last of his War Machine. And he even has an idea of where they can take his character next.

Don Cheadle has played James "Rhodey" Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, since Iron Man 2. So he definitely has a good grasp of who the man is and what might be most interesting to explore as Marvel moves into Phase 4. At the TCA winter press tour, he offered his opinion as to whether there is a next chapter in War Machine’s story. He was a bit vague, but he did make it clear he’s open to reprising the role (via Comicbook.com):

Terrence Howard actually played Rhodey in the first Iron Man movie, which launched in MCU in 2008. Interesting that Don Cheadle would like to go back to something in that vein. We wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Rhodey get a bit more development. While his character may seem like a perfect candidate for one of Disney+ miniseries, Cheadle wasn’t ready to formally weigh in on that option:

If War Machine did get his own series, he’d be in good company. Thus far, Disney+ is planning to spoil MCU fans with content. There’s Loki with Tom Hiddleston; WandaVision with Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany; The Falcon and the Winter Soldier with Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan; plus upcoming series for new characters Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Ms. Marvel.

And there’s also plenty of opportunities for War Machine to appear in future MCU films. Though he’s played an essential role in saving the day (and the president) in several Avengers films, it still feels like there’s a lot more to explore where James Rhodes is concerned (especially since we now know that the Russo Brothers once flirted with the idea of making him Vice President in Avengers: Endgame). Though it would be interesting to see him in a world without Tony Stark, now that we know there’s a potential for Iron Man to return to the fold in some capacity, we’d love to see the two characters on screen together again.

In the meantime, Don Cheadle is keeping busy. He’s appearing in Netflix’s Ratched, based on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. And he’ll also star alongside Lebron James in Space Jam 2, due to hit theaters in 2021.

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Avengers: Endgame brought all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s starring heroes together for an epic team-up years in the making, but that doesn’t mean all of these protagonists got significant screen time with one another. In the case of Captain Marvel and War Machine, we barely saw them interact outside of exchanging a few lines at the beginning of the movie, but many MCU fans are wanting Carol Danvers and James “Rhodey” Rhodes to have a proper team-up together after seeing a fun social media interaction.

It started when Don Cheadle posted a picture on Twitter of him and Brie Larson seated next to each other and rocking the same pose. Cheadle tagged Larson in the post and asked “Why you be copying … ?”, leading Larson to respond:

Anyone else suddenly start hearing “I Wan’na Be Like You” from The Jungle Book in their heads? It’s like the old saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, hence the reason why Brie Larson posed the same way as Don Cheadle in that photo… or maybe it was really just a happy accident. Regardless, this interaction resulted in fans wanting Captain Marvel and War Machine to go on an MCU adventure together, especially considering all the time their comic book counterparts have spent with one another. For example:

And while there wasn’t a hint of romance between Captain Marvel and War Machine in Avengers: Endgame, others fans noted how the two characters were an item in the comics earlier this decade, as seen below.

It’s unclear if Captain Marvel and War Machine’s paths will cross again in the MCU, let alone if those two will become a couple. Still, as you can tell by looking through the responses to Brie Larson’s response, many people would like to see these two share more screen time, and something tells me that Larson and Don Cheadle would be game for that.

Quite frankly though, both Captain Marvel and War Machine’s MCU futures are shrouded in mystery. Carol Danvers at least has the benefit of having another cinematic appearance lined up, as Captain Marvel 2 was announced to be in development at the last San Diego Comic-Con. However, as of last October, Brie Larson did not know when the sequel would begin filming.

As for War Machine, we don’t even know if we’ll see Don Cheadle’s character again. Just like with Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, there’s been no official word on what’s next for Rhodey, be it showing up in another movie (getting his own looks like it’s off the table) or starring in his own Disney+ series. The latter seems like the more likelier option given how packed the movie slate is becoming for the first half of the 2020s, but with seven Marvel Disney+ shows already filming or in the works, it’s hard to say if War Machine will ever get a spotlight for himself on the streaming service (which is offering a free seven-day trial).

One easy way to pair Captain Marvel and War Machine together is to just throw the latter into Captain Marvel 2. Following in the footsteps of movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok, Carol Danvers’ next movie could provide a smaller and more self-contained team-up to MCU fans. Just because his best friend, Tony Stark, is dead doesn’t mean that Rhodey has hung up his armor, and it would be interesting to see him get involved with whatever cosmic craziness Carol is dealing with and have them become closer in the process.

Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for any major updates concerning what’s happening with Captain Marvel and/or War Machine in the MCU. For now, be sure to scan through our Marvel movies guide to learn what’s coming up in Phase 4 and beyond.

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are relatively divided over Iron Man 2, but most can agree on at least one thing: the action is pretty damn good. Fans of Samurai Jack were probably the first to notice similarities to the cult animated series in the choreography.

That is because the creator Samurai Jack and director of Star Wars: Clone Wars on Cartoon Network, Genndy Tartakovsky, was hand-picked by director Jon Favreau to help contribute to storyboarding action sequences for Iron Man 2. Bet you didn’t know that, did you? (Bonus points if you did already know.)

It turned out to be an epic team-up that led to some of the most beautifully crafted, albeit brief, action sequences in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How did this collaboration come to be?

How Genndy Tartakovsky Contributed To Iron Man 2

In 2008, Samurai Jack and Star Wars: The Clone Wars had been off the air for years when Genndy Tartakovsky was looking for work at Marvel, offering to work on animated programming for the studio, when the conversation switched the Jon Favreau. He took their suggestion to call the Iron Man director, who happened to be a big fan of his work, and the two went to lunch.

In an interview with Ain’t It Cool News, Jon Favreau recalled offering the live action action project, Iron Man 2, to Genndy Tartakovsky to work as a storyboarder for the action sequences. Favreau also cited what attracted him to the animator’s work, stating:

Following his initial meeting with Jon Favreau, Genndy Tartakovsky and his team headed into the production of Iron Man 2. They collaborated on crafting action sequences in hopes of being a step up from the original film, most notably during the climactic moment featuring Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) against an army of robotic drones.

The Genndy Tartakovsky Influence On Iron Man 2

The drones battle in Iron Man 2 is not only one of the most exhilarating moments of the film. It is a showcase of Genndy Tartakovsky’s greatest skills as an action choreographer and clearly pays homage to his most acclaimed work in animation. See for yourself in this clip:

Notice how the scene slowly builds up to the action as the drones circle around Iron Man and War Machine. The drones fly down one-by-one, while our heroes stand back-to-back in anticipation.

As soon as the brief music composition signals the escalating tension, the score is broken by the sound of Iron Man and War Machine’s face masks closing. From that moment on, the only sounds used to drive the rhythm of the scene are metal-on-metal combat and bullets flying.

The camera stays at a singular point of view, using Iron Man and War Machine as the central focal point for a good chunk of the sequence. Even when a cut is made, it is never unclear what is taking place as each new camera angle very careful follows the momentum of the action.

Each attack on the drones we see is unique to the last move our heroes make. Never does a single shot feel repeated throughout the sequence.

You put this all together and you have yourself a classic Genndy Tartakovsky action piece and the most memorable sequence from Iron Man 2. Now, if he could be convinced to get Iron Man and Samurai Jack to face off against each other...

Avengers: Endgame has been in theaters for three weekends, but the blockbuster is still on everyone's lips. The Russo Brothers crammed a ton of exciting twist and characters into the massive blockbuster, essentially ending the narrative that began with Iron Man. Given the state of the MCU and it's unknown future, there's been some reflection on the past 22 movies and decade of filmmaking.

James Rhodes is a character that debuted back in Iron Man, although he was originally played by Terrence Howard. Don Cheadle ended up taking on the role starting with Iron Man 2, which saw Rhodey become the superheroic War Machine. One Twitter user recently asked Cheadle why his character picked up piloting armor so much easier than Tony Stark, and he said:

Tony Stark may have been the first Marvel hero to armor up and save the day, but that doesn't mean it necessarily came easy to him. Iron Man showed RDJ struggle with the suit's abilities, especially when it came to flying. Meanwhile, Rhodey jumped in with relative ease.

Don Cheadle's Tweet shows how methodically the 54 year-old actor has thought out his long tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While fans seem eager to find plot holes or potential goofs in the shared universe, Cheadle knows exactly why his signature Avenger was able to adjust to wearing Tony's suit so quickly. It all has to do with his piloting background, and Tony's programming in making each suit intuitive to its user.

War Machine is one of the first heroes to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and has remained relevant presence in the MCU since taking on the mantle. In addition to his appearances in Iron Man 3 and Avengers: Age of Ultron, Rhodey had a particularly very strong outing in Phase Three.

He was an influential voice in the drafting of the Sakovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War, taking Tony Stark's side and urging the other Avengers to follow suit. He eventually participated in the tarmac battle, and sustained a major injury in the process. He now bares the physical scars from that scuffle, in addition to feelings of guilt.

War Machine provided both comedy and action in Avengers: Infinity War, helping to defend Wakanda from Thanos' forces in the film's third act. While unable to stop the Mad Titan himself, Rhodey got lucky and managed to survive Thanos' finger snap of death. He's go a meaty role in Endgame as a result, as the spotlight focuses on the survivors and their shared grief.

Related: What Marvel’s War Machine Movie Would Have Been About, According To Don Cheadle

It should be interesting to see what comes next for War Machine. The future of the MCU is largely a mystery-- at least until Spider-Man: Far From Home arrives and completes Phase Three. But considering which characters perished in Endgame, it might be a time for Rhodey to have an even bigger presence in the shared universe.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Avengers: Endgame has been in theaters for a week, but the conversation regarding the film's contents have only just begun. The Russo Brothers crafted an extremely ambitious blockbuster, which wrapped up the Infinity Saga and even provided a few teases for what's coming next. But with the absence of a credits scene, most of Phase Four is a giant mystery.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Marvel's future is if/when the characters previously owned by 20th Century Fox will be adopted into the massive shared universe. This is perhaps the most relevant to Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool franchise, as Disney has expressed its interest in continuing the R-rated romp. Don Cheadle has played War Machine in the MCU since Iron Man 2, and recently expressed hope that Wade Wilson joins The Avengers, saying:

You tell 'em, Rhodes. The Merc with a Mouth has been noticeably absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and both the fans and cast themselves would love to welcome Deadpool to the fold in a future installment.

Don Cheadle's comments to Variety echo what Marvel fans have been saying since Deadpool first hit theaters in 2016. Ryan Reynolds played the fourth-wall-breaking antihero masterfully, and the character became extremely popular to casual fans overnight. And considering how much the title character references the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the idea of him assembling with Earth's Mightiest Heroes hasn't been far from moviegoers' minds.

And according to Don Cheadle, that also includes the members of the MCU. While Disney's plans for Deadpool and The Avengers is unclear at the moment, it seems like a logical time to bring Wade Wilson into the fold. Endgame marked the end of the OG Marvel actors' contracts, so it's unclear if we'll see the likes of Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man again in the future. As such, Marvel Studios may want to bring new talent to help fill in the ranks.

Enter Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool. Bringing Wade Wilson into the MCU would skip the pesky origin story or first introduction, with cinephiles instead following a fully formed character. The Deadpool franchise has made a ton of money at the box office, so even casual moviegoers will have some understanding of the foul mouthed anti-hero. And from all the references, it's clear that Deadpool knows the MCU's denizens well.

Related: Chris Hemsworth Welcomed Deadpool To The MCU In A Great Way

For now, we'll just have to wait and see if/when Deadpool joins the MCU. And he's not the only formerly owned Fox property, as the Fantastic Four and X-Men also have the potential to be adapted by Marvel Studios.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, and making a ton of money at the box office. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

When people hear the name Topher Grace, they probably think of That '70s Show. That's not a bad thing, necessarily, although remembering the big show he did over a decade ago is a bit of a disservice to the projects he's been part of in Hollywood since.

For those who can't readily think of all those post-Eric Foreman career moves, here's some of the major appearances he's had in both television and film since the Fox series came to an end. (Though it's worth mentioning that he is down for a revival of That '70s Show at some point.)

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

This is probably the second project that comes to mind when people think of Topher Grace, and bears some responsibility for why he left That '70s Show ahead of its final season. Unfortunately, Spider-Man 3 got less acclaim than the first two movies in the Sam Raimi trilogy, and Grace's Eddie Brock didn't get much praise (even from himself). Neither did Tom Hardy's Brock, although Grace didn't get the luxury of a sequel like he did.

The Simpsons (2008)

Much like many celebrities before and after him, Topher Grace has done a guest spot on The Simpsons. This episode is particularly good, however, as "The DeBarted" introduces Topher Grace's Donny in a story similar to The Departed. Donny is a rat for Principal Skinner and informs on Bart's pranks in exchange for rewards. Bart inevitably finds out, and together, they turn the tables and create an ending almost as iconic as the movie it's based on.

Valentine's Day (2010)

On paper, Valentine's Day seems as though it was constructed to be an American version of Love, Actually. While the film knocked it out of the part in casting a bunch of big names and creating a story that intertwines stories within each other, it failed in execution. Topher Grace is just one of the many notable names in this largely forgettable film, which remains the first and one of few feature films to feature Taylor Swift.

Predators (2010)

It's not often one can say a role in the Predator franchise is a highlight in an actor's career, but Topher Grace can say that. The actor was leery to take a role in Predators for that reason, but upon reading the script, he told Bloody Disgusting he likened it to the Aliens of the Predator movies. His instincts weren't off, and while it wasn't given incredible reviews, it remains the second highest-acclaimed film of the franchise to date.

Take Me Home Tonight (2011)

Topher Grace got his big break doing a show about the '70s, so why not take a crack at the '80s? Grace plays a grad student thinking about what he's going to do with his life which, as is the case in most movies, means he's about to go on an epic adventure. He does just that in a movie that didn't win a lot of praise, but may be enjoyed by fans of '80s movies.

Interstellar (2014)

Topher Grace had a smaller, but notable role in Interstellar, as he played Murph's friend Getty. The two share a kiss at one point in the film, and while that's not a major plot point of the film, it is a notable scene that elevates the minor character somewhat. That said, can anyone really consider a role in a Christopher Nolan film a small role?

American Ultra (2015)

Years after Spider-Man 3, Topher Grace got another chance to play the villain in a role opposite Jesse Eisenberg in the action-packed American Ultra. For a movie where it feels like everyone is in a role they're not accustomed to, Grace does well as the baddie with a performance that can actually make one's blood boil while watching. To be honest, if he had this same energy when he played Venom, the movie might've turned out better.

Drunk History (2015)

Lots of actors have done Drunk History, but that doesn't make Topher Grace's appearance on the Comedy Central series any less noteworthy. Grace appeared as Milton Bradley in the "Games" episode, in a performance that detailed the famed game-maker's early exploits. It may not be the most memorable celebrity appearance on Drunk History, but it doesn't have to be to get a laugh from anyone who enjoys good comedy.

Workaholics (2017)

Topher Grace found his way into Workaholics in the show's final season and portrayed the tatted-up drug dealer Noel. Part of the humor is just how different Grace looks in the role, but he also has a good bit where Ders is trying to sexually dominate him with a golf ball trick that is as funny as it probably was a choking hazard. Seriously, does anyone else get nervous he's going to swallow one of those while watching?

War Machine (2017)

Brad Pitt's Netflix film War Machine features Topher Grace in a movie that is based off the non-fiction work The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan. Grace plays a former lobbyist who becomes Brad Pitt's General Glen McMahon's civilian media adviser. While critics have complained about the general execution of the story, the talent and acting of the cast make this one worth checking out.

Get Shorty (2017)

Those who have Epix may have noticed Topher Grace in Get Shorty as Tyler Mathis. The actor only had a couple episodes he appeared in for Season 1, and unfortunately wasn't on board back when the series returned for Season 2 in 2018. There's been no word on whether or not he'll ever return, but we got our hopes up because we're loving that beard and long-haired look.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

One of the biggest roles Topher Grace has taken in recent years, BlacKkKlansman puts the actor in the shoes of former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke. That's a rough role to take, and Grace even received a threatening phone call following taking on the role. Despite that, he played the part and, in the process, gave one of the best big screen performances of his career.

Love, Death & Robots (2019)

Netflix subscribers can enjoy Topher Grace on one of its most-bizarre original series to date, Love, Death & Robots. The short features a couple who discover a lost civilization inside of their ice box. It's a short watch, and while the acting is goofy, it fits within the frame of the short given all that's going on. This is one to put on while figuring out what to binge for the rest of the night.

Do you have a favorite performance from this list that other Topher Grace fans should check out? Feel free to share in the comments below, and give a listen to Grace's excellent new podcast called Minor Adventures with Topher Grace, which recently had That 70s Show co-star Wilmer Valderrama as a guest. Check out CinemaBlend for all the latest news on the hottest movies and television shows.

If you watched that full Avengers: Endgame scene with the big Thanos plan, you probably noticed a few things: 1) Thor likes to pop bread rolls like candy, and 2) James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine was not immediately sold on "new girl" Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel.

Rhodey got to be the one to ask Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) the pressing question of where the hell she's been this whole time. Don Cheadle said his character is certainly wary of this stranger comin' in hot with bold plans:

Fair enough. As Don Cheadle suggested to EW, it would be weird if they just immediately started following this stranger without testing her mettle. But we know Captain Marvel is up to that challenge, and she's already been shown in other trailer shots to be part of the team that heads out to get the Thanos job done.

Here's how that sneak peek scene played out, showing the initial tension in the room between Rhodey -- although he was probably speaking for all of them -- and Carol:

That's when Thor took a bread break and tested Carol, in his way, ultimately saying of her: "I like this one."

Captain Marvel has a healthy ego, but no ego is healthier than Thor's, so it should be interesting to see them together in more scenes. She fed their egos with her answer, basically saying this planet was already covered so they didn't need her help -- until now.

In other trailer shots, Rhodey is also shown heading off into space -- apparently for the first time -- with Captain Marvel and the surviving Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite appearing to have a big presence in the movie, Don Cheadle doesn't seem to know too much more than The Rest Of Us about how Avengers: Endgame will play out. At least, that's what he told EW:

Don Cheadle said "they" -- presumably directors Joe and Anthony Russo -- would tell them this sequence would fold into that one, but they may change it and get rid of this whole other sequence. So the final three hour-plus runtime may include some surprises for the actors themselves, if certain scenes did or did not make the final cut.

We know the Russos have embraced misdirection in trailers, including scenes that will not be in the final cut of the movie, like that infamous running shot that never happened on screen in Avengers: Infinity War.

So expect just about anything when Avengers 4 opens April 26. I'm guessing you have tickets by now, since the movie has broken every kind of pre-sales record. Here's everything we know so far about Endgame, which is just one of many movies worth following through our 2019 movie release schedule.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a massive franchise. Marvel Studios revolutionized serialized storytelling, and introduced a massive pool of iconic characters. Avengers: Endgame will mark the 22nd installment in the property, but there are a few movies that never came to fruition over the last decade of filmmaking. No, I'm not talking about the ill-fated Inhumans flick, but a War Machine movie starring Don Cheadle.

Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay for Black Panther, but was originally tasked with penning an Iron Man spinoff for War Machine. Ultimately it got scrapped, but now we've got an idea regarding what the movie could have been. Don Cheadle himself recently opened up about the possible blockbuster, saying:

Does anyone else have some serious FOMO right now? Because the War Machine movie sounds like an interesting an unique blockbuster for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Furthermore, it seems to tease the conflict that would eventually split the heroes in Captain America: Civil War. Do superheroes have the ability to work outside the law?

Don Cheadle's comments to EW are sure to illicit a mix of emotions from fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On one hand, it's exciting to get a glimpse into the development process of Marvel Studios, and see how things are constantly in motion. But considering how cool Cheadle's description of the doomed project is, there are no doubt cinephiles who are bummed War Machine's spinoff never happened.

War Machine has had an interesting tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as a recurring supporting character alongside others like Black Widow and Falcon. Rhodes actually debuted back in 2007 with Iron Man, played by Terrence Howard. Howard ultimately dropped out after having fiscal differences with the studio, and Cheadler replaced him in Iron Man 2, which was also the movie where Rhodey became War Machine for the very first time.

According to earlier reports, this was when a War Machine was tossed around at the studio. Joe Robert Cole explained this process over a year ago, stating Iron Man 3 as the reason why the movie never got the green lit. As he told it:

Talk about a bummer. While fans would no doubt have loved to see War Machine take the spotlight in his own solo movie, he never really got the chance. Instead, he'd reprise his role in Iron Man 3, Captain America: Civil War, as well as the Avengers movies.

War Machine ultimately survived Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War, and he'll presumably have a meaty role with the rest of the survivors in Endgame.

You can catch him return to theaters when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently on a precipice, with just a few months left before Phase Three concludes with Avengers: Endgame. Moviegoers have waited a year to find out what happened after Infinity War, where Josh Brolin's Thanos succeeded in accruing the Infinity Stones and wiping out half the galaxy with the snap of his big purple finger. Fans and the surviving heroes were left mouth agape as the MCU was changed forever, and countless character turned to dust before our eyes.

The original Avengers were somehow spared from The Snap, alongside characters like Nebula, Rocket, and War Machine. The latter will once again be played by Don Cheadle, and is briefly seen during the first trailers for Endgame. Now it looks like War Machine may be getting his own Hulkbuster armor, as shown in leaked images of Endgame's Lego sets. Check it out below.

Is anybody else geeking out right now? With Tony Stark currently stranded in space, it looks like Rhodes is going to get a major upgrade to his tech, and take on a massive Hulkbuster suit previously worn by both Tony and Bruce Banner.

The good guys lost a great number of heroes during Thanos' finger snap of death (aka The Decimation), so the surviving Avengers are going to need all the help they can get in order to fight the Mad Titan and hopefully reverse its affects. While Captain Marvel and Ant-Man will no doubt play a major role in Avengers: Endgame, it looks like War Machine has his own way to stepping up to the plate. And if the leaked Lego designs (via Reddit) are to be believed, Rhodes is getting some serious firepower in The Russo Brothers' upcoming blockbuster.

It should be fascinating to see how each of the surviving heroes factor into the narrative of Avengers: Endgame. While Thanos believed in the snap because its victims were randomly selected, The Russo Brothers no doubt have a very specific plan for each of the characters who didn't turn to dust before our eyes. With Tony currently stranded in space with Nebula, perhaps War Machine will step up to the plate as the primary mechanized Avenger. Although rumors also indicate that Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts will be suiting up in armor of her own.

If Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony spends most of Endgame separate from the rest of the surviving Avengers, one has to wonder how War Machine's possible Hulkbuster armor will be constructed. It's possible that Tony already had it made, as the genius playboy billionaire philanthropist has been planning ahead since the Battle of New York in The Avengers. Or perhaps Rhodes and Pepper will unite to craft this new armor, and give Don Cheadle's signature Marvel character some extra firepower in the battle to come.

Alas, only time will tell how it all shake out. Marvel Studios is keeping its cards close to the chest for Endgame, with the first trailers only offering brief glimpses of the post-snap world. This includes a shot of Rhodes and Paul Rudd's Scott Lang gearing up for an impending battle.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

With no Marvel Studios movies officially dated beyond summer 2019, there is no greater question mark in the franchise world than what audiences should expect from Joe and Anthony Russo's untitled Avengers 4. As the blockbuster follow-up to 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, there are extreme expectations regarding the various heroes and villains who show up in the capstone project, let alone what to expect the plot to do with all of them. Infinity War gave us our first inkling of what's in store for Avengers 4 thanks to that shocking ending, but Marvel Studios is staying more tight-lipped than usual about story details. Fortunately, the news cycle has provided us some good insight.

Combing the internet for information, we've dug up every confirmation we could find regarding the cast list for Avengers 4 -- including quotes from stars and filmmakers, set photos and more. We'll continue to update this feature as we get closer to the blockbuster's release, but for now read on to find out which characters have been confirmed for the movie so far.

Tony Stark/Iron Man

It's hard to imagine what the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be like without Robert Downey Jr., as the man has served as the face of the insanely popular franchise for about a full decade. As such, it would have been crazy to leave his legendary take on Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man out of the Avengers 4 activities -- and that's definitely a mistake that Marvel will be avoiding. Page Six has posted images of Downey Jr. on the set of the Joe and Anthony Russo-directed blockbuster, seemingly confirming it as the actor's 10th Marvel Studios film. Since he was one of the main characters to survive Avengers: Infinity War, it would have been weird for him not to have shown up.

James 'Rhodey' Rhodes/War Machine

Don Cheadle's James 'Rhodey' Rhodes a.k.a. War Machine hasn't been around since the beginning beginning, as the part was notably played by Terrence Howard in Jon Favreau's original Iron Man -- but he has been a key part of the franchise ever since Iron Man 2 in 2010. The character went through a big shakeup during the events of Captain America: Civil War, having been paralyzed from the waist down, but clearly that's not going to keep him down, as evidenced in Avengers: Infinity War. Comments from Gwyneth Paltrow to The Hollywood Reporter reveal that Cheadle has been hard at work on the Avengers 4 set, though obviously we don't really know what to expect from his arc.

Pepper Potts

In case you didn't get the hint from the last section, Gwyneth Paltrow has also confirmed her own involvement in Avengers 4, meaning that we will be seeing the return of Pepper Potts. The character's relationship with Tony Stark over the years has seemingly never been on fully stable ground, but at the very least things were good when we last saw her. The events of Captain America: Civil War saw Pepper and Tony going through a bit of a separation, but Spider-Man: Homecoming showed that they were able to reconcile and get back together. Pepper only popped up briefly in Avengers: Infinity War, but she'll be back for Avengers 4 with presumably a bigger role, as it appears she'll be getting her own special suit of armor.

Happy Hogan

Tony Stark's bodyguard was nowhere to be seen in Avengers: Infinity War (though that wasn't originally the plan), but all signs point to him showing up in Avengers 4, meaning he survived the Thanos snap. If Avengers 4 ends up being Tony Stark's last MCU appearance, It would be strange for Rhodey and Pepper to show up, but not Happy. Those two have been tight for at least two decades, and while Happy doesn't always agree with his boss on things, he still cares about Tony's wellbeing. So it'll be good to have him around, and while Tony's future post-Avengers 4 is still up in the air, it appears that Happy will continue on, as Jon Favreau was spotted on the Spider-Man: Far From Home set.

Steve Rogers/Captain America

As the star of arguably the strongest trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Evans has been a pillar of the franchise playing Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America, and keeping him out of the action in Avengers 4 would be as misguided as ditching Robert Downey Jr. Captain America is obviously an immensely important hero for the world to have, as he is the leader and plan-maker for The Avengers, and Evans has said that he will definitely be back for the third sequel -- even though he actually had to extend his Marvel contract to do it. Steve made it out of Avengers: Infinity War intact, and he'll be back in action with a clean-shaven face and wearing a traditional Captain America costume in Avengers 4. Whether he dies in that movie or makes it out alive, that remains to be seen, and Evans is being careful not to spoil his character's fate for fans.

Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier

The first post-credits scene for Captain America: Civil War featured Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes a.k.a. The Winter Soldier being cryogenically frozen -- but we all knew that he wasn't going to be staying on ice for too long. The reformed Hydra brainwashed assassin was back fighting alongside Wakandan warriors in Avengers: Infinity War, and the actor directly confirmed to CinemaBlend that he will be back for Avengers 4 as well. That said, like many of the characters coming up, Bucky turned to dust at the end of Infinity War, so who knows how he and those other unlucky individuals will be brought back.

Scott Lang/Ant-Man

Of all the principal cast members in Avengers 4, Paul Rudd had one of the trickiest schedules, as he filmed the 2019 blockbuster at the same time as Ant-Man And The Wasp, which shared facilities at Pinewood Atlanta. A video from the set of the untitled blockbuster urging donations for Hurricane Harvey confirmed that the actor is pulling double-duty, and given that Rudd is one of the most charismatic Marvel stars, this is definitely great news. Scott sat out the events of Avengers: Infinity War, but Ant-Man and the Wasp's mid-credits scene showed him getting trapped in the Quantum Realm right as Thanos erased half of all life in the universe. While we don't know yet exactly how he'll escape this dimension (the best guess is he'll enter a time vortex), Scott eventually will find his way back to Earth and participate in the final Phase 3 film. And given his knowledge of the Quantum Realm, he could end up being the key to victory.

Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp

All that stuff we were just saying about Paul Rudd's Ant-Man? That goes for Evangeline Lilly's Hope van Dyne a.k.a. The Wasp as well. She appeared in the same Hurricane Harvey relief video, wearing her new superhero gear, confirming she will be in Avengers 4. But unlike Scott Lang, Hope won't initially be around in the movie, as she, Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne were erased from existence in Ant-Man and the Wasp's mid-credits scene. Somehow she and her mom and dad will be reconstituted during Avengers 4, but as far as the movie's main action goes, we probably shouldn't expect her to buzz in as Wasp until late in the game.

Bruce Banner/Hulk

Thanks to character rights being caught up in an old deal with Universal Pictures, Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner a.k.a. The Hulk hasn't had nearly as many Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances as many of his fellow Avengers, , but that's been changing in a big way. Thor: Ragnarok kicked off a "special trilogy" for the Green Goliath, which took a strange turn in Avengers: Infinity War. Because after getting his ass kicked by Thanos, Bruce Banner's monstrous half refused to come out for the rest of the movie, requiring Banner to join the battle wearing Tony Stark's Hulkbuster armor. Bruce survived Infinity War, but officially, we have no idea what's in store for him or Hulk. However, Avengers 4 concept art leaked showing Hulk back and wearing a purple bodysuit as he charges into battle with his teammates. It's hard to tell what this means for the big picture, but some fans are speculating that Banner and Hulk will merge into one intelligent, superstrong individual.

Vision

Fans of Paul Bettany's Vision have been fretting about the life of the character pretty much since his introduction in Joss Whedon's Avengers: Age of Ultron, and there's actually a pretty good reason: his consciousness was sparked to life by the Mind Stone -- which resides in the middle of his forehead -- and Thanos is going to need that shiny yellow ingot if he's going to complete his Infinity Gauntlet. As such, we were dreading a scene where the Mad Titan rips the stone from the android's head, and sure enough, that's exactly what happened. Granted, Scarlet Witch succeeded in destroying the Mind Stone before Thanos arrived, but with the Time Stone in his Gauntlet, the Mad Titan was easily able to wind back time, undo her actions and kill Vision for the Mind Stone. Bettany let reporters know that he will be involved with the production of Avengers 4, so Vision will return to life. Maybe the Mind Stone will be seized back from Thanos and put back in Vision's head, or maybe a different power source will be used to reanimate the android.

Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow is a character we've grown to love more and more with every appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only is her fighting style endlessly fun to watch, but her loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. and grey-colored ethics have also made her a wonderful foil to both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers over the years. Hence, we're extremely excited that she will be keeping the fight going in Avengers 4, as set photos have confirmed the character's return (and apparently she'll be sporting a beautiful new tattoo on her back).

Clint Barton/Hawkeye

After a somewhat rocky start because of his limited role in The Avengers, Jeremy Renner has become an important part of the Marvel family, and Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye has become a legitimately exciting on-screen presence. However, because of the house arrest deal he set up with the U.S. government following his incarceration in Captain America: Civil War, Hawkeye didn't appear in Avengers: Infinity War. Not to worry though, he'll finally be back for Avengers 4, as Jeremy Renner has made abundantly clear through his social media posts. Unfortunately, there's speculation that the reason Clint has picked the bow and arrows back up is because his family was among the unlucky half erased from the universe.

Peter Parker/Spider-Man

As a way of keeping the aftermath of The Avengers: Infinity War and The Avengers 4 on lockdown, Marvel Studios has kept a tight lid on most "Phase 4" projects -- but one movie we definitely know is coming is the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home. So even though we watched Peter Parker turn to dust in Tony Stark's arms at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, we know with absolute certainty that Peter will return to the land of the living during Avengers 4. And for those of you who counter that Far From Home could be a prequel to Infinity War, it's already been noted that the sequel picks up minutes after Avengers 4.

Nick Fury

It has been confirmed that Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury will have a key role to play in Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's developing Captain Marvel movie, and while initially that led to belief that he'd be sitting out Avengers: Infinity War, both he and Cobie Smulders; Maria Hill made a last-minute appearance in the movie's mid-credits scene. Granted, both of them were erased from existence, though before he faded, Fury successfully transmitted a signal from a pager displaying the Captain Marvel insignia. There were already hints that Fury would appear in Avengers 4, and given how Infinity War ended, it's safe to assume that he'll be brought back.

Peter Quill/Star-Lord

Chris Pratt spent years earning a fanbase playing Andy on Parks and Recreation and small parts in movies like Moneyball and Her, but playing Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord has completely changed his career. He is now unquestionably one of the most popular leading men in Hollywood, and has a nice long future ahead of him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a result -- including a role in Avengers 4. Despite most of the Guardians, including Star-Lord, disappearing at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, by the end of Avengers 4, each of those members (with one possible exception, more on that in a bit) are expected to be be made whole again. From there, they'll be ready to go for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, albeit without James Gunn leading the charge.

Rocket

Rocket, brought to life by Sean Gunn and voiced by Bradley Cooper, has what looks like a very bright future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as there are not only the aforementioned Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 plans, but also plenty of buzz about a possible spin-off for the character. Rocket's also quite lucky, as he was one of only two Guardians of the Galaxy members to survive Avengers: Infinity War. The good news is he'll be thrust back into the fray for Avengers 4, and I can't blame him, as Rocket will almost certainly do whatever is required to undo what happened to his family.

Gamora

Remember that Hurricane Harvey relief video mentioned earlier? It wasn't just Ant-Man and The Wasp who made appearances, but also the deadliest woman in the galaxy. Zoe Saldana is seen wearing her beautiful green makeup in the clip, which combined with the timing is evidence enough of he involvement in Avengers 4. Here's where things get tricky: Thanos killed Gamora so he could obtain the Soul Stone. So because her death came about before the Thanos snap, does that mean if that genocidal event is reversed, she'll also be brought back? Or will she remain dead, and Saldana is playing the character in flashbacks?

Drax

Dave Bautista has now spent years as the secret weapon of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, providing plenty of big laughs, but soon we will be seeing him take his game to Earth. It has been long known that he will be playing a key role in Avengers: Infinity War, but he will be bringing his game to Avengers 4 as well. So yeah, like has already been said many times with the other casualties of Infinity War, expect Drax to be resurrected during Avengers 4.

Nebula

A total of four Marvel actors appeared in the on-set Hurricane Harvey relief video, and in case you've lost count we're already discussed Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, and Zoe Saldana. The final member of that little outfit is Karen Gillan, confirming that we will see more of the formidable Nebula in Avengers 4. Nebula was the only other Guardian to survive Avengers: Infinity War, and you can bet that her desire to kill Thanos is stronger than ever now that her "sister" Gamora and half of all life in the universe is dead/gone. Expect Nebula to be a key player in the final act of the story.

Mantis

Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Ego the Living Planet's servant, Mantis rebelled against her master and became the newest regular member of the Guardians. Unfortunately, like most of her teammates, she was turned to dust by Thanos at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, thus cutting short her time to "kick names and take ass." Fear not, though, we'll be reunited with Mantis soon enough, as long before Infinity War came out, Pom Klementieff informed her Facebook followers that she was back on set for the Avengers 4 portion of the shoot.

Black Panther

It's safe to say that Black Panther was the MCU's 2018 MVP. First T'Challa led his own solo movie, which was met with critical, commercial and cultural acclaim, and then he returned a few months later for Avengers: Infinity War to lead Wakanda's warriors into battle alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes against the Black Order and Thanos' Outriders. Sadly, while helping Okoye back to her feet, T'Challa turned to ash, but he won't be absent for much longer. Baseman was spotted in Avengers 4 set photos last year, and since Ryan Coogler is back on board to write and direct Black Panther 2, the Wakandan king still has a bright future ahead of him.

Shuri

Shuri's main task in Avengers: Infinity War was to try to safely remove the Mind Stone from Vision without killing the android. Sadly, Corvus Glaive broke into her workshop before she could finish. Like Wong, Infinity War didn't reveal if Shuri survived the Thanos snap, but since Letitia Wright let slip that she enjoyed working with Chris Pratt (Shuri and Star-Lord didn't have any scenes together in Infinity War), we can deduce that she's in Avengers 4. And with T'Challa gone, it's entirely possible that means Shuri has been crowned queen of Wakanda.

Wong

Although Wong appeared at the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War and assisted Iron Man, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man in fighting Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian, he returned to protect New York Sanctum Sanctorum after Strange was captured. Wong's fate post-Thanos snap wasn't reveal at the end of Infinity War, but since Benedict Wong confirmed he's reprising the character for Avengers 4 in a deeply unsettling photo, we can assume that he's still alive and keeping Earth safe from any threats that make their way to Earth. Although it's hard for anything to compare to the destruction Thanos unleashed.

Captain Marvel

Avengers: Infinity War foreshadowed Carol Danvers' arrival to the MCU, and in spring 2019, we're winding the clock back to the 1990s to tell her origin story in Captain Marvel. For a long time there was uncertainty about whether or not Carol would appear in Avengers 4, but thanks to comments from both Brie Larson and Kevin Feige, as well as the previously mentioned leaked concept art, she'll definitely be around. With their ranks thinned, the remaining heroes will need all the help they can get, and Carol is definitely someone they'll be glad to have by their side, what with the planet-moving powers and all.

Thanos

The untitled Avengers 4 used to be known as Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 -- and when the change was made, many questioned what that meant for Thanos. Would the Mad Titan still be facing off against Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Guardians of the Galaxy in the 2019 blockbuster, or would there be a new foe? Here's what we do know: at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos retired to an unidentified planet after carrying out his mass, random slaughter, content that he'd finally succeeded in his mission of balance. If it were up to him, he'd never fight again, but he'll undoubtedly have to when the surviving MCU heroes retaliate against him in their efforts to undo his genocide. But let's not forget that despite the Infinity Gauntlet being damaged, the Mad Titan still has all six Infinity Stones, so he's still more powerful than all of them.

Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp are ahead!

Now that Avengers: Infinity War has arrived on Digital HD and is hitting Blu-ray/DVD next week, talk has resumed about the blockbuster event and its effect on the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Within minutes, half of all life was erased thanks to Thanos and the six Infinity Stones, and the survivors stood shocked at what happened. It's not exaggerating to say that everything's changed after Infinity War, but this particular story isn't over just yet, as Avengers 4 arrives next year. Which begs the question: when we reunite with the surviving MCU heroes (and a certain purple-skinned villain) again, what will they be up to in this new reality?

Even with eight months to go until Avengers 4's release, Marvel is staying quiet about specific details concerning that movie. Sure there's the occasional rumor and report that finds its way online, but it's still hard to piece together what's in store. Nevertheless, given everything that went down in Avengers: Infinity War and what little we know about Avengers 4, we've taken it upon to speculate on where all of the major surviving characters will find themselves when the final Phase 3 installment begins, including a few folks who weren't around for Infinity War.

Iron Man

If Gwyneth Paltrow is to be believed, then the next time we see Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, they'll be parents, something Tony dreamt was going to happen right before Avengers: Infinity War. Tony's a much different man than the apathetic weapons manufacturer we met a decade ago, so seeing him raising a child would be another opportunity to show how he's developed for the better. However, it's also possible that Tony is having trouble moving on from the events of Infinity War. It was rumored last year that there's a scene in Avengers 4 where Tony is using his B.A.R.F. technology to look back at the Battle of New York with Harley Keener, the kid from Iron Man 3, for clues about Thanos. While that hasn't been confirmed yet, it's hardly difficult to imagine that Tony feels responsible for everything that happened, and knowing that Doctor Strange saved his life for a reason, he's become obsessed with undoing everything the Mad Titan did.

Captain America

While we may see Tony Stark as a dad in Avengers 4, the family life isn't necessarily for Steve Rogers, as he acknowledged at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron. He's dedicated his life to keeping humanity safe, whether publicly or in the shadows. It remains to be seen if the events of Avengers: Infinity War somehow result in the Sokovia Accords being overturned, but with half of Earth's population gone, the population needs superheroes more than ever, so we can undoubtedly count on Steve still fighting the good fight regardless of his legal status. Like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans is also expected to make his last MCU appearance in Avengers 4, so if that isn't enough for us to see Steve in the Captain America uniform and wielding the vibranium shield one last time, I don't know what is.

Thor

If Thor had aimed for Thanos' neck instead of his chest, he might have prevented the Mad Titan from wiping out half of all life. Unfortunately, that's not what happened, and I expect Thor will still feel guilty about failing to prevent genocide when Avengers 4 rolls around. But Thor is also still king of the Asgardians, and although half of his people were slaughtered by Thanos and the Black Order at the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War and some others presumably faded away from the Thanos snap, one would imagine there's a scattering of survivors out there. So it's a good bet that Thor will be working to bring the remnants of Asgard back together, and with Stormbreaker in his hands, traveling across the universe is easier than ever.

Bruce Banner/Hulk

Hulk would have come in handy during the Wakanda battle in Avengers: Infinity War, and the movie's first trailer had a shot of the Green Goliath charging into battle with his comrades. However, after getting a beatdown from Thanos aboard the Statesman, Hulk refused to come back out for the rest of Infinity War, leaving Bruce Banner to do his best in the Hulkbuster armor. While not clarified in the movie, the Russo Brothers noted that Hulk's stubbornness stems from him not wanting to "save Banner's ass" anymore. While Bruce might be glad to finally have some peace and quiet, allowing him to resume his scientific studies, Avengers 4 has also been said to be the final chapter of the loose Hulk "trilogy" that began with Thor: Ragnarok. So when Avengers 4 starts, maybe Bruce is still trying to reawaken his monstrous counterpart, knowing that there will come a time when he's needed.

Black Widow

Like Tony Stark, there have already been rumblings about what Black Widow is up to during Avengers 4. When the movie was shooting last year, it was reported that Scarlett Johansson was on an overnight shoot happening around the same time as another shoot that involved Japanese gangsters. Assuming these two are connected, then it seems the events of Avengers: Infinity War didn't deter Natasha Romanoff from continuing her spy work, as evidently she'll cross paths with the Yakuza. If she's willing to still beat bad guys to a pulp, then you'd think that she'd be game for jumping back into action with her superhero allies on Avengers 4's main mission.

War Machine

Although he approved of the Sokovia Accords during Captain America: Civil War, James Rhodes gradually had a change of heart, so when Captain America, Black Widow, Falcon and Bruce Banner showed up at the Avengers base, Rhodey ignored Secretary Ross' orders to arrest them. Rhodes admitted that would probably mean he get a court martial, and if half of humanity hadn't faded away, maybe that would have happened. However, the world is changed now, and given both his military standing and his experience as War Machine, maybe Rhodey will get a pass so that he can continue serving the United States and eliminating evildoers with a powerhouse suit of armor. If not, then assuming he didn't surrender himself to be disciplined, then he's probably on the run, just like Steve and the anti-Sokovia Accords gang were after Civil War.

Rocket Raccoon

Although he's still cynical and sarcastic, being with the Guardians of the Galaxy changed Rocket Raccoon for the better, so one can only imagine how losing all of his family is going to affect him, particularly where Groot is concerned. Rocket already watched the tree friend die once, and this time around, he'd become Groot's father figure. It's certainly possible Rocket could remain on Earth with his new allies and to learn about our raccoons, but I suspect that in Avengers 4, Rocket is back to traveling around the galaxy and getting into trouble in order to deal with his pain. His version of coping will include shooting criminals and causing as many explosions as possible.

Nebula

Thanos killed Gamora so he could obtain the Soul Stone, but the Mad Titan's other "daughter" survived his snap of death. Nebula vowed at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to kill Thanos, and given what he did at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, no doubt she's more determined than ever to fulfill that goal. Rather than stick around Earth, Nebula is likely traveling the galaxy when Avengers 4 begins trying to find Thanos so she can finally have her revenge. It's also worth noting that in the comics, Nebula is responsible for undoing Thanos' actions when she wielded the Infinity Gauntlet, but given how damaged the Gauntlet was at the end of Infinity War, it's hard to say if Karen Gillan's Nebula will get to harness that power for herself.

Okoye

When Thanos' minions arrived on Wakanda to take the Mind Stone from The Vision, Okoye was on the battlefield alongside the Avengers and Wakanda's warriors to drive back those monstrous hordes. Unfortunately, they lost the battle when Thanos rewound time and took the Mind Stone, and minutes later, Okoye watched as King T'Challa faded away instantly. Despite heavy losses, both during and after battle, Wakanda still stands, so while T'Challa may still be on her mind when Avengers 4 starts, it stands to reason that Okoye will still be leading the Dora Milaje and making sure the African nation stays safe in these troubling times.

M'Baku

M'Baku and T'Challa weren't on great terms at the start of Black Panther, but by the end of the movie, the two men developed newfound respect for one another, and M'Baku was given a spot on the Wakanda nation council to represent his tribe, the Jabari. So it was hardly surprising to see M'Baku and other Jabari warriors charging into battle in Avengers: Infinity War, but along with losing many of his men, M'Baku also had to watch with horror as more of the Jabari and other Wakandan warriors turned to dust. It's a lot to take in, but like Okoye, M'Baku has a duty to look after his people, so he'll likely still be leader of the Jabari when we reunite with him.

Thanos

What, did you think we weren't going to mention that guy who's responsible for all this devastation? In an instant, Thanos used the six Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe, and although he acknowledged to his vision of Gamora that finally accomplishing his mission "everything," he seemed content with what he'd done. Thanos was last seen watching a sunrise on another planet, fully healed from his injuries. However, it's important to note that when Thanos committed genocide, the Infinity Gauntlet was damaged, and co-director Joe Russo suggested that using the Gauntlet also damaged Thanos. When Avengers 4 picks up, Thanos will presumably be leading a quiet life and unwilling to undo what he's wrought. Could he have a change of heart later? Maybe, but at the start of the movie, don't expect him to be helpful in the slightest. In fact, if he gets wind of the surviving heroes trying to change reality back to normal, he'll probably jump back into action to stop them.

Hawkeye

After Captain America: Civil War, Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, took a deal from the U.S. government to be placed on house arrest in exchange so he could be with his family, hence why he didn't appear in Avengers: Infinity War. Unlike the last time Clint tried to retire from superheroics, this time it probably would have stuck, but Thanos' snap changed everything. Clint will be back in Avengers 4, only instead of picking up his bow and arrow again as Hawkeye, it's rumored he'll now be going by Ronin, and that identity change is the result of something happening in Infinity War that leaves him "in a very dark place." If this is true, and given how Infinity War ended, it's not a stretch to assume that Clint's family faded away, and with them gone, he's thrown himself back into vigilantism and adopted a new moniker.

Ant-Man

Like Clint Barton, Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man, took a house arrest deal with the U.S. government, which he completed at the end of Ant-Man and the Wasp. During that movie's post-credits scene, Scott went into the Quantum Realm to collect quantum energy that would help Ava Starr, a.k.a. Ghost, with her condition. Unfortunately for him, that visit happened right as Thanos snapped his fingers, and since Hank Pam, Hope van Dyne and Janet van Dyne all dusted away, that left Scott trapped in the Quantum Realm. We know that Scott will eventually break free from the Quantum Realm during Avengers 4 (possibly through one of those time vortexes Janet warned him to avoid), but who knows how much time will have passed when he gets back to our reality.

Captain Marvel

Although Carol Danvers hasn't debuted in the MCU yet, we got our first tease of her when the pager that Nick Fury activated before he turned to dust displayed the Captain Marvel symbol. Next March, the Captain Marvel movie will show audiences how Carol became a superhero in the 1990s, and then she'll reappear in the present day, be it in the Captain Marvel post-credits scene or at the beginning of Avengers 4. Whatever the reason for her being gone from Earth for the past 20 or so years, Fury's signal will be draw her back home, and while we don't know yet how she'll meet the other surviving heroes, given that she's the most powerful of them all, she may hold the key to defeating Thanos for good and/or reversing what he did with the Infinity Gauntlet (perhaps by wielding a different Infinity Gauntlet herself).

At this point, the Marvel Cinematic Universe feels like a well-oiled machine that knows exactly what it's doing and where it's going. However, the truth is that not every idea Marvel has instantly becomes a multi-million dollar box office hit. In fact, some of the ideas never become movies at all. Joe Robert Cole is the man behind the screenplay for the upcoming Black Panther movie, but he says that when he first came to Marvel's attention, there was interest in him penning a script for an entirely different film, one based on Don Cheadle's War Machine. According to Cole...

Iron Man 3 was the first film in Marvel's Phase Two, so it sounds like this conversation Joe Robert Cole describes to Complex was probably happening around the end of Phase One. It's not surprising if Marvel was playing with several different ideas regarding what to do with different characters in Phase Two. Bringing all the main heroes together with The Avengers was a feat unto itself at the time that nobody was quite sure was going to work, likely including the folks at Marvel themselves. While that film set up a place for the characters to go, which has led us to Avengers: Infinity War later this year, they likely hadn't put a great deal of work into the details, for the simple reason that if The Avengers didn't work, the rest might not happen at all.

It's unclear why the events of Iron Man 3 made a War Machine movie less likely. Perhaps the concept that Joe Robert Cole had for the film just didn't work based on where the character was going to be at the end of that film. We know that Iron Man 3 itself went through a lot of changes once upon a time, perhaps the role of War Machine was a side effect of that, and the final movie just didn't lend itself to a spinoff anymore.

One wonders if Don Cheadle knows that his character of James Rhodes was considered for his own spinoff movie once upon a time. Thus far we haven't seen any real spinoff films as all of the Marvel characters that have been introduced in support of other heroes have remained in those roles. However, recent news that things may actually be moving forward on a Black Widow movie would seem to indicate that could be changing, and if she's getting her own movie, perhaps a War Machine film could still be in the cards somewhere down the line.

Movies and television have always been at odds with one another, with varying lengths, fanbases and goals. Netflix is one of those providers that has its toes in both ponds. According to chief content officer Ted Sarandos, the movies side of the house is just as important in the company's plans for entertainment domination, and Netflix is going to continue to ramp up production of original movies. Although research the company has done indicates that 70% of Netflix users use the service to binge TV, the company has also found that users tend to hop over to a movie after binge-watching a TV series. So, it's easy to see why Netflix might push hard to jump into the movie space.

There's clearly a demand for movie content on Netflix, and Ted Sarandos said in a recent interview that the company is trying to expand into the space with big budget movies like War Machine and Bright. He also elaborated on why movies are so important, noting,

While on the outset it might seem like Netflix originals including Orange is the New Black and Jessica Jones are kicking the hell out of longform films at the company, it's clear Netflix has information to support the fact that there's still an itch in the movie realm that needs to be scratched. It should be noted that this is despite the fact that in terms of awards wins and festival appearances in the outside world, the TV side has earned a warmer reputation.

All you need to do is look at the reaction of the Cannes Film Festival to Okja, or look at the several instances of Netflix clashing with the theatrical exhibition market, and you'll see the road's definitely been bumpier on the side of the movies. Still, the traditional theatrical market hasn't done itself any favors, at least when it comes to 2017's underwhelming results through what could have been a strong summer competition. So while exhibitors may be wary of experiments in same day / smaller window releases, Netflix could provide them with the content they need, and perhaps the revolution that they could use, to keep them in the game for longer. Netflix isn't making it a secret that it wants to increase its brand through films as well as TV shows, and it's clear which market has been more accessible.

It's really a shame too, as Netflix has made waves wheeling and dealing to nab films like War Machine, or I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore, that either wouldn't find footing in the typical studio space, or in the case of the latter film, were lucky purchases. The company's intent of not so much conquering, but rather becoming a part of the Hollywood experience is only a natural extension of the brand, something that could makes more folks really want that Netflix experience. But again, the TV side of the house seems to be the bigger yield, or at least the more secure one, when it comes to the sort of scenario Ted Sarandos spoke with Variety about. However, it's also clear that users dabble in both sides.

Sure, the films of Netflix still manage to drum up interest, but with the company's own Marvel shows, such as The Defenders and the forthcoming Punisher series, as well as old standbys like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, the attention that the world has paid Netflix has mostly been lasered in on episodic content. Maybe with a couple of solid wide releases in the theatrical market, that could all change.

Should Netflix find a path it can accept, the streaming giant's transition into a filmmaking powerhouse could be imminent. All the company has to do is look at the lessons it has learned on the smaller screen, and apply them to a larger format. If Netflix can achieve that, it may reach its goal of providing something for everybody. It's a good point to keep in mind, as the content provider is gearing up to release Little Evil this Friday.

Unlike previous Spider-Man movies, Spider-Man: Homecoming didn't feature just Peter Parker as the only superhero. While Tom Holland's iteration was the one fighting evildoers (as it should be), he was also joined by his mentor, Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man. Tony's inclusion was understandable given how he bonded with Peter last year in Captain America: Civil War, and thankfully he didn't overshadow Spider-Man. But at one point, the Spider-Man: Homecoming team was thinking about giving Peter some extra superhero company by including War Machine and Vision.

Warning: SPOILERS for Spider-Man: Homecoming are ahead!

Approximately halfway through Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker found himself in quite the pickle when one of the weapons used by Adrian Toomes' gang malfunctioned and split a Staten Island ferry in half. Peter tried desperately to keep the boat intact with his webbing, but he was unsuccessful, and it was only thanks to Iron Man's timely intervention that everyone on board was saved. As you can see in the above artwork from Spider-Man: Homecoming - The Art of the Movie (via MCU News & Tweets), it was considered having War Machine and Vision aid in the rescue mission, with Vision snagging one of the falling cars and War Machine peeling off part of the hull to presumably reach some occupants.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown more willingness in recent years to throw superheroes into solo movies led by other protagonists, from Falcon fighting Scott Lang in Ant-Man to Hulk being a supporting character in Thor: Ragnarok. However, since Iron Man already filled such a position in Spider-Man: Homecoming, it's probably for the best that War Machine and Vision didn't cameo. Spider-Man: Homecoming had enough Avengers ties, and throwing those two into the ferry rescue would have been overkill. Besides, given that Spider-Man: Homecoming takes place only a few months after Captain America: Civil War, it's hard to imagine War Machine being out in the field since he was paralyzed and having difficulty using Tony Stark's bionic leg support when we last saw him. Going from that to rescuing civilians in that bulky armor is a stretch.

For those of you itching to see War Machine and Vision back in action, your wish will be granted soon. Both of them are confirmed to return in Avengers: Infinity War next year. Vision will be especially important to the story because the Mind Stone in his forehead is one of the six Infinity Stones Thanos is desperate to obtain. As for War Machine, we'll have to wait and see whether he's well enough to return to his superhero duties or if he'll stay on the sidelines.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is now playing in theaters, and Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 is scheduled for release on July 5, 2019.

There are about a million different reasons why we love superheroes, but one of the biggest is their endlessly awesome crime fighting outfits. It doesn't matter if they hail from the DCEU, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or even the Arrow-verse, superhero costumes balance functionality and beauty in some truly fascinating ways, and the live-action outfits seen on film and television over the years have seriously wowed us every step of the way. On that note, do you think you're an expert on superhero outfits? Check out our quiz below to see if you can identify all ten of the heroes behind these iconic wardrobe choices.

Looking for the answers? Continue on to see the results...

Whose Costume Is This?

Thor

Whose Costume Is This?

The Punisher

Whose Costume Is This?

Falcon

Whose Costume Is This?

White Canary

Whose Costume Is This?

Cyclops

Whose Costume Is This?

War Machine

Whose Costume Is This?

Daredevil

Whose Costume Is This?

Wonder Woman

Whose Costume Is This?

Green Arrow

Whose Costume Is This?

Batman

As subscription streaming services like Netflix and Amazon have started ramping up their efforts in the original movies field, there's been a lot of talk about what makes the streaming services a good fit for certain directors. If you've been hoping for an answer, we can at least tell you what Okja director Bong-Joon Ho said about working with streaming giant Netflix. It all comes down to creative freedom, according to the director:

There are a lot of big budget movies that the studios tinker with in order to get the product the studio feels fits its audience best. Even giant movies, such as Suicide Squad for example, have been rumored to go through reshoots at the studio's behest. That's not true of Netflix, however. Per Bong-Joon Ho, Netflix enabled him to create a finished product that he stood behind 100%, and apparently he didn't have to change anything to fit the streaming service's audience. It must be nice to know what Steven Spielberg feels like.

Over the past few months, a pattern has been emerging with the streaming service. Netflix has started taking on movies with bigger budgets, with movies like War Machine and the upcoming Will Smith vehicle Bright costing a pretty penny. Clearly, the subscription streaming service is able to shell out a sizable amount of money to produce originals, too, so there's plenty of freedom in those terms, too. David Michod, who directed the Brad Pitt starrer War Machine also told the Washington Post that Netflix has been a good deal for him because he doesn't have to worry so much about box office, noting that with theatrical releases,

That's not true of Netflix, as a lot of the subscription streaming service's originals see people come to them over time, which means movies have the time to make impressions and make their mark on pop culture, theoretically. Netflix may not be the model for everyone. Indie films have had some trouble finding success with the streaming service; big events like Cannes haven't been the friendliest places for Netflix content and awards ceremonies haven't focused much on what Netflix has to offer yet. In addition, the subscription streaming service can't afford the huge blockbusters that are dominating theaters these days. However, for mid-level movies, Netflix may be the place to be. You can check out what Netflix has coming up in terms of original projects with our full premiere schedule.

For a film packed with so much bravado, you can't quite shake the feeling that War Machine doesn't really know what to do with itself. That doesn't hinder its progress all that much during its opening hour, as writer and director David Michod is able to bring Michael Hastings' book The Operators, and its exploration of General Stanley McChrystal and the Iraq war, to the big-screen in an illuminating and insightful manner. But War Machine ultimately takes a few too many wrong turns with its narrative choices, dovetailing away from what made it so compelling, which sucks the wind out of its sails.

While War Machine is indeed based upon Michael Hastings' documentation of his travels with General Stanley McChrystal and his team in Iraq in April 2010, all of the names involved have been changed. Instead, Brad Pitt plays Four-star General Glen McMahon, who is sent to Afghanistan to try and bring the war to an end. He decides to do this by adopting the controversial Counter-insurgency method, but soon realizes that he'll also have to be politically savvy and use the media to his advantage in order to get the troops he desires.

When War Machine is in Iraq, director David Michod is actually able to neatly simplify the complexities that went into trying to bring the war to an end, something that most other films of this ilk fail miserably at. It even presents this information in an entertaining, dramatic, and genuinely laugh out loud fashion. War Machine particularly excels when it details how Glen McMahon (Brad Pitt) confronted the stagnation of America's involvement in Iraq, all of which gets you behind the character. That doesn't really last, though, as Pitt's performance simply feels like a slightly toned down take on his work in Inglourious Basterds, mixed with an impression of George C. Scott's Patton. It's neither memorable nor unremarkable. Just so-so, and it means that War Machine is able to coast without the character ever really hooking us.

Alongside Brad Pitt's Glen McMahon, David Michod assembles a strong ensemble that is able to impress despite their relative lack of screen-time. As well as Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley as President Hamid Karzai, there's Anthony Hayes, Emory Cohen, RJ Cyler, Topher Grace, Scoot McNairy, Keith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Meg Tilly, and Tilda Swinton. But it is actually 80s screen stars Anthony Michael Hall, as McMahon's doggedly loyal and macho right-hand man, and Alan Ruck, as the conniving politician looking to keep McMahon in check, that leave the biggest impressions.

But while the bromance between the soldiers, and their dedication to General McMahon is endearing, David Michod's decision to overly explore the damage McMahon's military career has done to his marriage ultimately slows the film to a snail's pace, while the exploration of the political machinations in Europe sees War Machine become a little aimless, lost, and dragging.

Its return to Iraq, and a particularly enthralling battle sequence, makes sure it ends brightly, especially as War Machine might actually feature the best final shot of the year. But, ultimately, War Machine is too bloated to make a huge impact, even though it is still detailed and informative enough to be an intriguing, sometimes even intense, watch. This might not be the ultimate proof of the Netflix revolution, but it suggests that they're very much heading in the right direction.

The introduction of streaming services has completely changed the landscape of television over the past few years. And now that Netflix and company are focusing on acquiring and releasing exciting new films, Hollywood film production may be on the precipice of a similar shift in thinking. Quite a few unique film titles have been given the Netflix lately, so the next few months should be a particularly exciting for the streaming service's subscribers. And there's seven specific films that you don't want to miss when they're released in the coming months.

War Machine (May 26, 2017)

War Machine is one of the most highly anticipated new film releases for Netflix. An utterly ridiculous satirical war film, War Machine will follow four-star General Glen McMahon (Brat Pitt) and his platoon, who are deployed to Afghanistan in an attempt to end the conflict overseas. But both McMahon and the rest of his group's incompetence becomes instantly clear, presumably leading to quite a few wartime shenanigans and pratfalls. And before long, McMahon realizes he may be the one in danger there.

War Machine boasts an impressive supporting cast, in addition to the major win in the form of Brad Pitt. Joining Pitt in his wartime comedy are Ben Kingsley, Topher Grace, The OA's Emory Cohen, former Bratpacker Anthony Michael Hall, and even the incomparable Tilda Swinton. The trailer for the satire is currently available online, so you can see if War Machine will make it onto your queue when its released next week.

The Meyerowitz Stories (May 21st, 2017)

Just when you thought Netflix had calmed down on the Adam Sandler front, we have another release featuring the legendary comedian and actor. But The Meyerowitz Stories isn't actually part of Adam Sandler's deal with Netflix; he's just happens to be in the cast of a film released by the streaming service.

The Meyerowitz Stories revolves around the titular Meyerowitz family, as we see the now adult children deal with their aging father. Details about the film have been mostly kept under wraps, but the dramedy is sure to contain its fair share of both laughs and heartfelt moments. Adam Sandler will co-star among a mixture of familiar and newcommer faces, many of which audiences will be very familiar with. Rounding out the cast is Ben Stiller, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, and House of Cards alum Elizabeth Marvel.

While critics may have been brutal on Adam Sandler's last few Netflix original movies, I've always found his dramatic performances to be surprisingly genuine and heartfelt. And while Sandler may be a main cast member of The Meyerowitz Stories, it's not an "Adam Sandler movie" per se.

Shimmer Lake (June 9th, 2017)

This one is a particularly wild and unconventional project, which makes its home on Netflix a brilliant choice. Shimmer Lake is a crime dramedy that has a ton of high concepts attached to it. The directorial debut of God Particle (aka Cloverfield 3) and 22 Jump Street writer Oren Uziel, the film revolves around a local sheriff who is attempting to find the truth behind a bank heist gone wrong. And while this might not be particularly mind blowing, the genre defying film will be told in reverse, moving backward through days of a week. That's right, we're doing it Tarantino style for this one.

_Shimmer Lake _truly seems like its in a genre of its own. Netflix has released one brief scene starring _The Office_'s Rainn Wilson, in which he holds his co-star by gunpoint for information, while young man attempts to hold in his impending bowel movement in a nearby bathroom. It's dramatic, bizarre, and obscene. If that doesn't spell out a Netflix original, I don't know what does. Check it out.

Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust (May 30th, 2017)

Another way that Netflix has made a name for itself in the world of entertainment is its commitment to stand-up comedy. Perhaps stealing HBO's thunder in a way, Netflix has quickly become the home for new stand up specials, with a variety of comedians premiering new material over on the streaming service. Actress/comic Sarah Silverman is debuting her third comedy special this month, with Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust premiering on Netflix May 30th.

A Speck of Dust features Sarah Silverman's signature irreverent wit. As always, Sarah plays the fool in order to make a statement about the world we live in, putting herself as the butt of the joke rather than the attacker. Additionally, her third comedy special is perhaps her most metatheatrical, explaining the process of writing comedy to the audience, while also delivering on the laughs. Unlike Jesus is Magic and HBO's We Are Miracles, we can expect a lack of musical numbers, with Silverman allowing her jokes (and occasional political commentary) to speak for themselves.

Okja (June 28, 2017)

Okja is probably the most highly anticipated film in this list, as its gained quite a bit of media attention since its utterly unique concept was first introduced. Okja follows a young girl named Mija (played by South Korean child actress Ahn Seo-hyun), who is the caretaker of an experimental new creature named, you guessd it, Okja. Okja massive pig-like creature that was created by the Mirando Corporation as the first genetically enhanced creature meant for food consumption. Okja has a minimal carbon footprint, requires minimal food, and produces very little bodily waste. As such, the Mirando Corporation plans to mass produce the monster in order to solve the world's natural resource problem, and feed entire nations.

But Mija won't let her buddy Okja be taken by the corporation's CEO (played by Tilda Swinton), and a wild sci-fi adventure begins. The film has a very impressive cast, including Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun, and Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito.

Netflix just released the film's first trailer, you can check out the madness below.

Bright (December 2017)

Aside from Okja, Bright might be the most intriguing upcoming Netflix film on this list. Starring the always delightful Will Smith, Bright focuses on an LAPD officer who battles criminals, both human and otherwise, in a world occupied by a variety of mythical and monstrous creatures. Directed by Suicide Squad's David Ayer, Bright will include creatures like Orcs and Elves living in a modern Los Angeles. And considering how bad traffic is with just humans, I'm sure the LAPD going to have quite a bit of chaos to clean up.

Joining Will Smith for this ambitious project are Joel Edgerton as the first Orc police officer, Prometheus' Noomi Rapace, as well as TV stars like Lucy Fry (11.22.63), and Kenneth Choi (The People v. O.J. Simpson). The first teaser for Bright was released recently, you can check it out below.

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Brad Pitt is joining the ranks of veteran actors who are foregoing acting gigs to take on new roles on the producing side of filmmaking. In the past months, he's seen his private life bared to the public as he went through a divorce with his wife Angelina Jolie. And while he's set to premiere in the upcoming Netflix vehicle War Machine, gone are the days when the actor would film a slew of movies each year. Instead, the actor has gotten more into the producing end of filmmaking, and he recently explained why, noting,

There are a few things in life that give people a reason to recalibrate. One of those is getting a divorce, and potentially getting fewer opportunities to spend time with your kids. Another is getting sober, which often leads people to rethink how they choose to spend their time. It was only recently that Brad Pitt revealed he is sober, and it was only a short time before that reveal that Pitt's divorce from Angelina Jolie was finalized. It's no wonder that he's taking a look at his career choices and the way he spends his time.

Brad Pitt went on to tell talk to the AP about his upcoming subscription streaming service movie War Machine, which he both acts in and produces. But he says he wanted to step in front of the camera for this one, both because of the cost compared to a traditional Netflix project and because he wanted to talk about the pain and pressures of war without taking shots at specific people working in high-ranking political positions right now. Here's what he has to say about the upcoming gig:

War Machine has already released a couple of trailers, and the absurd comedy set to hit Netflix on Friday, May 26 at 12:01 a.m. PT. Beyond that, it's hard to tell when we'll see Brad Pitt in a movie again, although he will reportedly be in Ad Astra and World War Z 2 when those eventually come out. On the bright side, his name will be in the producer credits on Lewis and Clark, Okja, Beautiful Boy, Brad's Status and many more. To find out what all is headed to Netflix in the coming months, take a look at our full Netflix premiere schedule.

Netflix has been shelling out quite a bit of moolah to bring some big stars to the streaming service, and we've known for a while that one of these expensive projects is War Machine, a movie starring Brad Pitt and a slew of other known names. We've already gotten a first look at War Machine, but the new trailer is even more entertaining and political. Give the full trailer a watch, below.

While the early looks at War Machine really teased Brad Pitt's role as General Glen McMahon, this trailer puts the character front and center. General McMahon is a controlled speaker and a man of ideas. He spends half of the trailer trying to explain to his men why they are in Afghanistan--to "support and protect" the civilians--and half the time listening to his men, who seem increasingly confused over what they are supposed to be doing. Billed as a parody, the hectic wartime comedy broaches politics in terms of journalists questioning the military and leaders from both sides meeting up. It also features a very different-looking Brad Pitt.

While Brad Pitt's not running around looking as fit as possible as he's done in movies like World War Z, there is still plenty of action in the trailer for the comedy, with soldiers brandishing guns and helicopters landing and plenty of other tropes that are often seen in war-related movies. While this seems like a tale of Brad Pitt leading a group of soldiers to glory, we already know we can expect something very different when War Machine premieres.

Netflix has already described the film as a "savage" parody. Director David Michod's new movie will be the head of commanding forces in Afghanistan when the movie picks up, but he will soon go on a journey into the heart of warfare and politics. Reports indicate his "own hubris" and a journalist--played by Tilda Swinton in the trailer--will end up being the cause of his downfall. If the plot's not enough to entice you, maybe the cast will be, as Brad Pitt is starring opposite Ben Kingsley, Scoot McNairy, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, John Magaro, Will Poulter, RJ Cyler and Alan Ruck.

We've been hearing about this movie for a while, but in typical Netflix fashion, the streaming service has waited until nearer the release to put out footage related to the new movie. You can finally catch War Machine when it hits the streaming service on May 26. To find out what else Netflix has in the cards coming up, take a quick look at our premiere schedule.

If you've been keeping any tabs on Netflix over the past few years, you should be aware that Netflix has been seriously ramping up its original programming. A lot of this includes TV series and comedy specials, but another way Netflix has started branching out is by becoming the exclusive home of certain movies, including Adam Sandler flicks and more. If you've been wondering roughly how much these movies cost, we have answers for you.

This week the trailer premiered for Death Note, an anime-turned-live action movie that has been gaining interest for a while. According to Engadget, Netflix shelled out between $40 and $50 million to adapt the earlier anime project to fit Netflix's audience. That's not the most expensive project Netflix has shelled out money for either. Brad Pitt's War Machine reportedly cost $60 million. On the higher end of the spectrum Bright cost $90 million and that Martin Scorsese movie reportedly is costing Netflix $100 million.

On the one hand, these movies and their cost make a whole lot of sense. Movies often cost in the tens of millions or more if they are going to be released in theaters. The other pro of heading straight to Netflix is that Netflix will always be the home of those films. They will always be housed on the streaming service and provided Netflix doesn't thin its library and pull them at any point, you should be able to watch them whenever you want in perpetuity.

However, the con to this is that it means fewer non-original movies and programs are being housed by the streaming service. While we are often upset when our favorite shows get pulled from Netflix, it is kind-of nice that Netflix has swapped out its content over the years, bringing us new programming every month--of both the original and non-original variety. While it's great that Death Note, for instance, will always be housed on Netflix, only time will tell if that will be a movie people will want to revisit over and over again or watch once and be done with it. In that case, leased movies that are only on for a little while may be the better call.

Right now, Netflix is certainly in new territory and still figuring out what people like and how best to serve its audience. Because of this, Netflix is experimenting, and certainly has the budget to do so. We'll have to wait and see how many more original movies hit the schedule. What do you think, though? Is $100 million a reasonable amount to spend on one movie for a streaming service?

Take a look at what originals the subscription streaming service has coming up with our Netflix premiere schedule.

Brad Pitt has been in his share of war movies, but none of them have looked quite like this. Our first look at War Machine shows us just how different a military movie this is going to be. Netflix paid a lot of money to get the rights to the new movie and now we have our first look at just what they bought. Check out the first trailer for War Machine.

While this is just first look, and as such doesn't show us a great deal about the film is actually about, the one thing that is made clear here is tone. There's a clear comedic aspect to this film, and considering the subject matter couldn't be more serious, it feels like it's black comedy. While the film's title makes it sound like an entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what we are really getting here is a look at the machine of war and the people that make sure that it continues to run smoothly.

Seeing a new major motion picture starring Brad Pitt is not all that surprising. What is surprising is the watermark advertising the company that's bringing it to us. War Machine will make its debut not on the big screen, but instead on the small one thanks to Netflix. The streaming media company paid $60 million for the rights to distribute the picture, showing that they are only becoming bigger players in the wider movie game. War Machine follows a multipicture deal with Adam Sandler as well as numerous other film and TV releases that have made Netflix a must for any TV or movie fan looking for quality content.

War Machine is based on the book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan. It follows the events of General Stanley McChrystal who took over NATO operations in Afghanistan before resigning following a magazine article in which McChrystal was openly critical of civilian government officials.

Based on Brad Pitt's uniform at the end of the trailer, it appears his character's name has been changed to McMahon, likely in order to put some distance between the film and the real life events. It's possible there was some fear that the film could run into trouble if they used the General's real name. We'll have to wait and see just how true to life the events of War Machine are. It's possible that the movie has become more of a fictionalization of the real events.

Regardless of the subject matter, War Machine certainly looks like a movie worth checking out. In addition to Brad Pitt, the film boasts Tilda Swinton and Ben Kingsley among others. If this was a big screen release we'd certainly be checking it out. War Machine will premiere on Netflix May 26.