Armor Wars star Don Cheadle defends the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4, which has been criticized by some. The actor debuted as War Machine in the MCU in 2010’s Iron Man 2, taking over the role from Terrence Howard. Cheadle has gone on to appear in six MCU films and is set to star in the upcoming movie Armor Wars, which is reportedly being retooled from a television series to a film. It’s currently unknown whether Armor Wars will be part of Phase 5 or 6 of the MCU, though it is likely that the film will be part of Phase 6.
War Machine had a minimal presence in the MCU Phase 4, which concluded with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with the character appearing briefly in Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and What If…?. In general, Phase 4 of the MCU has been the franchise’s most divisive phase yet, with the introduction of several Disney+ television shows and seven films being viewed as an overload of content, causing some to express feeling the recently dubbed ‘Marvel fatigue’. While speaking with Total Film (via CBR), Cheadle opened up with his thoughts about MCU Phase 4, stating that he hopes the franchise “doesn’t get spread too thin” but saying that there is “still some quality control” to the many projects in the works. See what the actor had to say below:
“It can go on and on and on… hopefully it doesn’t get spread too thin. And there’s still some quality control and not just trying to expand for expansion’s sake. But there’s a clear idea about the storytelling and what you’re trying to accomplish with every iteration.”
Why Phase 4 Has Been So Divisive For MCU Fans
Phase 4 of the MCU has started a new era in the franchise, kicking off the Multiverse Saga, which will continue in Phases 5 and 6. After the monumental anticipation built up for Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has been faced with the daunting task of rebuilding now that the saga that started with Iron Man in 2008 has come to an end. By introducing many new characters as well as revisiting established characters dealing with new stages of their lives (like Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch entering a villainous arc) and bringing in a new format with live-action Disney+ television series, Phase 4 has gone into surprising directions, some of which have proven unpopular.
One of the major complaints about the MCU’s Phase 4 is that it feels disorganized and aimless at times, especially since some of the projects that were released in this phase had nothing to do with the multiverse, which Phase 4 began exploring in a major way with projects including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In addition, many of Phase 4’s projects were isolated in their nature, lacking the exciting anticipation for team-ups that past phases have provided. Given the many recent MCU releases, some also feel that the volume has directly related to the perceived dip in quality and lack of organization in Phase 4, leading viewers to feel unenthusiastic about the franchise’s future.
Why Armor Wars Is Important For The MCU
While not much is known about the upcoming project, Armor Wars will be an essential part of the MCU’s future, giving an established and popular character a chance to shine as the lead for the first time. War Machine, a well-known character associated closely with the beloved Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), could potentially pull viewers who have grown tired of the MCU’s many projects back in, as well as appealing to new fans of the franchise with a fresh premise. In addition, War Machine is one of the more grounded characters in the franchise, meaning that Armor Wars could provide a welcome respite for those less interested in the more cosmic and multiversal storylines explored in many upcoming MCU projects.
Source: Total Film (via CBR)