Fans may have to wait a long time before they see Don Cheadle and War Machine in the MCU again, claims an insider. The actor last appeared in the franchise during Disney+ TV show Secret Invasion in 2023.
Trusted scooper Daniel Richtman recently claimed that Don Cheadle may not show up in the MCU for some time following Secret Invasion. He mentioned that Secret Invasion’s poor performance and low popularity may be a reason behind his absence from upcoming projects.
While the insider has a credible track record, fans should still take the latest claim with a grain of salt unless Marvel shares an official update on Cheadle’s future in the MCU.
How Secret Invasion may have complicated Don Cheadle’s War Machine return
Despite being an underwhelming series, Secret Invasion did manage to feature some captivating performances and Don Cheadle was highly praised for his portrayal of James Rhodes as well as a Skrull imposter.
However, the show may have made things confusing for Cheadle’s character moving forward. At the end of Secret Invasion, the Skrull imposter posing as Rhodes gets killed by Nick Fury. Plus, the real Rhodey is finally rescued from a captivity pod, but he is seen paralyzed and not in great condition.
The show didn’t have a post-credits scene to tease something for the future in relation to James Rhodes. Moreover, the timeline was quite fuzzy regarding when Rhodes was replaced by a Skrull imposter.
All of the movies and shows in the MCU after Secret Invasion have also mostly refrained from bringing up the events of the show. Hence, Don Cheadle’s return looks slightly uncertain at this point. But it’s just speculation for now and should be taken with caution.
Previously, there have been rumors of Cheadle’s comeback with Avengers: Doomsday. But Marvel’s team has yet to provide any substantial update on his involvement in the upcoming movie.
