Summary
Secret Invasion director Ali Selim reveals that Marvel presented him with certain requirements for the upcoming film, which included the idea of placing Nick Fury in space and showcasing Rhodey's physical disability in Armor Wars.Assuming Rhodey was actually replaced by a Skrull following the events of Captain America: Civil War, it is possible that he remains unaware of subsequent occurrences, such as Tony Stark's demise. This paves the way for a distinctive storyline in Armor Wars, where Rhodey must navigate a world that has confronted immense challenges, in order to find his rightful place.
In Armor Wars, Rhodey will emerge from Tony Stark's shadow and develop a deep mistrust towards the government's utilization of Stark Technology. His journey in the series will require him to adapt to the new version of the MCU and rediscover his place within it.
According to Secret Invasion director Ali Selim, setting up Rhodey's future in Armor Wars was a crucial task. The Secret Invasion finale unveiled numerous shocking revelations, including Rhodey's rescue after being held captive for an extended period. The show exposed that Rhodey had been replaced by a Skrull at some point during the events of the MCU. Though the exact moment of his replacement remains undisclosed, his inability to walk in the finale suggests it occurred around or following Captain America: Civil War.
Selim recently had an exclusive interview with Screen Rant discussing the Secret Invasion finale. During the interview, he shared that Marvel provided him with specific guidelines to lay the groundwork for future developments, namely the desired location for Nick Fury and the physical challenge Rhodey will face in Armor Wars. Below, you can find the full quote and the complete interview with Selim:
Ali Salim: I received certain requirements for the upcoming film. It's crucial to relocate Nick Fury to space. Additionally, it's essential to incorporate a storyline where Rhodey experiences impaired mobility for the events in Armor Wars.
How The Finale Of Secret Invasion Could Set Up Armor Wars
If Rhodey was replaced by a Skrull after getting injured in Captain America: Civil War, it suggests that he may be unaware of subsequent events in the MCU, such as the death of his best friend Tony Stark. In the movie, Rhodey may embark on a journey akin to Tony's in the Armor Wars comic book series, striving to protect his technology from falling into the wrong hands as a way of honoring his friend's legacy. However, there appears to be a deeper aspect to this, particularly as Rhodey must navigate the world and come to terms with the sudden loss of one of his closest friends.
Despite being a hero in the MCU for a considerable time, Rhodey hasn't received much character development, primarily serving as Tony's loyal companion and ally throughout the Infinity Saga. Secret Invasion presents a unique opportunity to explore a different narrative for this military man, given his years of captivity by the Skrull. Rhodey will need to adapt to a world that has faced major challenges like Thanos, the Blip, the deaths of Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff, and even a Skrull invasion.
In Armor Wars, Rhodey has the opportunity to step out of Tony's shadow and navigate this new world. With Secret Invasion introducing a significant infiltration in the U.S. Government, Rhodey's concern grows regarding their use of Stark Technology and weaponry. Particularly, he finds it unsettling that they fail to recognize his replacement. Secret Invasion lays the foundation for various intriguing storylines involving Fury, Ross, G'iah, and Falsworth. However, Rhodey's future in Armor Wars emerges as particularly captivating, as he embarks on a journey to rediscover his place in this evolved version of the MCU.