The Return of Justin Hammer: A Look at Marvel's What If...? Season 2

The Return of Justin Hammer: A Look at Marvel's What If...? Season 2

Marvel's What If...? season 2 brings back a massively wasted character from Phase 1, Iron Man 2's Justin Hammer, for a long-awaited revenge on Tony Stark. Here's a detailed look at the return of this iconic character and what it means for the MCU.

The Long-Awaited Return of Justin Hammer

Marvel Studios' What If... ? Season 2 l Holiday Wordplay l Disney+

The return of Iron Man 2's Justin Hammer to the MCU has been a long time coming, and fans are eager to see how this iconic character will make his mark once again. With his last appearance nearly a whole decade ago, Justin Hammer is finally making a comeback in Marvel's What If...? season 2.

Justin Hammer wearing Hulkbuster armor in What If...? Season 2

Justin Hammer wearing Hulkbuster armor in What If...? Season 2

As revealed by the latest trailer for Marvel's What If...? season 2, Justin Hammer will star in an episode entitled 'What If...Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?'. This episode features a reality where Happy Hogan is attempting to save Avengers Tower during the holidays, presumably from Hammer himself. This sets the stage for an intense showdown between the two characters, bringing a new dimension to the MCU.

War Machine and Potential Armor Wars Villains (Justin Hammer and Armored War Machine)

War Machine and Potential Armor Wars Villains (Justin Hammer and Armored War Machine)

The anticipation for Hammer's return is fueled by the fact that he was one of the best parts of Iron Man 2, despite being massively underutilized in the aftermath. Now, with the opportunity to take center stage once again, Justin Hammer is poised to leave a lasting impression on fans and the MCU.

The Multiverse Vision of Justin Hammer's Revenge

In this new reality in the multiverse, Justin Hammer is free and is naturally out for revenge against Tony Stark. The plot intentionally mirrors Die Hard, as Avengers Tower is under siege by Hammer during the Christmas season, requiring Tony Stark's head of security Happy Hogan to save the day alongside Darcy Lewis.

The return of Hammer in this alternate reality sets the stage for an action-packed and thrilling episode, with the trailer featuring Hammer wearing Iron Man's Hulkbuster armor. This adds a new level of intensity to the conflict and raises the stakes for the characters involved, promising an unforgettable showdown.

The anticipation for this episode is further heightened by the long absence of Justin Hammer from the MCU, making his return all the more impactful. Fans are eager to see how this alternate version of Hammer will challenge the heroes and what implications it will have for the larger MCU.

The Future of Justin Hammer in the MCU

Beyond his animated appearance in Marvel's What If...?, there is speculation that Justin Hammer could return in live-action in War Machine's upcoming MCU project Armor Wars. This story will see Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes protecting Tony Stark's legacy and technology from falling into the wrong hands, with Hammer being a prime candidate to pose a threat.

The potential return of Hammer in live-action adds an exciting layer to the character's future in the MCU, offering new possibilities for conflict and storytelling. The prospect of Sam Rockwell's return as Hammer is a thrilling prospect for fans, and it sets the stage for future developments in the MCU.

As Marvel's What If...? begins streaming on December 22nd, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Justin Hammer and the impact it will have on the larger narrative of the MCU. The resurgence of this iconic character brings a new level of anticipation and excitement to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.