War Machine Soars to New Heights: Unleashing Rhodey's Ultimate Potential in the MCU

In Secret Invasion, Rhodey (Don Cheadle) returns to the audience, finally embracing his War Machine persona after more than a decade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the movie side of the MCU gears up for future crossover events like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, Secret Invasion expands the TV side of the universe. The series has the potential to significantly impact the rest of the MCU, while also giving well-deserved character development to those who have been overlooked for years.

One such character is Rhodey, Tony Stark's loyal friend who joined the New Avengers at the conclusion of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Since then, under the alias War Machine, Rhodey has fought alongside the Avengers and other superheroes, with Tony continuously enhancing and repairing his War Machine armor. While Rhodey has been a valuable ally in the MCU, he has yet to fully embody his "War Machine" identity... until now. Secret Invasion unveils a previously unseen side of Rhodey, showcasing his true capabilities.

War Machine Is Earning His Name In Secret Invasion

Rhodey, formerly known as War Machine, temporarily rebranded himself as Iron Patriot during his early days as a hero in the MCU. This change was justified within the story as "Iron Patriot" being a less aggressive moniker compared to "War Machine", particularly in the aftermath of the Chitauri invasion and the Battle of New York in The Avengers. However, Rhodey ultimately reverted back to the War Machine name after defeating Aldrich Killian in Iron Man 3. Despite its implications, the War Machine persona has not fully lived up to its name, except for a significant moment in Secret Invasion episode 2.

During an emergency security summit attended by the British Prime Minister and others, Rhodey endeavored to prove that Nick Fury and the US were not involved in a terrorist attack in Moscow. The representative from Slovakia consistently displayed dismissive behavior towards Rhodey, prompting him to address his team and warn that if Slovakia continued, he would "put on the suit and carpet bomb it." While it is highly unlikely that Rhodey would resort to bombing a country solely due to a disrespectful glance, the incident demonstrates his awareness of the tremendous power he possesses, and serves as a reminder to the audience as to why he carries the title of "War Machine".

Secret Invasion Reminds Everyone Rhodey Is Tony Stark's Mentee

Rhodey owes his current hero status to Tony Stark and his advanced technology. As one of Iron Man's most notable protégés, Rhodey may have had different backgrounds and perspectives, but he fought alongside Tony for a common cause. Through their friendship, Rhodey absorbed everything he needed to know about being a hero. Tony, known for his occasional impulsive behavior, was always conscious of his immense power as both Iron Man and Tony Stark. He had no qualms about using that power to intimidate if it meant saving others. Rhodey undoubtedly picked up a few tricks from Tony, as demonstrated by his comment about Slovakia in Secret Invasion. Not only has Rhodey embraced his War Machine persona, but he also showcases the valuable lessons he learned from Tony Stark.