First Picture of James “WAR MACHINE” Rhodes In Avengers: Age of Ultron

Finally. FINALLY! One of Marvel Studios’s favorite sidekicks (and classic Avenger) has made it to the big leagues. While he’s not sporting his bombastic gray armor, this picture of Don Cheadle’s War Machine (aka James Rhodes) is the final confirmation that he’ll interact with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Not only that, but by including the character so early in the marketing campaign, he’ll almost definitely play a significant part in the story. You know, besides the short cameo, a la Hawkeye’s Thor (2011) scene.

Check him out below.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: Joss Whedon was BORN to shoot Avengers Tower scenes. The humor and intimate interactions between these characters, especially now that they’re familiar with each other, is where Whedon will truly shine. I regularly criticize the director for his heavy handed use of humor in the first Avengers (read any of my Whedon-centric articles for that diatribe), but implementing the same sensibilities in these candid moments is genius. I hope he delivers!

Oh, and since we’re discussing War Machine, you know what’d be really awesome? If the sidekicks star in Avengers 4. I imagine the third team-up flick in the series will feature Earth’s Mightiest Heroes combatting Thanos, which might force them into an interstellar chase. While the world’s without its greatest heroes, who’s left to defend the citizens? How about War Machine, Falcon, Bucky/Winter Soldier, Lady Sif, and whoever else Marvel can lend to the film. Not only would this break up the monotony (as if I’d ever tire of the Big 4 fighting on the silver screen) but it’d also weasel around some tricky contract negotiations with the now-expensive stars of the franchise.