The last time we saw Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes, he was recovering from a pretty nasty spinal injury after being blasted out of the sky by The Vision while he was suited up as War Machine. Thanks to Tony Stark, he had found a way to walk again by the time the credits rolled on Civil War and it's since been confirmed that he'll actually join the battle against Thanos in Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War.
In a new interview, Don Cheadle was asked about what Rhodey has been up to since he last showed up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it sounds like he's been struggling to recover from his injuries.
"Well clearly there was a pretty significant moment for Rhodey at the end of Civil War, where he was accidentally shot out of the air by Vision … who is now my mortal enemy. No, I think we worked it out over the break. And now he’s coming back to the Avengers, back to his team. A little ambivalent, I think, with a new rig by Tony, which of course he had to put his name on. So Tony. Like I’m gonna not know who made them? And he’s rejoining the team and reintroduced back here in this Wakanda storyline.
"I think there are definitely more questions for Rhodey. I think he was always somewhat straddling with having Tony as a friend and trying to support him and do what he needed, being outside of the lines, but still somehow trying to stay within the chain of command, as the military man that he is. So I think that’s become more fraught, and probably more frayed, as the storylines go forward."
As for how War Machine feels to be working alongside the heroes he actually came to blows with over the Sokovia Accords, it sounds like he's accepting of it but what about #TeamIronMan leader, Tony Stark? "Well, I think at the end of the day that division was not something that was really formed by the characters in the movie. There were outside pressures that created that division. And they ultimately want to be back together. So I think that Tony … I imagine that he’s understanding of it."
As for the relationship between Rhodey and his old pal Tony, Cheadle added: "I haven’t seen him yet. And I’m not sure what it is gonna be. But I think, look, they always have the “taking the piss out of each other” a little bit. But I think their relationship has deepened since the last event. I think Tony feels somewhat responsible and culpable in a way. But again, he’s always had my back in a way. That only he could really have." So, it doesn't sound like things will have changed too much for them!
What do you think about these new Avengers: Infinity War details from the actor? Are you excited to see War Machine join the fight against the Mad Titan in Wakanda? Share your thoughts down below.