War Machine co-creator Bob Layton has been chatting away recently with MTV News about the character's representation in
IRon Man 2. With the film only several months away from international release, Mr. Layton delves deeper into how War Machine could play an integral role in future Marvel projects.
Most fans thought the War Machine character wouldn't take center stage until a third Iron Man movie; Layton had this to say:
"I think there are a variety of reasons to have the War Machine character in [Iron Man 2]. If they’re doing the ‘Avengers’ film, they always have the option of using War Machine instead of Iron Man depending upon what happens contractually. I’m just speculating, I have no idea… But there’s always the possibility that if it does well, it can spin off. Because obviously there’s a different character and a different motivation with War Machine than there is with Tony Stark.”
Now that War Machine will become an established part of the Iron Man movie mythos, what would the future hold for him in a possible sequel?
“I think they’ve come up with a terrific segue to the third film, which I think is going to be fairly powerful,” said Layton.
“My understanding is that the third film could very well be the ‘Demon in a Bottle’ story mixed in there with everything and I’m kind of looking forward to that, if that’s where they wind up going.”
Demon in a Bottle was a nine-issue Iron Man story arc released in 1979 that focused on Tony Stark's battle with alcoholism. As Tony succumbs to his addiction, his company and reputation are being tarnished by Justin Hammer. Jim Rhodes/War Machine played a major role in the series.
As far as the rumor circulating that actress Kate Mara has been cast as Bethany Cabe in the Iron Man movies, Layton said:
“I think there was a rumor on IMDB that Kate Mara was playing Bethany Cabe. But that’s not the case. I think she plays an FBI agent briefly in the movie. There are no plans for Bethany Cabe in this movie, as far as I know.
“I’m really excited about the second film,” Layton said.
“I pretty much know the story backwards and forwards. I got a chance to talk to [Screenwriters] Justin Theroux and Jon Favreau in great detail about it. You’re going to see some stuff that’s going to blow you away. I have no doubt that when we get to the finale of the film that everyone is going to be impressed with what they’ve come up with.”
Information courtesy of MTV News