Tony Stark’s demise in Avengers: Endgame stands out as one of the most profound emotional moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Recent narrative adjustments offer clarity on certain aspects of his passing that were previously perplexing. Having initiated the MCU with Iron Man in 2008, Stark was essential to the franchise’s emotional core. Leading up to his fateful moment, he made pivotal choices that irrevocably influenced the MCU, including a surprising decision not to involve Rhodey in his posthumous plans.
Rhodey, also known as War Machine, has been a constant ally of Tony’s, evolving into a vital character as the MCU progressed and even joining the Avengers. However, a shocking revelation in the series Secret Invasion disclosed that Rhodey was not the person everyone believed him to be for an extended period. This twist significantly alters the understanding of events preceding Stark’s death, suggesting a rationale behind Stark’s seemingly odd decision to exclude Rhodey from his legacy plans.
How Avengers: Endgame’s Retcon Sheds Light on Iron Man’s Gift to Spider-Man
In the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark entrusted Peter Parker with EDITH, an intricate AI and defense system that stands for Even Dead, I’m The Hero. The plot of Spider-Man: Far From Home hinges on Mysterio manipulating Peter into granting him access to this potent technology. Considering the grave risks associated with EDITH, Tony’s choice to hand it over to Peter instead of Rhodey raises eyebrows.
As it turns out, with Rhodey having been secretly replaced by a Skrull during the events leading up to Endgame, it is conceivable that Tony sensed something amiss. Ultimately, Stark’s decision to give EDITH to Peter seems more justifiable when viewed through this new lens.
Skrull Revelations Illuminate Other Aspects of Iron Man’s Journey
The intrigue around Skrulls was significantly amplified with the Secret Invasion series, which indicated that certain well-known characters were actually Skrull imposters. Rhodey’s transformation into a Skrull purportedly took place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. This development retroactively alters the narrative surrounding several of Iron Man’s decisions, particularly highlighting the nature of Tony’s bond with Rhodey.
The implications of Stark’s decision regarding EDITH become clearer when one considers the possibility that he had reservations about Rhodey due to this situation. Acknowledging that Rhodey may not have been entirely himself during this time could explain Tony’s choice to pass the mantle to someone else.
Exploring the Skrull Twist’s Impact on Iron Man’s Legacy in the MCU
Despite hints at the significance of Skrulls infiltrating key characters, the MCU has yet to fully explore the ramifications of this reveal outside of a select few scenes and Secret Wars. The future implications for Marvel Studios remain somewhat uncertain, especially considering the mixed reception of Secret Invasion. However, a timely opportunity awaits in the form of the upcoming project, Armor Wars.
Armor Wars, which began as a series in December 2020 and has since transitioned into a film, is set to feature Don Cheadle reprising his role as Rhodey. Taking place after Endgame, it’s poised to delve into Rhodey’s struggle with his legacy following Stark’s absence, as well as address the repercussions of his time as a Skrull. This narrative could offer profound insights into how Tony Stark viewed Rhodey prior to his passing.
Rhodey has been integral to the MCU from the inception, evolving into War Machine from Iron Man 2 onwards. Despite their close friendship, Tony’s decision not to pass EDITH to him appeared unexpected. Yet, with the retcon of Rhodey’s character through Secret Invasion, Stark’s choice to rather entrust it to Spider-Man carries new significance, encouraging audiences to contemplate the complexities of friendship and trust in a universe rife with deception.
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