Marvel Cinematic Universe profile: A look at Don Cheadle’s career

Although Don Cheadle is the second actor to portray James Rhodes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is categorically accepted as the quintessential cinematic War Machine.

After Terrence Howard originated the live-action adaptation of Rhodey in Iron Man, Don Cheadle took the reins and took the character to new heights in both Iron Man sequels, as well as other Marvel Cinematic Universe team-ups. In a way, he is the MCU’s one and only War Machine, since Howard’s Rhodey only ever dreamed of suiting up in the first film, even leaving us with the promise of “next time, baby.” When it was Rhodes time to fly, Cheadle got to have all the fun.

He first dons one of Tony’s designs in Iron Man 2 after his best friend recklessly gets drunk and goes out of control at a party. War Machine steps in to shut down Iron Man before he can accidentally hurt somebody. In a slight betrayal on Rhodey’s part, he hands over the suit to the government and agrees to work with Justin Hammer. Though, he does graduate from Colonel to superhero proper when he soars alongside Iron Man to contest Whiplash and the Hammer drones.

After missing out on the first Avenger gathering, Cheadle has a large role in Iron Man 3, where he briefly goes by the moniker Iron Patriot. Reverting back to War Machine, he later joins in on all subsequent Avenger assemblies; Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Cheadle smoothly frames a binary personality for Rhodes, where his militaristic posture instantly earns honor and respect, while his more spirited disposition completes his unwavering likability, which also explains his placement as one of Tony Stark’s closest friends. Perhaps the best example of Cheadle’s ability to operate in a simultaneously serious and humorous space is in Civil War when he becomes paralyzed and demonstrates the struggle of an injured combatant learning to walk again, then instantly taunts Iron Man when Stan the mailman calls his buddy “Tony Stank.”

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In Endgame, he forms a bond with Nebula; they both have a no-nonsense, get the job done attitude, and they both physically function with mechanical parts. His pairing with the former Guardians villainess does situate him in the ranks as one of the steelier Avengers, as he and Nebula agree that Star-Lord is kind of an idiot. Toward the end of the epic box-office behemoth, Rhodey loses his best friend, and Cheadle’s speechless reactions are tear-jerking.

Throughout the MCU series, Rhodey also finds a sidekick companion in Falcon, as both are military veterans. They argue over the Sokovia Accords like comfortable acquaintances with political differences in Civil War, then work together as the two airborne Avengers in Infinity War’s Wakandan battle. War Machine is the one who searches for Falcon when he disappears after Thanos’ snap.

Still, Cheadle casually inserts Rhodey’s sense of humor as a way to break through serious situations, like finding the time when fighting the Ultron army to note that it will make a good War Machine story, calling back to an earlier anecdote in Age of Ultron. He also pranks Bruce Banner into bowing in front of Black Panther during Infinity War and eases the tension in the room when the Avengers are deciding who should risk wearing the Iron Gauntlet in Endgame – Rhodey jokes that Thor has cheese wizz flowing through his veins.

An argument could be made that Cheadle applies similar tactics throughout his career. Almost all of his parts in Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy are infused with a light touch that fit with the playful, heist series. As a straight FBI agent in John Michael McDonagh’s British cop comedy, The Guard, Cheadle bounces off Brendan Gleeson’s mumbling and bumbling Irish officer to often hilarious results.

In fact, Cheadle has made a living playing opposite lead actors exceptionally well even before having Iron Man’s back in the MCU. He is Nicolas Cage’s angel in The Family Man; another film where he works comedy into his routine. But he is even more captivating in commanding dramatic roles alongside the talents of Sean Penn, Adam Sandler, and Denzel Washington in The Assassination of Richard Nixon, Reign Over Me, and Flight, respectively.

After starting out in the 1980s by giving audiences a glimpse of his skills in the Vietnam War film Hamburger Hill and the crime drama Colors, he gained even more notoriety in the following decade working under John Singleton in Rosewood, Paul Thomas Anderson in Boogie Nights, and Steven Soderbergh in Out of Sight and Traffic. He gradually paved his path to stardom.

Cheadle saves some of his best performances for his starring roles, naturally. Hotel Rwanda is his most riveting and inspirational turn as the real-life hotel manager who defiantly saves thousands of refugees. His efforts evoke both deep despair and exuberant celebration. He follows Rwanda up with another multifaceted character; a controversial radio host in Talk to Me, which is the most lively and audacious one will ever find Cheadle to be. The same decade, he also starred in the Oscar winning race-fueled ensemble Crash – with one of the larger roles among an extensive cast.

Cheadle more recently shows off some swagger as Miles Davis in Miles Ahead, while also digging into the legendary musician’s social detachment and disintegrating career. Cheadle directed the biographical film, demonstrating that he is a better actor than director, as the plot unfortunately meanders and the film as a whole has an inconsistent tone.

Don Cheadle’s Top 10 Movie Roles

1. Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda
2. Petey Greene in Talk to Me
3. Graham Waters in Crash
4. War Machine/James Rhodes in the MCU
5. Sylvester Carrier in Rosewood
6. Alan Johnson in Reign Over Me
7. Miles Davis in Miles Ahead
8. Agent Wendell Everett in The Guard
9. Hugh Lang in Flight
10. Montel Gordon in Traffic

Don Cheadle’s MCU role is right below his top three, particularly because of the way he develops the second-string Avenger so effectively over six films. He fills out War Machine with reflective and telling character moments. In comparison, he is not afforded the opportunity to make as big an impact in the Ocean’s trilogy.

Despite confirmation that other Avenger actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans are permanently departing the franchise, much less is discussed about Cheadle’s future involvements. He did act as one of Black Widow’s Avenger lieutenants after the decimation event while Iron Man retired to his family but, now that the other heroes are restored and his friend Sam will be taking over as Captain America, it seems likely that War Machine will be hanging up his armor.