Marvel star announces MCU contract is up after seven films

One Marvel actor is about to be free from his multi-year commitment to the franchise, and no, it’s not Chris Hemsworth.

Of course, that’s not to say Hemsworth’s time as the God of Thunder isn't up - when the A-lister was doing press rounds for the latest Thor film this summer he did say Love and Thunder *might* be his last outing as the ripped Asgardian. 

But after seven Marvel films and a Disney+ show, one superhero in particular could soon hang up his helmet. 

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Don Cheadle, who’s played Colonel James Rhodes (aka War Machine) since 2010 confirmed in a recent interview that his Marvel contract is now up after he appeared in seven films and two TV shows.

He first appeared as War Machine in Iron Man 2, replacing Terrence Howard in the role in the wake of pay disputes.

He's since made appearances in Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, along with a cameo in Captain Marvel's mid-credits scene. He's also appeared in Disney+ TV shows The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and What If...?.

Cheadle will star opposite Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury in Secret Invasion, which drops early next year, and will also appear in Armour Wars, which is yet to be given a release date. 

Speaking at Disney’s D23 Expo earlier this month, Cheadle revealed he’d come to the end of his pre-contracted time with Marvel.

“I’m done with my contracted years in the MCU,” he told Variety. 

However, the actor did hint he’d be up for another Marvel project if it ‘sounded fun enough’.

Cheadle added: “Now, it’s just like, if something sounds fun and I’m presented with it, then yeah, let’s go.”

He also explained that Secret Invasion will set up Armour Wars, sharing: “This sets up what happens in Armour Wars.

“In the trailer, you see that he’s gonna confront Nick Fury. He and Fury are gonna go at it throughout this show as far as what they need to do, given what’s happened on this planet at this point.”

Cheadle continued: “It’s kind of a thriller. It’s a different kind of show than you usually see in the MCU, which is great that we continue to change it up and switch it up. It’s a lot of fun.”

Based on the comic book story of the same name, Secret Invasion depicts an invasion on Earth by alien shape-shifters called Skrulls.

The Skrulls have been seen on screen inhabiting the bodies of the MCU heroes over the years.

As for Armour Wars, Cheadle confirmed at D23 that the show will start filming next year.