The Avengers Where the hell was War Machine? [Spoilers]

[leke101]

I'm from London and I just finished watching The Avengers(fantastic superhero ensemble film by the way).

One thing that really bugged me was the absence of War Machine.Fair enough, due to the already high budget and the already large cast, having War Machine in the film would probably unbalance the story and I accept that. However, they could have least mentioned or alluded to War Machine's existence. I mean the film managed to cameo Pepper Potts and mention Jane Foster.

It would have been great if in the battle in New York, Tony Stark would have tried to contact War Machine or at least have mentioned his name. For example, Stark could have said: "Why did Rhodey have to be on army training. Sure could use his help right now" Understandably, War Machine(James Rhodes) is part of the army but I don't see why War Machine wouldn't have least been contacted by SHIELD or mentioned. It's just a little thing i fount a bit jarring in an otherwise superior superhero ensemble.

Thoughts?

 

[Roose Bolton]

He was at Don Cheadle's house.

 

[Incredible Hans]

Yeah, I hope they explain it in IM3.

SHIELD had problems with recruiting Stark because he is irresponsible and no team player. Accordingly, War Machine should've been been their first choice.

 

[leke101]

Exactly, War Machine should have been recruited but I felt maybe War Machine joining The Avengers Initiative might conflict with his duties in the US Army. Still, I find it strange that War Machine, who is just as powerful as Iron Man with a pilot who is more serious and battle trained than Stark, is not mentioned at all in the film. Yeah, IM3 should explain this or I will see it as a plot hole, albeit a small one.

 

[Herolee10]

1. War Machine could have been on the other side of the world or somewhere far enough where he couldn't get to NYC in time to participate in the battle.

2. I think EMH's (the series) explained something like this best on how Rhodey in the show said that he doesn't want to be a superhero and only uses the suit to protect Tony. Maybe Rhodey didn't want to get involved with SHIELD and with being a part of the Avengers initiative.

 

[yads]

I honestly didn't once think "Where's War Machine?" watching TA. The problem isn't War Machine's absence, but it might end up being "Where's Thor, CA etc?" come Iron Man 3.

 

[Nevincer]

Hmm. I never actually crossed my mind at the time, but I guess that's true.

 

[leke101]

Those are some good theories, herolee10 but I really wish there was a brief mention about him. For example on the Hellicarrier scene:

Fury: Stark, we may need some more fire power. Could we contact your friend, Rhodes, to lend us a hand.

Stark: Not a chance. Rhodes doesn't want to be part of The Avengers Initative and besides, he's half away across the world on some army parade.

It would take no more than 40 seconds and would have really made the MCU a lot more connected and authentic. It's not a big deal but it is slightly annoying. Hopefully, in 30 mins of deleted scenes, there is a mention of War Machine.

 

[Casius--J]

Yeah a little mention of the where abouts Rhodes is should have been included. Thats the problem when you make a big universe like this, you're going to get these questions.

I agree with Incredible Hans, hopefully we'll find out in IM3

 

[Nevincer]

It's funny how they went out of their way to give Jane a reference, but not Rhodes.

 

[Steelsheen]

honestly, the thought of where War Machine was didnt even cross my mind. not even when the Army rolled into the city (which should've been an obvious prompt). i think for in-character reasons Rhodey, which represents the military, wouldnt be hired/ would be kept out of knowing about the Avengers for the practical reason that they wouldnt want any of the armed services to know that there is a super-secret spy network that oftentimes supersedes their authority. i mean just look at the current friction between the armed services and the CIA/ NSA now.

 

[leke101]

Steelsheen: Possibly, but I really doubt Tony would have hid it from Rhodes. Also, in the Incredible Hulk, Tony approaches General Ross about The Avengers Initiative so clearly the army must already know about SHIELD.

 

[captainrogers]

Rhodes is military.
He can't just pick up sticks and go off and fight whomever and whenever he pleases.
SHIELD is not directly over him.
Also, Stark probably took back possession of the armor at some point in the 2 ish years between IM2 and TA.
Rhodes is also (at the time of IM2) held the rank of Lt Col. In the USAF.
Which means that he may very well be a squadron Commander.
Looked like he had an enormous amount of clout on his base and him being able to go off is FURTHER hindered by this responsibilities.
There's also the VERY good possibility that he could be on a deployment rotation.
Haven't seen TA yet, but going into this film, I'm not really going to be wondering where Rhodes is.
Yeah Rhodes may be the 'ideal' choice to pilot the suit, but he has legally has to take orders, and There might come a time where the military would want him to try and try replicate the suit. I'm sure Tony wouldn't want that.
Besides, if you wanna see War Machine in IM3, the armor is best left in Tony's possession in the interim, for modifications,updates and repairs.

 

[Mjölnir]

The Avengers film is the funvee. Rhodes has no place there.

 

[cherokeesam]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who wondered this.

I've already asked that question many times back in the past few months, and ran into a ton of haters on this forum who think that War Machine shouldn't be an Avenger (which is funny, because he *is* an Avenger in the comic books), and even wish he wasn't in the Iron Man movies, either.

 

[TacomaTruck90]

think of this way to, He is in the military he cant just pick up and play super hero when ever he feels like it....He probally orders since idk there was an alien invasion going lol ...

 

[Moridin]

I think we can assume Rhodey was in California, so even if he jumped in the suit and took off how long would it take to get to NY? A few hours maybe? By then the invasion would have been stopped.

He should have had a mention though. Maybe in IM3 Stark will give him some s*** about not being around to save the world and Rhodes will say they stopped it before he could get there.


As for Rhodey being a better candidate for the Avengers with his training, personality, etc; Maybe SHIELD did try to recruit him but the Military didn't want to give up such an asset; or Rhodes doesn't want anything to do with SHIELD because he doesn't like the way they opperate.

 

[Troy_Parker]

I honestly didn't once think "Where's War Machine?" watching TA. The problem isn't War Machine's absence, but it might end up being "Where's Thor, CA etc?" come Iron Man 3.

Nah. Remember how everyone went their separate ways at the end of the movie?

 

[Drummerdude7]

Eh, I didn't care very much about where War Machine was tbh.

I can see Tony giving Rhodes humorous grief for it in the next film.

"I've fought an alien army, what have you done recently?"

 

[Chewy]

He was in a cave, with no box of scraps

 

[Iron_Stark]

Where the hell was War Machine?

Answer: Who cares.

He's not needed in this movie or any other upcoming movie.

 

[Pinky021]

Exactly, War Machine should have been recruited but I felt maybe War Machine joining The Avengers Initiative might conflict with his duties in the US Army. Still, I find it strange that War Machine, who is just as powerful as Iron Man with a pilot who is more serious and battle trained than Stark, is not mentioned at all in the film. Yeah, IM3 should explain this or I will see it as a plot hole, albeit a small one.

SHIELD recruited Tony Stark because he's a genius, not Rhodey...

 

[marcvader]

Answer: Who cares.

He's not needed in this movie or any other upcoming movie.

Agreed 100%. He's a redundant character even in the comics.

 

[Son of Coul]

Last time we saw him his armor was ****ed up pretty bad. Who's to say Rhodey didn't just give the armor back to Stark and let it be a one time thing?

 

[peterparker0077]

If you remember the end of IM2, the war machine suit still belongs to Stark. He asked for it back, and Rhodey said basically "not yet", but I personally assumed he would return it and that would of taken place it in the years between IM2 and TA.