The MCU has confirmed in "Secret Invasion" that James "Rhodey" Rhodes will step into Iron Man's shoes in the upcoming "Armor Wars." Rhodey, part of the MCU since 2008's "Iron Man," played a crucial role in rescuing Tony Stark and learning of his superhero identity. While other contenders like Spider-Man and Ironheart emerged, Rhodey emerged as the true heir after Secret Invasion's Skrull revelation.

After Tony Stark's heroic sacrifice in "Endgame," Wakanda and its advanced tech hold a similar role in supplying heroes. Ironheart and Sam Wilson got their gear there. Rhodey was replaced by a Skrull post his Civil War spinal injury. This impacts his character and trauma. In "Armor Wars," he'll tackle this while preventing misuse of his powerful War Machine suits. Parallels exist with Stark: a physical injury and public image redemption, as his Skrull double nearly caused a global conflict.

Though Spider-Man and Ironheart were considered successors, Stark never aimed for Peter Parker to replace him. Spider-Man grew beyond Stark's shadow. Ironheart, too, isn't a direct inheritor. Rhodey, Stark's longtime friend and ally, closely resembles Iron Man. He even took on the mantle in comics. "Armor Wars" sets him up well, as his story mirrors Stark's. In his development and character, War Machine emerges as the ideal replacement for Iron Man.