Captain America: Civil War – Who’s Battling Who And Why?

James Rhodes/War Machine

James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle) is, without doubt, in Iron Man’s corner. An early proponent of government oversight of the Iron Man suit, Rhodes has been consistently locked in his own simmering conflict with Stark, in an attempt to have him submit to authority.

Prior to Iron Man’s involvement with the Avengers, Tony Stark spent a large percentage of screen time arguing that government oversight of his activities was not only unnecessary, but would be a hindrance to his heroism. This stance has gradually but assuredly changed to be more in line with that of James Rhodes – a military man, sworn to protect the populace.

While the issue has historically caused a great deal of tension between the two men, they have remained steadfast friends, to the extent that Rhodes has taken on this alternate version of the Iron Man suit, as War Machine. His own attitude has remained largely unchanged, and he happily fights alongside Iron Man as a team – especially now that Iron Man willingly submits to authority.

War Machine will predictably support the government line – that widespread damage and death, wrought by superheroes acting unchecked, must be actively prevented. Despite his loyalty to Iron Man, however, War Machine will be taking that stand because of loyalty to the citizenry.