The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has a golden opportunity to revive the career of an actor whose potential was overlooked nearly seven years ago. With the recent cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday, it’s evident that the MCU’s expansive roster remains underutilized. Featuring 27 actors, this ensemble is merely a glimpse into the vast array of talent Marvel possesses, including celebrated stars like Robert Downey Jr., Cate Blanchett, and Michael Douglas. Unfortunately, several prominent actors have taken on lesser roles, causing their contributions to be somewhat forgotten.
Take Bill Skarsgard, for instance; few realize he lent his voice to Kro in Eternals. Similarly, Sterling K. Brown’s brief yet pivotal appearance as Killmonger’s father, N’Jobu, in Black Panther, often goes unmentioned. Then there is Walton Goggins, acclaimed for his versatile performances yet constrained to a secondary villain role in the MCU. Goggins portrayed Sonny Burch, a character who could shine in an upcoming project, specifically Armor Wars, although the fate of this title is uncertain.
Walton Goggins as Sonny Burch in Ant-Man and the Wasp
Goggins’ Role as a Minor Antagonist
While Goggins is best known for his impressive roles on television, including his current performances as Rick in The White Lotus season 3 and Uncle Baby Billy in The Righteous Gemstones, he has also made significant strides in film. His range spans from comedic roles to more sinister characters, a versatility that Marvel capitalized on when they cast him in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
In the film, Goggins depicted Sonny Burch, a black-market tech dealer blinded by greed. He aimed to capitalize on the lucrative potential of Quantum technology, rivaling Ghost as they both pursued Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne. Despite his arrest at the end of the film, Burch’s legacy continues in altered forms, appearing briefly in the animated series What If…?.
Sonny Burch: An Ideal Antagonist for Armor Wars
Exploiting Stark Tech Post-Tony Stark
Originally announced in 2020, Armor Wars was initially intended for Disney+, focusing on James Rhodes’ efforts to protect Tony Stark’s legacy by preventing his technology from falling into the wrong hands. While Don Cheadle has been confirmed, there has been little news regarding other cast members or a release date. Speculations abound regarding potential villains, including Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer, who has a notorious history with Stark.
Sonny Burch presents a compelling possibility as someone eager to exploit the gap left by Stark’s demise. His pursuit of profit at any cost would lead him to leverage Stark’s technology for substantial profit on the black market. Though he has faced legal challenges, much like other Marvel villains, it would not be surprising to see Burch emerge stronger, syncing with the current fascination for complex, morally ambiguous characters in superhero narratives.
Current Status of Armor Wars
The Uncertain Future of the Project
Although Armor Wars has not been officially canceled, its development appears to be in limbo. After two years since its announcement, the project transitioned from a series to a feature film, yet remains without firm details such as a director or a release date. Marvel producer Nate Moore offered some insight into its status:
“You know, that’s not my project, to be honest. But, I do know, as Marvel [Studios] continues to go through this phase, we want to make sure whatever we’re making is awesome. So that means we had to slow down some things that were on the front burner. It doesn’t mean we’ll never make it, but it does mean we just have to be a little bit more considered so that every time out, audiences are guaranteed quality.”
While it is disappointing to see Armor Wars in a state of uncertainty given its narrative and character potential, it’s not entirely unexpected. The MCU is shifting focus towards enhancing quality over quantity, and exploring another story centered around Stark’s legacy may feel redundant, especially with Robert Downey Jr.’s anticipated return in Avengers: Doomsday. Nonetheless, reviving Goggins as Burch would bring fresh life to Marvel’s offerings, reinforcing its commitment to rediscovering and utilizing its talented yet underused actors.