Two years after Iron Man ushered within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and turned Robert Downey Jr. into one in every of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, Iron Man 2 noticed his model of Tony Stark clashing with Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer, a rival weapons producer who teamed up with Mickey Rourke’s Ivan Vanko. Rockwell later reprised Hammer for the brief movie All Hail the King and an episode of the Disney+ subscription-exclusive animated collection What If… ?, however we nonetheless have but to see him return as a distinguished character within the MCU. Nicely, that’s not due to a scarcity of curiosity on Rockwell’s a part of being in an upcoming Marvel film or upcoming Marvel TV present.
Justin Hammer got here up whereas Sam Rockwell was chatting about his 2025 film launch The Unhealthy Guys 2 with ComicBook. When requested if he was bored with getting requested about his MCU character and the franchise, the actor responded:
Nicely, I’m a nerd too, so I don’t, no. I’m ready for the decision. Hasn’t are available but, however I’m ready. I heard they’re taking pictures Avengers someplace. I’m not there.
Not that anybody was anticipating in any other case, however at the very least now we will formally add the dearth of Justin Hammer to the issues we find out about Avengers: Doomsday. Nonetheless, even with a lot time having handed since Iron Man 2, Sam Rockwell is totally sport to return to the MCU. These sorts of query don’t tire him out as a result of he’s additionally simply as curious, if no more so, about if Justin will ever resurface.
As a result of What If… ? confirmed a Justin Hammer from an alternate universe, we haven’t checked in with the Sacred Timeline model of him since All Hail the King was included as a particular function on Thor: The Darkish World’s dwelling media launch. On the finish of the brief movie, Justin was proven to be in the identical jail as Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery and irritated at how a lot consideration the Iron Man 3 villain was getting. Given the crimes he dedicated, it stands to motive that Justin remains to be behind bars, however there’s no motive he couldn’t be damaged out.
The query then turns into the place it could make sense to incorporate Justin Hammer subsequent, and looking out over the slate of MCU initiatives on the best way, none appear to be a superb match for him. There was a time when Armor Wars would have a fantastic platform for Justin Hammer to make his grand return, because the story would comply with Don Cheadle’s James Rhodes monitoring down individuals who’ve stolen Tony Stark’s expertise. Nonetheless, as of late it’s unclear the place issues stand with Armor Wars, because it nonetheless doesn’t have a launch date.
Nicely, Kevin Feige and the remainder of Marvel Studios’ inventive heads know easy methods to get in contact with Sam Rockwell in the event that they ever determine to carry again Justin Hammer. For now, catch the actor reprising Mr. Wolf in The Unhealthy Guys 2 beginning on August 1 in theaters, and stream his look on The White Lotus from earlier this yr with an HBO Max subscription.