It goes without saying that the upcoming release of Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be the movie event of the year. The 39th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is set to feature Robert Downey Jr.’s highly-anticipated return to the franchise as he debuts the new role of villain Doctor Doom. It’s all part of the Multiverse Saga, which is preparing to conclude with both this film and its 2027 sequel Avengers: Secret Wars.
It’s also set to feature a who’s who of Marvel stars, with 27+ major names confirmed for the film already. We also know that Chris Evans is set to make his long-awaited return to the MCU in the role of Steve Rogers, the original Captain America. Other major names expected to appear (in spite of being unconfirmed as of yet) are Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange and Hayley Atwell’s Agent Peggy Carter.
However, there is one Marvel star who won’t be back.
Sam Rockwell rules out Avengers: Doomsday comeback as Justin Hammer
Sam Rockwell recently made an appearance on Good Morning America to discuss his new movie Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. During the interview, he was asked about the possibility of reprising his Marvel role as Justin Hammer in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The actor revealed that he wasn’t asked back for the movie, taking it all in good spirits and telling Marvel Studios he’s waiting for the call:
“I wish. You know, my phone isn’t ringing, man. I don’t know. I’m waiting for the call for Justin Hammer. Justin Hammer… Let’s get it going, man. Uh, no, I don’t know anything about it.”
When asked if he’d like to play the character again, he responded “Sure” and offered a playfully concerned grin at the camera to close out what was a brilliant interview on a light note. And it goes without saying that it’s a moment that has Marvel fans talking.
Rockwell portrayed Justin Hammer all the way back in 2010’s Iron Man 2. A rival of Tony Stark’s, Hammer is incredibly jealous of the creation of the Iron Man suit and sets out to create his own weapon in an egotistical attempt to outdo the future Avenger. He then aligns himself with Mickey Rourke’s Whiplash in a bid to take the fight to his archenemy before Pepper Potts ultimately helps get him arrested.
Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2 (2010). | Image courtesy Marvel Studios
With Avengers: Doomsday set to act as a conclusion to the MCU as we know it (or, again, a Part 1 to that conclusion ahead of Avengers: Secret Wars), all kinds of Marvel names have come up in fan discussions as potential returnees. Rockwell has been among them, as Justin Hammer wasn’t killed off in Iron Man 2, so it would be entirely possible to have some kind of short cameo of the character as he is still imprisoned. Then again, he could also play a multiversal variant intent on taking over the legacy of Tony Stark.
If Rockwell were to return to the role in one of the upcoming Avengers movies, it would mark one of the longest gaps for an actor between live-action MCU appearances. However, it wouldn’t be the first time that Rockwell has reprised the role of Justin Hammer, as he voiced an alternate version of the character in the second season of What If…?, guest-starring in the season 2 episode “What If… Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?”.
So, he has been in touch with Marvel in recent years to make that return happen. The question is: Could it eventually lead to a live-action comeback? Truthfully, yes – we just don’t know if any of the upcoming Avengers movies would be he right fit for that.
As it stands, the project that we could eventually see Rockwell return in is Armor Wars. Originally announced as a Disney Plus miniseries in 2020, it was set to feature Don Cheadle’s return as Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, in a plot that saw Tony Stark’s legacy up in the air when the Iron Man technology falls into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, after being reimagined as a movie, the project hasn’t had any major developments in years, leading fans to believe that it might have been scrapped after the studio’s pivot away from high-budget miniseries.
Nevertheless, Rockwell sounds like he’s open to an MCU return at some point in time and we really hope it comes to fruition. The Academy Award-winning actor was undoubtedly one of the best aspects of Iron Man 2 and we’d love to see him get another go at Justin Hammer in the modern day of the MCU. Make it happen, Marvel!
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.
This article was originally published on www.bamsmackpow.com as Marvel star reveals he wasn’t asked to return in Avengers: Doomsday: ‘I wish’.