In a recent interview with GQ, actor Sam Rockwell shared his experience in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and how he ended up playing the role of Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2. Interestingly, Rockwell had initially auditioned for the role of Tony Stark but lost out to Robert Downey Jr., who went on to become synonymous with the character.
Rockwell revealed that his partner, Leslie Bibb, had a role in the first Iron Man film. Before its release, he had dinner with the cast and crew who were understandably nervous about the movie's reception. However, the film turned out to be a massive hit, paving the way for further MCU installments.
Later on, Rockwell approached his friend Justin Theroux, who was involved in writing Iron Man 2, and expressed his interest in being part of the film. Rockwell's request led to the creation of the character Justin Hammer, a rival industrialist competing with Tony Stark for fame and respect. Originally, the main villain of the film was intended to be Mickey Rourke's Whiplash seeking revenge against Stark. However, the creative team decided to split the villain role, introducing Hammer as Whiplash's benefactor.
Since his appearance in Iron Man 2, Rockwell's portrayal of Justin Hammer has gained a dedicated fan following. Despite not appearing in live-action since the 2014 one-shot All Hail The King, the character remains a fan-favorite antagonist who desperately craves the same level of recognition as Tony Stark.
However, fans of Rockwell's Hammer were delighted when the actor recently returned to voice the character in Marvel's What If...? season 2, episode 3. This animated series explores alternate storylines within the MCU. In this particular episode, Hammer breaks into Avengers Tower on Christmas Eve, creating chaos in a reality where things don't go as planned for our beloved heroes.
Moreover, there is potential for a live-action MCU return for Hammer in the near future. Marvel Studios is developing Armor Wars, a series centered around Don Cheadle's War Machine as he safeguards Iron Man's legacy. Given Hammer's devious nature and his desire to tarnish Stark's reputation, he would fit well as a primary antagonist seeking to corrupt Iron Man's legacy in the absence of Tony Stark, who met his demise in Avengers: Endgame.
Iron Man 2, the third film in the MCU, takes place approximately six months after the events of the original Iron Man. Tony Stark finds himself battling both the government's demands to share his technology and the deteriorating effects of the technology he used to save his own life. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Ivan Vanko, portrayed by Mickey Rourke, appears on the scene seeking vengeance and intending to settle a long-standing score with the Stark family.
As fans eagerly await the future of the MCU and potential appearances of iconic characters like Justin Hammer, it's clear that Sam Rockwell's performance in Iron Man 2 left a lasting impact. Whether he returns in live-action or continues to lend his voice to animated projects, Rockwell's portrayal of the ambitious and manipulative Hammer has firmly established the character as a significant presence within the Marvel Universe.
