Don Cheadle Replaces Terrence Howard In "Iron Man 2"

Hollywood Reporter:

Don Cheadle is stepping in to replace Terrence Howard in "Iron Man 2," Marvel Studios' sequel to its summer blockbuster.

In the movie, Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man's best friend and future armor-clad hero War Machine. One scene featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying "Next time," a line that caused great delight for fans.

But there will be no next time for Howard.

Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons. Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor, who is shooting Antoine Fuqua's "Brooklyn's Finest" with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

Rhodes is expected to play a larger part in the sequel, which is rumored to go beyond high-tech villains.

Read the whole story: Hollywood Reporter

Comments

[Agentlady007]

Well, this doesn't surprise me after watching the out-takes in the new DVD of Ironman. Terrence cries his words all the time, and he's a pretty boy, -not that tough. Don was cool in Bulworth and proved he could handle a tough role. I don't think this decision was all about the money. In fact, I don't think it had anything to do with his salary. I think he just sort of blew it/ clash or conflict of interest sort of thing.

Terrence will be fine though. He was very good in Awake as the corrupt doctor to Hayden Christensen. I doubt he's worried over the replacement.

[daemos1]

Terrence Howard was perfect for the role, they should'a paid what he wanted

[mamacat]

No offence, but Don Cheadle is a better actor.

[harriettubman]

I don't know how much Terrence wanted but if that had been a white male actor, they would've given it to him. I have no doubt about that. Look at all the flops some of the actors/actresses have had and yet they still command $20 mill. Angela Bassett is one of the greatest actors out there, in the same league as Julia Roberts or Nicole Kidman but look where she is.

[strangerinthenight]

Neither Roberts nor Kidman could do How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and one very very old movie What's Love Got To Do. Bassett is truly phenomenal, but clearly under rated. Where is Angela Bassett ?

On the race card issue - sort of glad both Cheadle and Howard are African American. Lord Have Mercy. Racism on both sides is entrenched in our national character. This issue of race is specially sensitive, even more so with coming election. I hope there's not going to be riots in the street. Honest - OMG, this will be scary, if we don't change our mind set.

[ry459]

*sigh* You know, this whole race issue just needs to go away. It's a non-issue for most people. Howard's race has nothing to do with what it. It's a matter of how much he wanted vs. how much the studio was willing to pay. The fact they decided to go with Cheadle proves it. Duh. Leave the race card where it belongs, buried at the bottom of the deck. Most people don't give a damn about what your skin color is, only in what you bring to the table. Get over it already. Oh...and for all you people who call yourselves African-Americans...guess what? You're really just Americans...just like everybody else who was born in this country. The sooner people realize that, the sooner the "race" issue will disappear. Think about it.

[harriettubman]

She's guest starring on ER. The woman should be making powerful movies every year and given a chance to make some flops like Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, J. Lo.

My post wasn't a race card issue. It is an issue of whether Hollywood would've paid a white actor his fee. I read that's why Terrence was let go and Cheadle brought in.

Having taught Cultural Diversity, I'm not a race card player. I'm a justice player and race is not a sensitive issue to me because I will call a spade a spade regardless of who's playing the deck.

[EinChicago]

"Neither Roberts nor Kidman would want to doHow Stella Got Her Groove Back'
Corrected for accuracy. Considering what a god awful crap fest that movie was, why would anyone have wnated to do it?

[WRPrintz]

Jim Rhodes is important to the story of Iron Man, and Mr. Howard did a great job playing him, and is a solid actor. Don Cheadle is one of the best actors we have working...but he really does not look, at all, like Jim Rhodes. Don is a small man, and wiry. Sure, he has got talent x10 his size, but that will not fix this casting.

Better they make him a new character, and leave Jim Rhodes "in the field", IMHO.

[strangerinthenight]

Great idea !

[dubster]

This is unfortunate for sure. I think Don Cheadle is an overrated actor. Alternatively, I've seen Terrence Howard in many films and have concluded that he is vastly underrated. This is regrettable. Moreover, I hate that studios change actors in between films it's aggravating but I know it certainly doesn't keep people from pouring into the theaters regardless.

[Myshkin57]

Terence Howard's all right, but I think this is a step up. Don Cheadle is one of the best actors in movies.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

The role is in good hands, either way.

Rust easy.

[DogTown]

I think Terrance Howard will be missed in the new movie!

[qdog112]

Cheadle is a great actor and Howard will not be missed.

[DundeeNatalSA]

It doesn't matter to me who plays Rhodes only that Downey Jr is Iron Man.

[Myshkin57]

Rhodey is gonna have a bigger role in one of the next movies. As those of us who were nerdy kids can tell you, Rhodey was Iron Man, and not Stark, for quite a while. And, the end of the first movie suggests that that might happen in the next movie because Stark will realize it was foolish to reveal himself to be Iron Man and will need to convince people otherwise.

[Le nombril]

Both are great actors. I wish them both the best. I saw an interview with Howard not too long ago. He was incredible smart, witty, charming and very funny. And Cheadle is a fabulous actor. Both deserve to be big stars.

[YouDisgustMe]

umm....couldn't they replace terrence howard with someone that at least looks like him (e.g. robert ri'chard)...or someone who at least has similar skin complexion (e.g. will smith, ludacris)?

no? ok...

[strangerinthenight]

Both are good actors. For those who have seen Iron Man many times, it's going to be difficult to replace Rhoades persona, one that Terence Howard portrayed quite well. There is this endearing connection between Rhodes and IM. Don't feel sorry for Howard - he's got credentials. He may have not been the lead, but without the Rhoad character, IM couldn't have been the same. Movies would still be lining up.

It will be quite interesting to see if the connection will be there, and I don't mean just uttering their dialoques. But then again, I've seen Cheadle in Hotel Rhowanda, and that role was Oscar worhty. Having said that, I will have a hard time replacing The Rhode/Howard physicality. Cheadle physicality alone is so much different, even foreign.

That won't prevent me from seeing IM2.

[Mysticalsister]

What a shame that Howard is out, but then these things happen. Since I love Don Cheadle, I'll get over it. I wonder if Howard will, since I think this is going to be a big successful franchise.

Oh why do greed and ego always have to get in the way?