Terrence Howard is bowing out of Iron Man 2, to be replaced by Don Cheadle.
In this year’s blockbuster Howard played James Rhodes, best friend of Tony Stark and the future War Machine. One scene teased the appearance of War Machine in the sequel — a possibility confirmed last month by director Jon Favreau.
But according to The Hollywood Reporter, negotiations between Marvel Studios and Howard fell through over financial differences, “among other reasons.” So, Marvel turned to Oscar-nominated Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda, Ocean’s Thirteen).
Iron Man 2 opens on April 30, 2010.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Somewhat unfortunate, but nice to have Cheadle on board. I’m curious about the gap between Howard and Marvel here. Wasn’t Howard signed for three films? If so, does that agreement not specify salary? That’s supposing, of course, that “other reasons” weren’t truly the reason Howard jumped ship.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Cheadle rules. Another top notch actor in a Comic movie.
This seals the deal that Iron Man 2 will cover “Demon in the Bottle”
October 14th, 2008 at 9:13 am
The wife will be displeased. She loves Howard and having him in Iron Man made seeing the movie an easy sell. Having him NOT be in Iron Man 2? Methinks I’ll be seeing the movie solo…
October 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am
As long as Paltrow’s failure to act is kept to a minimum, I’m there.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:13 am
HOLY @#$%!!! this is awesome news. Terrence Howard was decent enough, but Don Cheadle as War Machine is just beyond excellent. i hope they give Jim Rhodes the chance to wear the Iron Man armor before Tony comes back in the 3rd act of the film to reclaim the mantle and then gifts Jim the War Machine suit. THAT would be ridiculously sweet. you hearing me, Favreau? are you?!!!
October 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Somebody give me a title that Cheadle is been in that shows he can be the true badass that is War Machine.
Because I didn’t see it in Howard, and I don’t see it in Cheadle.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am
More than a fair trade, but another case of a Marvel movie not able to keep their talent happy and not caring how that looks to fans. ANYONE CAN BE REPLACED!
October 14th, 2008 at 11:55 am
YAY I like Cheadle a lot more. He’s certainly tougher looking. I gotta be honest that I never could picture Terence Howard in the suit.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I thought Howard was fine in IM, but I won’t miss him either. Cheadle’s a good actor, so he should have no problem stepping into the part.
It’s hilarious to read some of the posts over at AICN… People over there are screaming about how the “continuity” is all screwed-up now. Um, The Dark Knight seemed to do just fine after a casting switch. I can’t see how it’s any different for Iron Man.
OK, so Rhodey is more important to the Iron Man mythos (I’ve never used those three words together until now) than the character of Rachel Dawes. Fair enough. My point is that Maggie G. slipped into the (thankless) role and I never once thought about how it wasn’t her in Batman Begins. So it is here. There’s no “continuity” problem. There’s no reason that the script for IM2 (if one even exists at this point) has to be any different for Cheadle than it would’ve been for Howard.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I mean that Rhodey’s more important to Iron Man than Rachel’s important to BATMAN. Not to Iron Man (duh).
Man, I worded that badly.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
“Continuity” chatter at AICN. That’s just the talkbackers trying to get a “rise” out of people such as yourself.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Terrance Howard was THE most unsatisfying casting choice in Iron Man, even more than Paltrow. Nothing about his demeanor or presence was right to portray Rhodey or War Machine. Howard was chosen only because he was “hot” at the moment, which is how characters of color are cast. Don’t get me started on Halle Berry as Storm, Common as Green Lantern…for black characters it’s rarely about the right ACTOR.
Don Cheadle, on the other hand, is an actor’s actor, every bit as capable as Downey. He may not look tough in anything he’s done so far, but the point is, he can play tough, just like Downey can do despite his girly eyes and short stature.
Can we officially dispense with the rappers and cast real actors (like Chiwetel Ejiofor as The Black Panther)?
October 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I just realized that if want an actor who looks like Terrance Howard, they could probably get Cuba Gooding, Jr. for a couple of cases of cheap beer these days.
Poor guy.
In spite of being an Oscar winner, Cheadle’s still the better actor.
@ Buck1906: THE most unsatisfying? I dunno… That old guy they got to play Hugh Hefner, whoever he was, didn’t look anything like Hef! What made Favreau think that guy should’ve been in Iron Man??
October 15th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
@Shaun: Do Terrance Howard and Cuba Gooding look alike to you? The fact that both have been nominated for Oscars for iffy acting in garbage roles says a lot about Hollywood.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hey Buck1906… I don’t know that I think Gooding and Howard look exactly alike, but I think they’re pretty close. Close enough that the first time I saw the IM theatrical poster I thought “WTF? Cuba Gooding Jr.’s in this??”
I’ve never seen Howard in anything else, so far as I know, so I really can’t judge him. If I have seen him in something else, it must not have been memorable ‘cuz I don’t remember it! I do think he was better in IM than Gooding would’ve been. That guy just gets on my nerves.