Iron Man was a bona-fide summer blockbuster and Terrance Howard, who was star Robert Downey Jr’s best friend in the film, was all but guaranteed a sequel in the story line, to come back as War Machine. The only way to foul that opportunity up is to take it for granted that you can’t be replaced, and Howard appears to have overestimated his irreplaceability.
In moviemaker Jon Favreau’s sequel, Iron Man 2, Terrance Howard’s character, Jim Rhodes, has been given to Don Cheadle.
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. Justin Theroux is writing the screenplay.
Jon Favreau is returning as director, and Robert Downey Jr. is expected back as billionaire industrialist Stark/Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to be back as Stark’s assistant, Pepper Potts.
[From The Hollywood Reporter]
I may be in the minority, but I think Terrance Howard is overhyped, and worse still, seems to totally buy into his own hype. There are some Hollywood types who take what they do entirely too seriously, like acting is on par with neurosurgery, and it comes across in interviews. Howard comes off as one of those to me. I can’t say I’m particularly shocked that he saw himself as invaluable and in turn demanded more money.
Don Cheadle, on the other hand, does more than play pretend in front of the camera, and even that he does with conviction. The first time I saw Don Cheadle was on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” in a guest role. Even that performance made such an impression on my teenage brain that when I saw him in a movie I recognized him instantly. He’s one of those guys who isn’t drop dead gorgeous, but his intensity is sexy. Don Cheadle only pumps up the star power of Iron Man 2.
Don Cheadle is shown on 2/28/08 at a Poker party at PURE. Credit: PRN/PRPhotos. Terrence Howard is shown performing in Chicago on 9/20/08. Credit: Adam Bielawski/PR Photos. Photo below is a still from Iron Man thanks to Allmoviephoto
Terrence Howard is an idiot. Everyone who knows the comic knows War Machine is the coolest character.
Agree about Howard being overrated, but still, I think playing second-fiddle to RDJ is beneath Cheadle.
Howard was a fool to let that part go. The beginning of the end. Also, Cheadle is really well liked by every he works with, he’s a nice guy. So talented too.
Cheadle will bring something new to the part, for sure. That character is supposed to be Tony Stark’s/Iron Man’s foil – and eventually his enemy. I am very excited about the new installment and I hope the script is as good, if not better, than the first one.
Yeah, I’m a comic book nerd. 😐
I love Don Cheadle. He was terrific in “Reign Over Me” with Adam Sandler.
Don Cheadle was in Fresh Prince….!??!?! 😮
Say what you will about Terence Howard (and please, do, I love this shit LOL) he is one fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine lookin’ man…
Don Cheadle is awesome. He was great in Crash and Reign Over Me.
Terrence Howard is weird. I read a quote of his once that he finds women parts dirty, and asks his ladies to wipe before he’s around them. Very odd…
I think Terence Howard is a really good actor, but he was really unconvincing in this role–I just didn’t buy him as someone in the military, and as an Army brat I know career officers who fit and do not fit the stereotype, so it’s not like I have a limited vision of who seems military. But Howard just didn’t.
I think Cheadle will be better for the role.
(Jess, I heard that too. Apparently if a woman doesn’t have baby wipes on the counter in her bathroom, he has a little talk with her about hygiene, or so the story goes. That put him on my list of actors who I enjoy watching on screen, but otherwise don’t care to think about.)
I liked Howard in Iron Man, but I could easily see Cheadle in the role, too. Regardless, I can’t wait. Iron Man was my favorite comic book movie of all time, and I’m a big comic geek, too. : )
And EW! on the baby wipes. Lady bits aren’t supposed to smell like baby powder, they’re supposed to smell like lady bits.
I can’t see Don in all that armor as War Machine.
same here Vdantev, I really liked Terrence in the part…
Well, I really really like Don Cheadle. He’s great in everything he touches, especially Boogie Nights…
…but from my limited recollection of War Machine (I, too, am a comic book nerd), it just isn’t him. Wasn’t War Machine like a bigger version of Iron Man? Cheadle’s intensity is more character-driven in a very one-on-one, sophisticated, personable way… not in an over-the-top “super soldier” way. Bruce Willis, he ain’t.
I don’t know anything about Terrance Howard other than I thought he did a great job in the Iron Man film, bringing his role a kind of warmly masculine best friend / sidekick fun, and it’s sad not to see him coming back.
Wondrous flick, however awaiting for the sequel
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