Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle Sign On for The Avengers

Posted on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

Marvel Entertainment has just announced that Robert Downey Jr and Don Cheadle have signed on for both Iron Man 2 and The Avengers. Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau will also executive produce The Avengers. As previously reported, Cheadle will be replacing Terrence Howard as Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes.

The announcement also comes with the first look at a plot synopsis tease: ” “In a movie event, The Avengers will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.” Who could that be? With Hulk on the listed team line-up, does that mean that the big green guy is out as a possibility?

Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7th 2010, and The Avengers hits theaters on July 15th 2011. Check out the full press release after the jump.



ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2

As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.

Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.

In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.

DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2

Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Marvel’s IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.

Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.

“We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights,” said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN’S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.

Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer’s box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.

In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.

The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.

Comments 

 

Related Posts

Tags

Action/Adventure, Casting, Comic Book/Superhero, Marvel Studios, Sequels, , , , , ,

  • Jawmuncher
    I don't even want to see Iron Man 2 after what they did to terrance howard.

    They should change the role of Jim Rhodes again in the 3rd movie, it would be great!
  • Joshi
    Hmm, I guess Marvel is that class-less as to replace Howard without actually telling him face to face and ignoring his contract.

    Well, here's hoping the movie's at least good, I doubt the absence of Howard will hurt it a lot as long as RDJ and Favreau are back.
  • including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more...

    Instead of "and more" just read: Wolverine, War Machine, Nick Fury and Iron Fist.
  • gah
    The villian will be Ultron. I'll put money on it.
  • lancelewis
    the only people who REALLY know what happened between marvel and terrance howard is marvel and terrance howard. life can be tough, get a helmet. cheadle is a talented actor and while its disappointing TH wont be returning, a change of a supporting actor wont diminish my excitement over the franchise. just my opinion.
  • j
    I still think The Avengers will suck and be a huge train wreck, I think we all know that Edward Norton would not do The Avengers movie. I really wish MARVEK would do IRON FIST and DR. STRANGE some time soon, I'm not sure if MARVEL owns IRON FIST though.
  • j
    I really like Cheadle but I just don't think he is suited for the role, and I really wish MARVEL weren't cheap bastards and would give Howard his due.
  • Terrence Howard was ok, just another face in this movie, he didn't add anything special to Iron Man and could be played by anyone else
  • Captain Awesome
    "Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7th 2010, and The Avengers hits theaters on July 15th 2011."

    The Avengers is going to be a fucking train wreck.
  • south texas terror
    www.cheadleNOTrhodey.com
    do we really need war machine in the avengers?
    the avengers movie is headed for barney (barney rubble) (trouble)
  • whatever
    Cheadle's too good to be somebody's sidekick. bleh. Both this movies can go to hell.
  • Canasian
    BRING BACK TERRANCE HOWARD.
  • TallExpression
    yes bring him back!!
  • This can only mean good news for the comics-fans!
  • StarBlazer101
    Man, I can't wait for Iron Man 2 to come out so that all of you complaining about Cheadle being cast can swallow your words. Remember when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker?
  • The more I think about The Avengers, the more lame it sounds. Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Iron Man in a movie together? Yikes...this has the potential to totally suck.

    Now...each hero with their own movies...that's a different story...
  • Dan Palmer
    Isn't Terence Howard reknowned for being a bit loco in the melon? Maybe unknown crazy antics are the reason.
  • WaFFLeS R g00D
    I'll bet marvel is going to crank out such shitty rushed movies and copout and say they had to for the avengers. It seems like they're bringing such huge hype to the avengers yet they completely ignore everything below it. You have to learn how to walk before you run. What made Spider-Man 2 and The Dark Knight so great? And they didn't even need a billion heroes in it, they just had 1. So theoretically, the avengers should be the best movie ever made. But something tells me they're more so aiming for toys, videogames, all the merchandise for the kiddies, rather than academy gold, which is disappointing. And honestly, if they can't even make the hulk look good, fuck with Terrance howard and Ed norton like they did, then I have no faith in them to make a good avengers movie. It's just going to be explosions this, explosions that. As good as cheadle is, Let's hope he gets less screen time as terrance in Iron Man 2.
  • rexler
    the villain will be john mccain
  • Ryan
    read the ultimates, if they make it like that...the avengers will kick ass.
  • orange cinema
    i prefer hulk not to be the villian, then there will be some real life & death stakes at play. otherwise we'd know nobody could die, just get banged up a little until they all made nice at the end.

    and i hate to admit this, but i just rewatched ironman and actually liked it alot this time.i hate that they replaced howard - even though i love cheadles - but i'll definately check out all of these upcoming marvel (still un-risky) flicks.
  • whatever
    I've read the ultimates and they're not that great, jjust a part of the trend to make comics mature by filling them with emo drama nobody cares about. though I don't mind the sexy stuff.
  • razor1000
    first off i thought this website was going to get a face lift and fix the borders on the comments page, secondly i'm sad TH wont be in IM2 cuz i thought he owned the role he had the look, but the guy from hoel rowanda is great as well i just think he looks too skinny for the role so hell need to buff up and grow a mustache or beard but i have trust in him TH if you're hearing his man go for the green lantern lead as john stewart i hate hal jordan ajajaja
  • Christopher Marc
    Howard should fire his agent because he lost out on a lot of film work..lol
  • charlie
    I think the only villian that could take on the Avengers would be Apocolypse or Galactus,
  • 790
    Cheadle sucks reguardless,,,

    I'm totally boycotting opening weekend fop Iron Man2 and Avengers.

    Marvel really dropped the ball.
  • south texas terror
    starblazer
    did you just compare cheadle in IM2 to Ledger in TDK? what are you smokin and where can I get some?
  • Christopher Marc
    @charlie

    I could be wrong but I believe Fox owns the rights to both of those villains ...since Galactus was in F4 2 and Apocolypse is considered apart of the X-Men series....so I highly doubt you'll see either....most likely you'll be seeing a CGI Hulk for the whole movie...without Edward Norton of course...
  • Death&Rebirth
    "charlie Says:

    October 28th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    I think the only villian that could take on the Avengers would be Apocolypse or Galactus,"

    Dude...
    Apocalypse it's a mutant and one of the X-men's strongest foes, while Galactus was one of FF's villains (if we consider him a villain). Not only that but Galactus already appeared on that bastardization that was FF2 movie (remenber the gigantic cloud)
  • StarBlazer101
    south texas terror

    Not at all, all I'm saying is that this is the same reaction that most people had back when Heath Ledger was cast as The Joker. We should just wait and see what Cheadle can do before we judge him so harshly.
  • nelson
    cheadle is great just not great for wear machine he is no action hero he is small and thin an does not look like a military guy like Howard did and Howard has something cheadle doesn't

    Charisma
  • shazaaaam!
    You People who don't want Don Cheadle SUCK BALLZ!

    1st You don't want another actor to play the joker because of Jack Nicholson cause you don't want change. Then another actor tops nicholson's and the nation is on Heath Ledger's BALLZ now!!!...now you don't want another actor to play Rhodes a character that was only in the movie 10 minutes? GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE DAMN!!!!!!......GEEKS!
  • 790
    I agree Cheadle has no charisma...
  • DimLink
    Generally I would be inclined to agree with the crowd that it is a bad move to replace Howard with Cheadle. But after I thought about it for a second, and analyzed the actors, and, more importantly, other characters they have played in other movies as well as the styles and genres of those previous movies, I think I approve of the decision.

    For the most part Howards movies have been more towards the docile end. He is an excellent actor, but I cant see him dodging bullets, or really being able to pull of a character that has to with a very compelling sort of style. Cheadle, on the hand, has had at least some experience in more action-oriented rolls. The scenario i used was The Matrix - I can see Cheadle pulling of a character in the Matrix whereas I have a harder time doing so with Howard.
  • Presto117
    @ Ryan

    exactly.

    The Ultimates was amazing and i think it was Variety that called it "the greatest movie never made", so if they just follow the ultimates (which it seems like they're doing judging by sam jackson as nick fury and the potential for hulk as the vilain), then this could be an amazing movie.

    I have faith in this movie, and of course it has the potential to be bad, but i loved Iron Man and the incredible hulk and I think MArvel's gonna make a good movie out of this.

    They could really just take the first volume of the Ultimates, add a little more action to it, and BAM, they've got a great blockbuster on their hands.

    plus i can't wait to see how RDJ plays off captain america and Thor.
  • Wow!! This is great news :)
    I am happy to know Robert Downey Jr. will be in the Avengers.
  • spoilerkid
    its all the same bs i bet its gonna be like xmen so many heroes in one movie edward is gonna return for the avengers i checked well an exec from marvel studios wich is a frend of mine is that the abomination is one of the bad guys nd wasp is gonna come out well most of the avengers suck i hope they put vision in the movie.....oh have any of u read the secret invasion cotmic books well its all of marvel against the skrulls its pretty cool
  • 790
    Spolierkid,,, after Watchmen comes out of the gates blowing all kinds of record box office mojo,,, the Avengers film is gonna thrive off that hype.*....
  • seanovan
    I just personally like Howard better as an actor more than Cheadle.
    I think it is a bad move but it will be a great film, as long as they don't try TOO hard.

    "With Hulk on the listed team line-up, does that mean that the big green guy is out as a possibility?"
    ^^
    Possibility out of what? Hulk being the villain?
  • roery
    Don C as Rhodes is fine with me, how the HELL can anyone say he's a horrible actor? He's 10 times the better actor than TH is and, you're to afraid to admit it. I just watched IM again and, I saw Don as Rhodes, instantly. Watch the scenes where they pick up Tony from the desert, the training exercise scene and, well, really thats it. I mean those are the best scenes he's in and really Howard just blahhhh. Don is epic. Just wait.
  • roery
    Oh and, the Hulk is never an official team member in the start. Bruce is but, Bruce isn't the Hulk. So, he's a threat adding to a threat.
  • Quan
    Avengers will suck.
  • simon
  • Danny Apprentice
    The switch from Howard to Cheadle, ultimately, I don't think will be detrimental to the film(s). As pointed out before, Ledger delievered the best joker performance ever after being second-guessed as Nicholson's successor, so Cheadle shouldn't be criticized before he even gets a chance to play the role. I just wish Cheadle would have been originally cast in the original Ironman so we wouldn't have to worry about adjusting during our actual viewing of Ironman 2; however, in the end this will not be a major problem. The character of Rachel Dawes, via Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal, underwent the same change and that turned out just fine.

    And as for the misplaced negativity for the Avengers movie, I don't really understand where that mindset is coming from.....Once Ironman 2, Hulk, Captain America, etc. come out and all the storylines tie together (which i'm sure the writers will do a terrific job of) then everything will be set up perfectly for The Avengers, which will probably then go on and be one of the most positively received, highest grossing, entertaining movies of the era. They have 2+ years to smooth over the rough edges, so I have no doubt in my mind the finished product will be phenomenal.

    Or I could just be really optomistic? Could be a little of both lol.
  • spoilerkid
    i wonder wich is gonna be better watchmen or avengers either way i kno avengers is gonna make a lot of money its obvious
  • I bet they try to tie together these two movies just like watchmen and iron man etc
  • darrell
    Replace Iron Man suit with C3PO. And add some 3D gophers!
  • Dave
    Cheadle? He's a great actor completely wrong for the role in my opinion. If the studio thinks the audience is going to be fine with any ol' well known black actor they decide to cast, they might as well have Dave Chappelle as War Machine.

    Ridonkulous I say.
  • RayR
    Downey to the Avengers, very nice. Cheadle...blah. What happened to that other guy who played Stark's friend? Marvel needs to mix it up with solid actors AND fresh talent. The movie industry is really stagnating when it comes to this and the Indy scene needs to rise again.
  • web
    Can we get a little Bruce Campbell action happening in Iron Man 2 or the Avengers? The man is the king of one liners. Make him a bad guy, why the hell not? :P
blog comments powered by Disqus
gorilla nation

/Film

Copyright © 2009 /Film. Web design by Pro Blog Design. Logo Concept by: Illumination Ink

All names, trademarks and images are copyright their respective owners.