If this is true. It might work out before for the War Machine to be in the sequel. If Howard was still in it we might not see War Machine at all.

Terrence Howrad is taking alot from these posts, and I totally understand why. I have to be honest and say I thought he did amazing in Iron Man, and sometimes his acting is not taken well, which doesn't mean he's not good, probably just misunderstand by some people and expectations. But still we forget Roberts run ins with trouble. We can bash our pick of actors and the rumors surrounding them, but I think Howard would;ve done amazing as War machine, but messed up.

You know, I'm thrilled that Cheadle is replacing Howard. He was NOT a good Rhodes. I find his acting flimsy and not believable. Cheadle, on the other hand, is very convincing in his acting and I find him vastly preferable to Howard in every way.

Makes sense, I suppose. Oh well though, it's a done deal. I guess we just gotta move on.

Marvel pulls the ultimate dick move. If they wanted to not cast him they should have told him instead of cuttin his pay by 80% and minimizing his role. Now they got cheadle and they want make the role bigger. They might as well slap Howard across the face in the sequel.

I might be in the minority with this, but I felt like Howard slept walk through that film. When I watched him for the first time in Iron Man I felt like he was uncomfortable and never really into it. He was way too low key! This story is interesting!

Chuck

No, not a minority. Howard's performance was appallingly bad and amatuerish.
Completely predictable and wooden. Downey needs a much better foil than that. There was nothing inside Howard's character. No complexity or ambiguity whatsoever. Definitely humorless --- which is death when playing opposite Downey.

Isn't this weird that this supposed behind the scenes drama of the first film never got leaked out? If Howard is a DOUCHEBAG in real life, it would surprise me actually.

Um Howard is a douchebag in real life. He was placed in jail for badly beating and battering his wife a few years back after an argument. They were divorcing at the time and he attacked her. That is why he felt it neccessary to step up and defend Chris Brown right after he abused Rhianna. That also went against him with the public. He has a history of violent behavior going back to the beginning of his career-look up Mr. Douchebags' violent history. He seems to be pretty full of himself. I guess he thinks hes' all that and more.

Sucks for Howard, but I like Don Cheadle a lot more than Howard. I never really have seen what all the fuss is with Howard.

this might satisfy some, but now im more mad at terrence howard.

Somehow this doesn't surprise me at all. As much as I like continuity, Terrance Howard has a very dry style and, in my opinion, it didn't really work for Rhodes.

I'm sure I'm not the only one whom picked up on the homoerotic behavior of Terrance Howard's character in Iron Man. I was hella awkward for Robert downey Jr.

Nothing against him for it " hustle'n'flow" was awesome, but you don't play buddy buddy, by eyeing up the main character and talking very soft like, and what was with that flirtatious phone call after he loses the fighter jets? If that was acting I'm gonna get my SAG Card tomorrow and be kissing my naked golden man next March ,and I ain't talking about an Oscar, well that might be his name.

Thank you Johnny fav and Justin Theroux, for hopefully making this movie better with the awesomeness that is Don Cheadle!

I love Don Cheadle too. I'm just dissaponted that Terrence Howard MAY not be the 'down to earth' guy that I thought he was. I know it's gossip but still.

I thought it was a pretty well known fact that Howard was known as a difficult actor on set. That has been the word for quite some time from what I have heard.

i had no idea. i mean, i didn't hear about Howard's behavior.

It reminds me of Val Kilmer though; at one time, he was so difficult to work with, he had trouble finding gigs. It wasn't until 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' (and maybe the Salton Sea) that he changed his attitude..

I was never excited about the prospects of War Machine. It seems it would take alot of screentime away from RDJ who is really the best part.

Well if that is true and thats a IF, Marvel and co. should have been more honest. The method they took was like shitting off a perch.

Terrence Howard was awesome as Rhodes since I've always hated the character in the comics. But now Don Cheadle will be playing Rhodes I may actually change my opinion of the character and genially enjoy him. The War Machine aspect of Rhodes was the only cool thing about him but anyone could wear that suit...

So Howard was a bitch to work with huh? Well, a few things: Favereu needs to learn how to direct cool action scenes. Most of what we got was not very exciting or stunning visually and that's incredibly disappointing. The movie needs to be smarter, no I'm not saying drown it in the psychobabble you find too much in comic books these days, but make Iron Man do more than push a button to win, thanks. Lastly, give us an iconic iron man theme song. That's all I want.

Hey Pete, I guess it still pays to read old-fashioned hardcopy magazines. :-)

Vic

Vic: yes, definitely. I'm actually shocked that they didn't put the article online.

I don't believe this!

@Whatever

They can build upon part one, but it's not remotely bad (besides the lack of a theme). Don't worry about it..

Cheadle is an upgrade. Howard talks like a little bitch. He think he's a great actor, but in reality kinda sucks.

Agreed with WHATEVER.

Why is war machine going to be the villain? Wasn't iron man's foe in the last movie another guy in a big iron suit??? a little variation plz

Uh he's not, War Machine is Iron Man's sidekick.

Good. Fuck him. He want's to be greedy, he got what he had coming to him.

But, at the same time. Marvel are being greedy as well. They know they're gonna make a TON of money on IM2...

Tell Terrence to ask Billy Dee about his role as Harvey Dent. Them's the breaks, my man...

I've read many times that Howard is difficult to work with and a total asshole in real life. Has anyone ever read an interview with the guy? Here's a few snippets:

Terrence Howard Thinks Women Are Unclean And Dressed Like Whores

terrencehoward080807.jpgThe new issue of Elle has an interview with Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard. Mr. Howard, of Hustle & Flow and Crash fame, is attractive, that goes without saying. But his thoughts and opinions? Not so much! Some snippets from Elle:

"I like women who look like me. Generally, you're attracted to women who look like you, because the most beautiful thing in nature is your own reflection."

On his relationship philosophy:

"If a relationship is built on sexuality, it won't last long. Now I'm completely chaste through a relationship unless I get married. I don't believe in premarital sex. It enabled me to date three or four women at the same time, because as long as I wasn't having sex with them, I could always just walk away. There were some [past girlfriends] who pushed for sex, and sometimes they won. Afterward, I would feel unclean, like I'd compromised my own values. So I would have to let them go because they didn't help me to be a stronger person."

On his deal-breaker:

"Toilet paper - and no baby wipes - in the bathroom. If they're using dry paper, they aren't washing all of themselves. It's just unclean. So if I go in a woman's house and see the toilet paper there, I'll explain this. And if she doesn't make the adjustment to baby wipes, I'll know she's not completely clean."

On his divorce:

"I was in love with her, but she was not in love with me. I can't be upset because she doesn't find me the most beautiful thing on the planet."

Jezebel's own Anna Holmes was once fortunate enough to interview Mr. Howard for InStyle, and came away with the impression that he hates women. (That part didn't make it into her article!) For one, says Anna, during the interview, Mr. Howard was going through his closet and showing her his favorite clothes — when her arm brushed his. Mr. Howard flinched and said he didn't like "being touched". Other gems? When railing against how 'far" women's fashion has gone — "We've lost modesty" — Mr. Howard told Anna that seeing women dressed provocatively creates a response in him that he can't respond to in a 'natural' way. (Meaning that rape is illegal?). "He then made a comment that women who expose their 'titties' to the public have no right to get angry if people — maybe him? — make remarks about it," she continues. "He said something like 'What's worse, someone exposing themselves or someone commenting on it? Who committed the first sin?'"

I am not a big fan of Howard so no big deal to me, I wasn't crazy about his performance in Iron Man and truth be told, He just didnt come across as James Rupert Rhodes, Howards voice is too raspy.

Sorry, I just cannot envision Howard as Rhodes in any way shape or form. Regarding Cheadle, I kinda feel the same way but I of course will give him the same chance I gave Howard. The reason I spent $10.00 at the Ultrascreen Theater was to see the John Favreau directed Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. As as long as that stays true, I have no problem.

I agree with matt on the whole lack of variation thing. The Unicorn anyone? I kid of course. But seriously how about the mandarin? I thought he was iron man's greatest foe.

@whatever

I honestly don't understand how you can say the visuals in IM were below average, the visual effects were stunning.

Everytime I've seen Howard on a talkshow program he's always come across as a bit fake, difficult and prickly. Seems to be a bit "up himself" and.. well, I dunno. I just imagined him being not very approachable in real life.

On a separate note, it might be easier working with shorter actors (Downey and Cheadle) for a special FX heavy series like this, and the demands of working with those overly technical and no doubt clunky suits.

lol@ you people!

It's funny how just 24 hours ago everybody was "hatin;" on Don Cheadle and bad mouthing him. Now your FINALLY giving him his props after hearing the whole story!

Terry was pretty ok in the movie. As much as i love Cheadle, hes not really right for the role. But the last few days ive been thinking he could really pull it off. Cheadle can one mean believable muthafucka and get away with it. While Terry will seem forced if he tries and get angry!!!

If this is true, Terrence is being a prude for not accepting a lower pay for Iron Man 2. If he was payed so much for the first movie, he shouldn't whine like a little girl beacause of a pay cut. But, if Marvel made this move so that Terrence would supposedly sign out for the sequel.. well, they're being big assholes themselves. Oh, and by the way Don Cheadle is a way more talented actor.

Now it makes sense...oh well.

If you watch all the deleted and extended scenes on the dvd, pretty much all of them are Howard's.

Wow. This is surprising. But we can't completely blame Mr. Howard after all, to cut your pay by 50 to 80 % AND drarastically reduce your screen time is a tough break. You gotta admit, those are some pretty hard bargaining terms on Marvel's part.

Come to think of it, if they ever tried to pull a stunt like that on Mr. Downey jr. you know there will be no more iron man.

Wow, now i understand what people mean when they say hollywood is a mean place !

He should have taken the part!

Why Sequels Fail? character change(if your planning for a sequel always keep the characters) and please we iron man fanatics have read the story over and over so please stick with the story line

i was kinda mad at first but come to think of it don has great acting ability and im sure he'll do and fit the role a hell of a lot better than howard the coward......ironman 2 will be alot better than the first as well...i was disapointed in the action seqeunces more action more coreography or at least better

yeah because when they replaced katie holmes in the dark night, it totally bombed.

Hopefully this is an inacurate report, I really dont like, actor switches in these hollywood franchises!

P.S. Katie Holmes should have played Rachel in the Dark Knight!

this is wrong if you read wizard he got fired because he was telling everyone about war machine and marvel wanted to keep it a secret, to give the audience a suprise but howard started telling everyone that was the reason he signed on to iron man so he would get to be war machine so he'll be him in the second movie

nice movie

I think that whether or not Cheadle is a better actor than Howard really doesn't matter. Howard is the character we liken to the real life face of comic book character Jim Rhodes. (Personally I think Howard actually looks like the comic book character Jim Rhodes, feel free to disagree) What I think is that movies make big mistakes by switching out actors for sequels. Audience members whether they believe or know it develop an on screen relationship with who they see. Cheadle is a good actor I am in no way taking that away from him. But he is going to have to be a great actor to fulfill the role that Howard had taken from him. Whenever that happens in movies its up to the actor to do a damn good job so that you never even remember that Howard was the "original" Rhodes. Like the man who replaced Dumbledore in Harry Potter, great example of how another great acting job makes you forget about the prior. A bad example (which I hope not to see in this movie) is when Rachel Weiss was not in the final installment of the Mummy series. I was heavily disappointed and could not develop a relationship with the character, because I wasn't used to seeing her, hearing her terrible british accent, and overall terrible acting. To top it off the movie in general wasn't a good one, but it would have been much more enjoyable had she been in it. What I'm trying to say is this, whether or not Howard did a great job at being Jim Rhodes, he was the FIRST Jim Rhodes, so its up to Cheadle to bring it to the big screen in this one and the following movies, (remember Cheadle is stuck with this movie because of the Avengers movies coming up) Also bear in mind this is Cheadle's first big action movies series. Can he bring it for 3 movies? I hope so, I'm a big Ironman fan.

I really, really loathed Jim Rhodes when he was being played by Howard. He seemed like the quintessential pansy who would whine and whine. His voice was/is too whiny/annoying/ear-screechingly discomforting for him to play the role of Tony Stark's foil.

When I found out that he'd been replaced (which was just now as I watched the Iron Man 2 trailer), I was ecstatic. And then to find out that it was Don Cheadle? Twice as awesome. You can even compare their performances as they acted together in Crash. Howard played an appropriately cast whiny little bugger while Cheadle played a conflicted police officer trying to sort his life out. It was like I was watching two separate movies when I compare their performances. Cheadle is the face I was hoping for in Rhodes all along and, without a doubt, he will exceed what low expectations I had for what was, in my opinion, the subpar performance standard set by Howard.