Don Cheadle Suits Up For IRON MAN 2
Terrence Howard is being replaced by fellow Oscar nominee Don Cheadle as Jim Rhodes in Jon Favreau's Iron Man 2.
Sources close to the deal told The Hollywood Reporter that negotiations between Marvel Studios and Howard (right) fell through for financial (and other) reasons. Marvel had no comment, but it is known that the studio has wanted to work with Cheadle (top).
This development has shocked fans, who've eaten up Howard's recent interviews, in which he giddily discussed preparing for the sequel. But there are hints within his own comments that maybe Howard's personality was outgrowing his supporting role.
"I don't want to be a sidekick. I don't want to be a wingman. I want to have my own thing," he said in a May interview with MTV News.
Jim Rhodes is expected to play a larger part in the sequel, which is being written by actor Justin Theroux, who also wrote Tropic Thunder. Robert Downey Jr., and Gwyneth Paltrow are expected to return as the titular hero and his assistant, respectively.
[Thanks to MTV News's SHAWN ADLER.]