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While Marvel Studios has seen the odd bit of recasting over the years, few have been as big as its first – the replacement of James ‘Rhody’ Rhodes.
Actor Terrence Howard played the character in the original 2008 “Iron Man,” but in every MCU work afterwards, it was Don Cheadle who took on the role.
Howard was reportedly the first actor cast in the original film and, at least initially, he was also its highest-paid actor. In 2022, EW reported that according to its sources, Favreau was unhappy with Howard’s performance and was going to reduce the role in “Iron Man 2” – meaning Howard would be paid a much lower salary.
That led to talk of his exit being essentially over a pay dispute, though that several years-older report also cited difficult behaviour on the set.
Appearing on the PBD Podcast this week (via The Playlist), Howard revealed that he believes an old confrontation with producer Joel Silver may have contributed to his abrupt exit.
The incident took place at the 2007 Venice Film Festival, where he and Silver were promoting the Jodie Foster-led vigilante drama “The Brave One”, a film that also featured Robert Downey Jr.’s wife and producing partner, Susan Downey, as a producer.
Howard said a reporter asked him why his name did not receive the same top billing as Foster, a question that stayed with him. Silver later reportedly addressed the issue directly with Howard:
“Joel Silver came and had a conversation with me, and he’s like, ‘The reason your name isn’t above the titles is because you’re not the star of this thing – it’s Jodie. And if you get nominated for an Oscar, it’s going to be for Supporting Actor, not Best Actor’.”
[I said] ‘Thank you for telling me that, now I understand. But, you have to remember that I’m a man just like you, and if you ever talk to me in that way again, I’m going to knock your teeth out of your mouth.’ Eight months later, I lose Iron Man, and I’m sure that all of those things played their part.”
Howard implies this one incident alone wasn’t the reason, adding that his temperament has cost him roles: “I’ve had a number of opportunities, but my aggression, my need to be a man, you know, ‘You ain’t gon’ talk to me like that,’ instead of learning how to diffuse.”
Denzel Washington even apparently advised him over two decades ago that his tendency to clench his fists was getting in the way of producers trying to work with him.
Howard keeps on working, most recently appearing in the mini-series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and the film “Shirley”.
The post Terrence Howard On What Cost Him “Iron Man 2” appeared first on Dark Horizons.
