This decision led to a lot of drama between the actor and the superhero franchise.
In today’s entertainment landscape, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) influences popular culture. Still, it’s intriguing to look back at the origins of this expansive franchise, particularly at the pivotal characters and their original portrayers.
A notable case is Terrence Howard, who debuted as Robert Downey Jr.’s right-hand man in “Iron Man” before an early departure due to unresolved disputes with the studio. Despite any lingering resentment between Howard and Marvel, the franchise has thrived, with Don Cheadle stepping in to replace Howard, successfully imbuing the role with his distinct brand.
Downey’s portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man sparked a career resurgence, transforming him into the linchpin of the MCU for over ten years, a franchise recognized as the most successful of the century. Interestingly, Howard was the bigger star at the time of Iron Man’s production. He was allegedly compensated between $3.5 and $4.5 million, dwarfing Downey’s comparatively modest $500,000 paycheck for his role as the genius billionaire Tony Stark.
As Rhodey, Howard depicted the official liaison between Stark Industries and the US Air Force. There were clear indications in the film of his character’s evolution towards the superhero persona, War Machine, in subsequent productions. However, despite the box office success of “Iron Man,” Howard’s anticipated appearance in the sequel never materialized, with Don Cheadle stepping into his shoes.
Several speculations suggested the actor’s behavior on set led to his replacement. However, Entertainment Weekly reported that Howard’s portrayal in the film displeased director Jon Favreau and Marvel producers, prompting several reshoots and edits for the film’s final cut. Consequently, in “Iron Man 2,” Howard’s character was significantly scaled back by Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux, marking the actor’s end in the MCU.
Howard’s discontentment with his departure from Marvel has been no secret. In a candid interview on Sway in the Morning, he disclosed his initial agreement with Marvel for three films, with an expected $8 million payout for the sequel. Instead, he was offered a mere $1 million, prompting Howard to question the contractual arrangement, which seemingly favored the studio more than the actor.
The actor’s frustration with Marvel was also evident during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live. Although he expressed admiration for Cheadle and his subsequent portrayal of the role, Howard openly criticized Marvel for their handling of his departure.
In addition to his disagreements with Marvel, Howard likewise accused Downey Jr. of failing to reciprocate the favor of helping him secure the role. When Cheadle was announced as his replacement, Howard allegedly reached out to Downey Jr. for support, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
According to an interview with Rolling Stone in 2015, Howard claimed that the funds originally allocated for him ended up bolstering Downey Jr.’s earnings. However, by 2016, the two had seemingly reconciled, as Howard posted a picture of them together on Instagram, expressing pleasure at the rekindling of their friendship.
As for Cheadle, he needed no more than two hours to accept the role initially intended for Howard. Over time, he has grown the character into a well-rounded figure, donning the War Machine armor for the first time in “Iron Man 2.” Since then, Cheadle has reprised his role in five additional films, including “Avengers: Endgame,” where he played a crucial role in defeating Thanos.
Beyond the big screen, Cheadle’s Rhodes also made an appearance in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Now, with anticipation building, the actor is preparing for his starring role in a standalone Disney+ project titled “Armor Wars.” This character and actor transformation journey within the MCU highlights the complex dynamics behind our favorite superheroes, underscoring that the real drama often lies beyond the camera.