Terrence Howard was the first actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to see his character recast. In a recent PBD Podcast interview, the Oscar-nominee recalled a 2007 confrontation with producer Joel Silver, who partnered with Susan Downey, wife of Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr.
He now believes the incident played a role in Don Cheadle replacing him as James “Rhodey” Rhodes.
The Confrontation
Shortly after Howard was nominated for an Academy Award for Hustle & Flow, he made The Brave One with Jodie Foster. During promotion, he was asked why his name wasn’t featured as prominently as Foster’s. Howard said the question frustrated him. The question reportedly reached producer Joel Silver.
Jodie Foster speaks in an interview – YouTube, CBS Sunday Morning
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According to Howard, Silver approached him and explained, “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.”
The actor’s reaction was reportedly blunt. Howard recalled that he 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.”
Notably, Susan Downey was Silver’s producing partner on The Brave One. Howard said that eight months after his alleged encounter with Silver, he lost his role in Iron Man. “I’m sure that all of those things played their part,” Howard said.
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Don Cheadle as War Machine in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Marvel Studios
While Howard now believes the exchange may have had lasting consequences, the official explanation for his departure from Marvel has long been less clear.
Early Explanations
According to Entertainment Weekly, Howard was cast by director Jon Favreau in 2008’s Iron Man before Robert Downey Jr. It was the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reignited Downey Jr.’s career. As Rhodes, Howard was positioned for a potential War Machine spin-off. At the time, few could have imagined he might have had a long MCU career.
Rumors had circulated that Favreau, unhappy with Howard’s performance, had intended to minimize his character in the sequel. Howard reportedly objected to the subsequent pay cut. At the time, he even suggested that Downey Jr. was partially responsible: “The person that I helped become Iron Man, when it was time to re-up for the second one, took the money that was supposed to go to me and pushed me out.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau attend the ceremony honoring Jon Favreau with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California on February 13, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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After stepping into the role in 2010, Don Cheadle has portrayed Rhodes across multiple Marvel films and Disney+ appearances. Howard, meanwhile, went on to find major television success starring in the Fox drama Empire.
A Remaining Mystery
Nearly two decades later, the circumstances behind Howard’s recasting remain a curiosity for MCU fans. Whether it was contract disputes, creative decisions, or personal tensions, the story highlights how quickly a franchise’s trajectory—and an actor’s role within it—can change.
Unless those involved choose to revisit the moment publicly, the circumstances behind Rhodey’s first recasting may remain one of the MCU’s most debated what-ifs.
Why do you think Terrence Howard was removed from Iron Man 2? Let us know in the comments!
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Punch in the mouth for telling the truth? What a hothead. Meanwhile, in other news, Edward Norton was the second for replacement… boy was that a trade down.
““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.””
Is that a black excellence that libs love to praise so much?
Seriously, he lost his head the moment he got more or less decent role and recognition.
Threatening violence, whining about not being paid enough as not even a star of the movie.
He more than deserved to be booted from Marvel. What a piece of machinery.
Terrence sounds as butthurt as his former co-star Jussie Smollett.
Cope. And, now RDJ made creepy Kamala ads, I am voting down his movies, too.