Entertainment Weekly: How Terrence Howard lost Iron Man 2

[GreenScar]

EW has an article up explaining some details behind the whole Cheadle Howard mess. It brings a few things to light and makes some sense. It's anyone's guess at to it's truthfulness but here it is:

Hollywood insiders believe the exit stems from Terrence Howard's difficult behavior on the set of Iron Man. But those with intimate knowledge of the situation suggest a far more dramatic backstory: Howard was the first actor signed to the film and, on top of that, was the highest-paid. That's right: more than Gwyneth Paltrow. More than Jeff Bridges. More than Robert Downey Jr. And once the project fully came together, it was too late to renegotiate his deal. It didn't help that, according to one source, Favreau and his producers were ultimately unhappy with Howard's performance, and spent a lot of time cutting and reshooting his scenes. (Favreau could not be reached for comment, while Howard's publicist says: ''Terrence had a tremendous experience working on Iron Man.'')

As such, when Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux went to map out the sequel they found themselves minimizing Howard's story line. Once Marvel learned that Favreau was thinking of curtailing the role, the studio went to the actor's agents with a new and drastically reduced offer — a number that's similar to what supporting cast members were paid for the first movie. The agents, according to sources, were so taken aback by this new figure — estimated at somewhere between a 50 and 80 percent pay cut — that they questioned it. Why did they blanch? Multiple sources say that Marvel execs never told Howard's reps that they had issues with the star's on-set conduct. (Marvel would not comment for this story.)

It's unclear whether Howard's team walked away first, or if Marvel ended the discussion at that point. Either way, the studio moved quickly to secure Cheadle and the story leaked out the next morning, Oct. 14. And alas for Howard, there will be no next time.

[vegeta88]

Wow. Pretty interesting stuff. I can't believe Howard was the highest paid actor in the film.

Thanks for sharing.

[pEgLeG]

That's too bad. I'm not completely against changing actors in sequels, but it, wait, I am against it, it sucks, it throws the whole thing off for me, even if they are both really good actors.
I still remember how bad Teen Wolf Too messed me up. I was nine years old and, quite unfairly, hated Jason Bateman for it

[doctorD]

Originally Posted by pEgLeG

That's too bad. I'm not completely against changing actors in sequels, but it, wait, I am against it, it sucks, it throws the whole thing off for me, even if they are both really good actors.
I still remember how bad Teen Wolf Too messed me up. I was nine years old and, quite unfairly, hated Jason Bateman for it

While I agree with you on Teen Wolf Two, in that case they changed the lead actor and in this one (Iron Man) they are changing one of the supporting actors. I think it sucks that Howard is getting replaced, but I'm glad to see they got an excellent replacement.

[Tanman19az]

I like Cheadle better! Howard is good at those deep drama roles not really action roles.

[raggarichie]

The Movie should still turn out fine. All they trading is one fine Actor for another. I love both of them. no problem here.

[Galactus]

Iron Man 2 is better off without him...... greedy s.o.b. , i have full faith in cheadle.

[STARSCREAM]

WOW! He was highest paid for Iron Man!

[sbjork]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

WOW! He was highest paid for Iron Man!

Some of that article is still speculation, since no one is going to go on the record about the situation. Regardless, Cheadle rocks, so I am happy with the switch.

[CheapChildren]

Well Howard is a creep.

Read some interview gems by this guy here.

[Twankies08]

Originally Posted by Blu Blood

Iron Man 2 is better off without him...... greedy s.o.b. , i have full faith in cheadle.

I agree 100%

[kx11]

good thing they got cheadle not a hip-hop actor wanna-be like ludacris or 50 cent (ican't belive he got to be in a movie with pacino and deniro)

[Blu-Benny]

interesting, thanks for the info.

[BLUE MYSTIC RAIN]

Originally Posted by pEgLeG

That's too bad. I'm not completely against changing actors in sequels, but it, wait, I am against it, it sucks, it throws the whole thing off for me, even if they are both really good actors.
I still remember how bad Teen Wolf Too messed me up. I was nine years old and, quite unfairly, hated Jason Bateman for it

I've never seen Teen Wolf 2.

[Moefiz]

Cheadle is a much more convincing actor than Howard.I personally is very happy with the change.

[Ataneruo]

Although I dislike discontinuity, Terrence Howard was by far the weakest part of Iron Man and I will not be sorry to see him go.

Now Katie Holmes on the other hand...was that really necessary? ;P

[Jorge Cordeiro]

This reminds me of hulk and incredible hulk where the cast was all change! OR Holmes on Dark Knight etc etc...
At first I also thought it was BS to do that but at the and it came up very good, even better IMO.
Yes, all of us ( i think ) wanted to see Terrance as warmachine...but i believe Cheadle will do just fine. Lets Wait and see...

[MAPdead]

Howard is overrated I am glad to see the change I thought his whole performance in the movie was mediocre.

[andyman1970]

Originally Posted by Ataneruo

Although I dislike discontinuity, Terrence Howard was by far the weakest part of Iron Man and I will not be sorry to see him go.

Now Katie Holmes on the other hand...was that really necessary? ;P

I agree about Terrence Howard and I think Cheadle will do a better job.

As for Katie Holmes being replaced in The Dark Knight, I just assumed it was because that crazy Tom Cruise had her locked away at their "church" so she wouldn't become a bigger star then him.

[Sussudio]

very interesting.......thanks for posting!