Iron Man was a bona-fide summer blockbuster and Terrance Howard, who was star Robert Downey Jr’s best friend in the film, was all but guaranteed a sequel in the story line, to come back as War Machine. The only way to foul that opportunity up is to take it for granted that you can’t be replaced, and Howard appears to have overestimated his irreplaceability.

In moviemaker Jon Favreau’s sequel, Iron Man 2, Terrance Howard’s character, Jim Rhodes, has been given to Don Cheadle.

Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons. Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor, who is shooting Antoine Fuqua’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

Rhodes is expected to play a larger part in the sequel, which is rumored to go beyond high-tech villains. Justin Theroux is writing the screenplay.

Jon Favreau is returning as director, and Robert Downey Jr. is expected back as billionaire industrialist Stark/Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to be back as Stark’s assistant, Pepper Potts.

[From The Hollywood Reporter]

I may be in the minority, but I think Terrance Howard is overhyped, and worse still, seems to totally buy into his own hype. There are some Hollywood types who take what they do entirely too seriously, like acting is on par with neurosurgery, and it comes across in interviews. Howard comes off as one of those to me. I can’t say I’m particularly shocked that he saw himself as invaluable and in turn demanded more money.

Don Cheadle, on the other hand, does more than play pretend in front of the camera, and even that he does with conviction. The first time I saw Don Cheadle was on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” in a guest role. Even that performance made such an impression on my teenage brain that when I saw him in a movie I recognized him instantly. He’s one of those guys who isn’t drop dead gorgeous, but his intensity is sexy. Don Cheadle only pumps up the star power of Iron Man 2.

Source: Cele|bitchy