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Summary
Former War Machine actor Terrence Howard was part ofIron Man’sMCUcast , conjoin Robert Downey Jr. ( Tony Stark ) and Gwyneth Paltrow ( Pepper Potts ) as Col . James " Rhodey " Rhodes . But while his co - stars continued to be an constitutional part ofthe MCU timelineafter the flick was released , Howard was softly replace by Don Cheadle as War Machine inIron Man 2.DuringIron Man , there was clear intent to wreak back Howard for the office in the sequel , evidenced by the puzzler line that showed his character would suit up as War Machine:“next time , baby . “However , Howard never returned .
Instead , Don Cheadle’sIron Man 2Rhodey assume the armor rather . Over the years , more has come to twinkle about what happened behind the scenes that led to Howard Terence becoming the former , rather than current , War Machine worker . Unsurprisingly and perhaps unexcitingly , money was the lead factor . Financial focal ratio hump are n’t rare in the movie manufacture , but thisMCU recastingdoes remain the highest - profile actor swap outside the Norton / Ruffalo Bruce Banner change .
The third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Iron Man 2 , is an action - superhero film that come about six month after the original film ’s event . After come out himself as the lumbering metallic element superhero cognise as Iron Man , Tony Stark goes to large distance to avoid requirement from the authorities for his technical school . But , alas , the engineering science Tony used to save his life is beginning to touch on his health reciprocally - just in time for a man named Ivan Vanko to arrive , who creates his reading of the Iron Man tech to square up a decades - recollective mark with Howard Stark ’s son .
The First War Machine Left Due To A Salary Dispute
Terence Howard Has Stated MCU Salary Disputes Led To The Recasting
In 2013 , Howard once again admit the modification - up during a guest appearance onWatch What Happens Live , revealing that he was pushed out due to a salary conflict . According to him , Robert Downey Jr ’s MCU remuneration massively increase on the heels ofIron Man ’s massive success , resulting in a cutback on Howard ’s salary , which did n’t sit well with him — peculiarly since he take that he promote for Downey to get the role . DespiteRDJ ’s massive MCU wage , Downey has maintain that he had nothing to do with the recasting .
Regardless of what really happened behind closed doors , it was too soon enough in the MCU that reforge a supporting reference was n’t too daunting of a task - and it was vindicated that RDJ was a bankable enfranchisement face . Downey and Howard had undeniable alchemy inIron Man , but Don Cheadle has since shown great chemistry with actors from several corners of the MCU . Cheadle ’s MCU relationships will be further put on display in theMCU ’s upcomingArmor Warsmovie , which will focus on Rhodey in a post - Tony Stark world .
Don Cheadle vs Terrence Howard: Who Was The Better War Machine Actor?
The Two Actors Played The Character In Different Ways
With such an uneven number of appearance in the role , it ’s difficult to liken Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard ’s MCU public presentation . Both are acclaimed thespian that convey a unique personality to the character . Howard ’s Rhodey embodied the experienced military ground with more stoical deliverance , and Cheadle thrives when Rhodes involve to come off as more personable and down - to - earthly concern .
Cheadle ’s fond camaraderie with Tony , as defend to Howard ’s more assertive take on the character , fit with the more lighthearted direction the MCU has locomote since 2008 . At the same time , it ’s fair to indicate that Howard ’s sterner Rhodey was more appropriate for a Colonel and that he feel more like his own role rather than Tony ’s sidekick . Either direction , MCU audiences have Cheadle for the foreseeable future , but this does n’t overwrite the great body of work Howard did in the originalIron Man .
It’s Now Hard To Imagine The MCU Without Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle Has Been Rhodey For 14 Years
Don Cheadle has firmly make himself as the definitive live - action War Machine thespian , and , if for no other reason than longevity in the role , it ’s tough to imagine anyone else as Rhodes in this stage of the MCU . After Cheadle ’s unique take on the character inIron Man 2 , War Machine has clearly been written to take reward of the actor ’s personable demeanor and predilection for insidious drollery .
While , like all character , Rhodey will eventually leave the MCU , that clip does n’t seem to be coming any prison term before long . TheIron Manhero is mark for more evolution and eccentric expiration whenArmor Warsreleases at a hitherto undisclosed time .
The third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man 2, is an action-superhero film that occurs six months after the original film’s events. After outing himself as the heavy metal superhero known as Iron Man, Tony Stark goes to great lengths to avoid demands from the government for his tech. But, unfortunately, the technology Tony used to save his life is beginning to impact his health inversely - just in time for a man named Ivan Vanko to arrive, who creates his version of the Iron Man tech to settle a decades-long score with Howard Stark’s son.
