The REAL Reason Marvel Fired War Machine

"NEXT TIME, BABY!" - Terrence Howard, Last online 11 years ago.

The fact that Terrence said, "Next time baby!" And never got that next time. 😔

I really like Don Chaedle and find it a shame his role was diminished in Iron Man 2 due to the Terrance Howard dispute between Marvel and his Agency. I always wonder how the MCU would've played out if War Machine had retained his relevance in the whole of the Iron Man trilogy

I thought Terrence Howard played a good part in the first movie but I had absolutely no idea that Rhodes and Stark were supposed to be good friends. I know now they are supposed to have a turbulent friendship but Terrence Howard played it so straight that I was completely unaware they were friends at all, it just seemed like Rhodes knew Stark through work but didn't have a lot of time for him. Once Don Cheadle came in you could suddenly see the warmth and camaraderie between the two of them. I imagine it's similar to Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly - a hell of a good actor who's just not quite right for that particular role.

It really was a shame because Terrance Howard's personality and appearance did resemble very comic book accurate War Machine, but Don Cheadle over the years proved his place. Crazy that he is nearing his late 50's.

Fun Fact: Don Cheadle is very confused as to why he won that award.

I personally liked Terrance's performance and wouldn't of minded seeing him go all the way; but business is business and I like Don too.

Love Terrance Howard, and was disappointed when he wasn’t coming back for Iron Man 2, but Don killed it so I was quickly over it, which is usually rare cases.

IMO It's hard to compare them since Terrence didn't even had the chance to wear the suit or get into action

Looking forward to Rhodes being front and center in Armor Wars

Howard's character was never meant to be an equal to Tony Stark in the movie. Howard was paid for his star status, because RDJ had no star status before Ironman 1. So when Ironman 2 came about, things had changed. Howard wanted to get paid as an equal star in the movie. Disney/Marvel disagreed. Marvel turned out to be right. Good for Cheadle. Not so good for Howard.

Terrance Howard has had so many chances to “break out” and make tons of money but he sabotages himself repeatedly. Don Cheadle is a working actor and a professional so is it better to have a “artist” or someone who understands this is a team effort and plays well with others? I think Marvel made a great choice.

On one hand, I can understand Terrance's perspective... and to be frank, I really liked him in that role in I.M. 1. That said, he had to know he wasn't going to get THAT kind of pay as a sidekick. Sometimes you need to take the short-term cut for longer-term benefit. Iron Man didn't kill his career. HE killed his career.

“Look it’s me, I’m here, deal with it.” Real AF way to address the swap

Robert did so well in iron man because he played a character that was much like himself in real life. A tragic soul who wanted to change and help people, becoming a hero.

Hiring Don Cheadle, who was really seen in the behind the scenes as someone who geniuinely enjoys the character and being a support character for Iron Man, was the best move they could ever make. The man basically owned the role because he understood the nature of the media he is working in. Howard on the other hand, felt like he had this "I'm the big star and I don't care if this movie fails" attitude to him.

Don Cheadle felt like he genuinely enjoyed playing the character Terence's performance felt like he didn't care for the film or the characters

They both did a good job but Don Cheadle really embodies Rhody for me. He's had much more time with the part so I guess that makes sense.

Important to note that the director cut down his scenes. The relationship of characters is acted out in small gestures throughout the film. If you reduce the number of scenes they are in pre-shoot, they have to give a more concentrated performance, become more of an archetype of themselves - hence "supporting role". If you do that post shoot... You simply water down the performance. Honestly, it's crazy to suggest that Howard's performance was the problem, when our only metric of judging that is by taking the word of Favreau, who himself edited Howard out of the movie. Important to note - Favreau's taste in movies is a subject of debate (Jungle book, Lion king, Cowboys vs Aliens? Etc...). It's very much possible that War Machine had was a co-lead in the original movie, and it was Favreau's personal bias that completely changed the tone of the movie. Studios don't pay 4 million for an actor they don't plan on using.

The Chead is the best. Love that guy. I'm honestly always excited when he pops up around the MCU (like his cameo in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier). Can't wait for him to take the leading man role in Disney+'s . He deserves it!