When Terrence Howard scored a co-starring role in the original 2008 blockbuster Iron Man, he believed that he was poised to cement his A-list status and potentially gain his own Marvel franchise.
However, in just two short years he was dropped from the film’s sequel and replaced by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle in the part of Lt. Col. James Rhodes (a.k.a. War Machine).
Rumor has it that Howard’s clashes with the filmmakers on the first superhero film led to his departure. While he initially described his exit from the series as amicable, the Dead Man Down star is now saying it ‘killed’ his career, according to Hollywood.com.
According to the website, Howard said: “I chose not to fight back, not to deal with the allegations, but to continue forward and do what I had to do. I had to start all over: went from making $6 million a movie, back to $60 thousand a movie. But as long as you don’t give up you are able … I’ll make $20 million soon. Because I have learned the lessons of yesterday.”
“Marvel and I are now talking about doing some other things. And Don Cheadle wanted to play that part before I wanted to play it, so everything is very well,” he added.
Cheadle is set to reprise the role of Rhodes in Iron Man 3 which opens on May 3rd.