Don Cheadle is The New Iron Man

Don Cheadle is The New Iron Man (N/A)

Robert Downey Jr. will have a new partner in the sequel of tin-man superhero, Iron Man II.

Terrence Howard is no longer play the role of Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man’s best friend. Howard will be replaced with Don Cheadle, the actor who once got a lot of praise for his act in 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda, and earn him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role. 43-year-old Cheadle will step in as pilot Jim Rhodes, a character who in the Iron Man comic books later becomes the armor-wearing hero War Machine.

In one scene of last summer box-office, Iron Man, after Iron Man takes off to save Pepper, Rhodes stated a line “Next time, baby”, while looking at a silver suit of armor. Hmm… too bad Howard won’t be the one who will actually wear the armor. Marvel had no comment about the replacement, but according to inside sources, negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons.

Then, Marvel decided to take the role in another direction and approached Cheadle, who is currently shooting Brooklyn’s Finest with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke. Justin Theroux writing the screenplay of Iron Man II. Jon Favreau is returning as director, and Downey is expected back as billionaire industrialist Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow is also expected to be back as Stark’s assistant/budding love interest, Pepper Potts. The movie is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010.

Welcome to the club, Mr. Cheadle!

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