In a surprise turn of events, The Hollywood Reporter today announced that Don Cheadle is stepping in to replace Terrence Howard in IRON MAN 2, the sequel to one of this summer’s biggest blockbusters.

Howard played the character of Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr’s) best friend who is destined to become WAR MACHINE, another iron-clad hero who fights side by side with Stark.

One scene from IRON MAN featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying “Next time,” a line that was seen as a direct reference to the aforementioned destiny, but now it looks like there will be no “next time”, for Howard at least.

According to THR:

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 bigger role in the next installment, which is currently being written by Justin Theroux with Jon Favreau pegged to direct.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter