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Downey Jr., Favreau & Cheadle Suit Up for The Avengers!

Source:Marvel Entertainment

October 28, 2008

Marvel Studios has sent out the following two-part production update for Iron Man 2 and The Avengers!

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS' THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2

As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.

Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.

In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.

DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2

Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes in Marvel's IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.

Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.

"We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights," said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN'S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.

Based on Marvel's iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer's box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D'Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.

In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they've ever faced.

The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.

COMMENTS (87)

Posted by:

Phil

October 28, 2008

I agree with "that guy," "x chaostactic x" and "just an opinion." Changing Howard to Cheadle will not change anything. Rhodey's character had about as much screen time as Dawes' character did in The Black Knight (inside joke from a previous post, don't go calling me stewpid because I replace the word Dark with Black). As for people who are saying Cheadle will not do as well as Howard...who has the Oscar?

Posted by:

Tyler

October 28, 2008

Posted by: Scottamalla on October 28, 2008 at 18:09:39

"I believe it was Terrance Howard's fault that he wasn't re-signed for the sequel(s). It's all about the money, as we all know, and apparently Terry wanted too much."

That was proven to be false. Howard's agent wanted a pay raise for him (since Rhodey's part will be expanded in IM2) without consulting with his client first. Howard found out he was out of the film the same way the rest of us did......"it was the shock of a life time", he said. So, please, stop blaming Howard. He had every intention of continuing on with the franchise. It might be wise for him to look for other representation, though!

Posted by:

Kaw

October 28, 2008

ummm what!?

Posted by:

Bleek Gillium

October 28, 2008

Take a look at the Iron Man deleted scenes, most of them featured Howard, so I think the writing was on the wall for a new War Machine after the first movie wrapped

Posted by:

'Tino

October 28, 2008

I with you RavenlordAriel.

Posted by:

stylz!

October 28, 2008

Thats Bull S**t... I Just Cant See Don Cheadle As A Superhero letalone War Machine.... Not Diggin It At All... They Didnt Rely Let Terrance Howard Spread His Wings In The First One We Where Going Finally See Him Do So In The Second One....

Posted by:

smacky

October 28, 2008

Cheadle sucks. I wont be going to anymore iron man related movies.

Posted by:

The TeeJ

October 28, 2008

It happens all the time. James Bond, Doctor Who, Batman, Elisabeth Shue in the Back to the Future movies, Terminator 3,Superman Returns, Fresh Prince of Belair had the mom recast after a couple seasons!

No matter how you feel about these movies, none of them has failed largely because of the recasting. They're both good. I'm sure it was a money issue, and they probably want to go with an older/more mature Rhodey. I did think it was weird how he seemed to be too young.

Posted by:

Yup

October 28, 2008

Yeah, abosolutely no offense to Don Cheadle but I'm a little sad that Terrence Howard wont play Rhodey in Iron Man 2 and the Avengers movie cause I thought he was great, and he's version of Rhodey would have been sweet to see as WAR MACHINE.

Posted by:

roger

October 28, 2008

I for one am extremely disapponted that terrance howard want be back as rhodey, I thought he was perfect for the part, it will be strange see don cheadle in the role, although i thinkhe is a good actor, switching between the two will b a big problem for iron man 2. Unless cheadle is phenominal, it wiil defintely bring the movie down in the eyes of a lot of people, including yours truely.