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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:

Marc

October 29, 2008

How Terrance Howard was treated is awful. I respect Cheadle as an actor but why the replacement? What is Cheadle going to do in a comic book movie that Howard couldn't? They are both Oscar nominated. What is the big difference?

Also I don't like The Hulk being in The Avengers. This should be the lineup - Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Wasp, Vision

What do you guys think about the lineup?

Posted by:

DarrenSuds

October 29, 2008

All the info that was touched on in this press release and all anyone seems to care about is Rhodey. I am far more interested to know who is going to direct The Avengers, and who, "The biggest foe ever", is going to be. Galactus???

Posted by:

jorge

October 29, 2008

itw'd be awesome if edward norton would direct hulk 2

Posted by:

Robert

October 29, 2008

We'll miss Howard as Rhodey, but let's give a chance to Cheadle, because he's a good actor as well. I can't wait for Iron Man 2 and The Avengers already.

Posted by:

Bellatrix LeStrange

October 29, 2008

@Someguy-you JUST noticed that every movie blogger on the internet thinks they are an arrogant expert critic. Hell I put up with this **** all the time. Its sick.

Posted by:

Bellatrix LeStrange

October 29, 2008

Oh and I didnt mind Hannibal because I still got to see Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. But I dont see why everyone is such an ass when it comes to Gambon playing Dumbledore. I think hes perfectly fine. Now if they replaced Alan Rickman as Snape then I would be pissed to no end.

Posted by:

E-Sense

October 29, 2008

I think this whole thing is going to come together really well. 2011 will be very interesting and exciting

Posted by:

E-Sense

October 29, 2008

I have to admit the one thing I didn't like about Iron Man was Terrence Howard's performance, he was kind of a big ***** , like he just walked in from Fantastic Four or Spiderman 3. I think Cheadle is a way better and cooler choice.

Posted by:

Sam

October 29, 2008

Casting and recasting has always been trivial in making superhero movies, but Cheadle and Howard look nothing alike. Moviegoers, if not already familar by googling Cheadle, will instantly see a big on-screen difference of the two actors. Cheadle is more reminscent of Wesley Snipes and Isaiah Washington. Howard is more reminscent of a Gary Dourdain, Common or Micheal Early: Three actors who would have been a better fit visually on screen. Even though Cheadle is a great actor, he lacks that on-screen, red carpet swagger like Terrance. To the ladies, who would you have save you Terrance or Don, even though covered in a metal suit????Some have said Angela Basett & Vivica Fox looked more like the comic's Storm than Hally Berry for the Xmen franchise. Some say Blair Underwood and Taye Diggs look more like the comic's John Stewart/Green Lanteran than rapper Common for the failed Justice League movie. The studio will have to rely on Cheadle's credible acting, wardrobe, and a high powered script to make this mis-casting work!

Posted by:

jay

October 29, 2008

Posted by: unknown on October 28, 2008 at 17:17:18

First off jay, it's not about who the better actor is between Howard & Cheadle (Cheadle of course). It's more the fact that recasting sucks & just diminishes the quality of the franchise & the character. I'm sorry but it's going to bug alot of folks (mainly people who are articulate about films) when watching "Iron Man" then watching "Iron Man 2" and see two different individuals playing the same role? It just doesn't work. It's unrealistic...it's a tainted mark on the franchise.

I disagree...if the change is positive, it shouldn't matter. Yes, you have to adjust to the change, but if done correctly, with a capable actor, the film will be great. For example...Casino Royale. Everyone I know hated the idea of Daniel Craig being Bond. In the end, it turns out that he was the best Bond ever.