Terrence Howard's out of Iron Man 2

In a surprise move, Don Cheadle has been hired to replace Terrence Howard as Jim Rhodes in Iron Man 2 after Howard couldn't close a deal with Marvel.

Looks like Howard spoke a little too soon when he said "next time" when gazing at Iron Man's armour in the Jon Favreau film. Because thanks to rumoured financial differences, he won't be back.

Neither side has officially commented on the issue, according to The Hollywood Reporter , but there were apparently more than just financial reasons for Howard's departure.

More Rhodes

It's a shame for him - though a bonus for Cheadle - as Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes will be enjoying more screen time in the second Iron Man outing, which will most likely see him assuming the mantle of fellow suited hero War Machine. Cheadle will co-star alongside Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts.

Favreau is working with Justin Theroux on the script now, with the film scheduled to open here in summer 2010.