Details are finally beginning to emerge regarding actor Terrence
Howard's rather ignominious departure from Iron Man 2. Confirming what many of
us had assumed, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that money was at the source
of the dispute that led Marvel to recast Don Cheadle in the role of Tony
Stark's loyal wingman Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes.
But wait, there's oh, so much more:
"Howard was the first actor signed to the film
and, on top of that, was the highest-paid," claims EW. "That's right:
more than Gwyneth
Paltrow. More than Jeff Bridges. More
than Robert Downey
Jr. And once the project fully came together, it was too late to
renegotiate his deal."
Once again, the Notorious B.I.G.'s prescient words
ring true: Mo money, mo problems. And what genius had the bright idea to sign
an actor to a supporting role in a high-profile movie before even a director had been hired, you ask? Why,
it was former CEO of Marvel and arch-nemesis of fanboys everywhere, Avi Arad. Thanks Avi!