Actor Don Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard as Robert Downey Jr’s in “Iron Man 2?. Reportedly there were financial issues with Howard, so they just replaced him with Cheadle. Read more below.The Marvel Studio’s “Iron Man” had Terrence Howard as Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark’s right-hand man. In one scene in the movie, Terrence Howard looked at the silver armor suit and said, “next time”.

But it doesn’t look like Howard will get to wearing that awesome costume.

Marvel did not comment, but reportedly the deal with Terrence Howard fell through over money, and other reasons. So Marvel, who had always wanted to work with Don Cheadle, approached him to be the character.

Cheadle is currently filming Antoine Fuqua’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

Tony Star/Iron Man’s friend’s role is expected to have a much larger part in the sequel, which is rumored to go beyond high-tech villains. Justin Theroux is writing the screenplay.

Jon Favreau will return as director, and of course Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to be back as Stark’s assistant, Pepper Potts.

The sequel, “Iron Man 2?, is supposedly scheduled for release on May 7, 2010.Don

Don Cheadle’s most recedon-cheadlent movie was “Traitor,” a thriller in which he also directs. Cheadle’s next film will be “Hotel for Dogs.”

So what do you guys think of Don Cheadle taking over for Terrence Howard in the Iron Man sequel?

Images: WENN