Terrence Howard Blames Downey Jr. for Iron Man Exit

In one of Hollywood’s most surprising twists, Terrence Howard has opened up about his dramatic exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and his strained relationship with Robert Downey Jr. over an intense Iron Man salary dispute.

And according to Howard, it wasn’t just a minor disagreement—he claims Downey Jr. is directly responsible for his departure from the franchise.

Keep reading for more details!

A Look Back at Iron Man’s Early Days

When Iron Man hit theaters in 2008, it wasn’t just the beginning of Marvel Studios‘ reign at the box office—it was the start of a saga both on-screen and off.

Behind the scenes, there was serious drama brewing, especially for Terrence Howard, who originally played James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine.

Back then, Howard was reportedly the highest-paid actor in the film, earning between $3.5 million and $4.5 million for his role.

Marvel had promised him a juicy pay raise of an extra $5 million if he returned for Iron Man 2. However, as the MCU gained momentum, things didn’t go as smoothly for Howard.

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A Mega-Hit with Unexpected Consequences

While Iron Man was a smash hit and cemented Robert Downey Jr. as the face of the MCU, Howard’s journey in the franchise took a sudden turn.

According to Howard, Marvel drastically reduced his role in the sequel, cutting not just his screen time but also his paycheck. Instead of the expected $8 million payday for Iron Man 2, Howard says he was only offered $1 million.

Feeling blindsided, Howard reached out to Downey Jr. for support. He made an astounding 38 calls to his co-star, trying to secure the money he believed he was owed.

“I called Robby and was like, ‘Look, man…’ I left messages with his assistants, called him at least 17 times that day, and 21 the next, and finally left a message saying, ‘Look, man, I need the help that I gave you.’ Never heard from him,” Howard told Rolling Stone in 2015.

The Fallout: Who Got the Bigger Slice?

Howard believes Downey Jr. was the main beneficiary of his pay cut, claiming that the money that was supposed to go to him ended up in Downey Jr.’s bank account.

“Guess who got the millions I was supposed to get? He got the whole franchise,” Howard said.

He went on to estimate that his loss amounted to a staggering $100 million, as Downey Jr. went on to become the face of Marvel, headlining numerous films, including the Avengers series.

Yet, despite feeling betrayed, Howard insists he would do it all over again.

“I’ve actually given him $100 million… but, you know, to this day, I would do the same thing. It’s just my nature,” he said.

Marvel’s One-Eighth Offer: The Final Straw

In a later interview with Andy Cohen, Howard shared even more about the behind-the-scenes drama.

“It turns out the person I helped become Iron Man, when it was time to re-up for the second one, took the money that was supposed to go to me and pushed me out.”

He claimed that Marvel was willing to pay him “one-eighth of what we contractually had for you” because they were confident that Iron Man 2 would succeed without him.

Howard’s frustration grew when Downey Jr. reportedly ghosted him for months during this critical time.

While Howard was desperately seeking help, Downey Jr. remained silent, causing a rift that would never be mended.

For his part, Downey Jr. has denied having any involvement in Howard’s salary cuts, maintaining that the decisions were made without his input.

Regardless, the tension between the two actors continues to simmer in Hollywood lore.

Howard’s Post-Marvel Journey: From the Big Screen to Retirement Talks

Although Howard’s MCU stint ended abruptly, his acting career didn’t slow down.

After leaving Iron Man, he went on to tackle a variety of roles.

He voiced James in The Princess and the Frog, portrayed Colonel A.J. Bullard in Red Tails, and shared the screen with Bill Murray in St. Vincent.

On the small screen, Howard found great success, starring in Law & Order: LA, Wayward Pines, and, most notably, Empire, where he played Lucious Lyon, a role that catapulted him back into the spotlight.

Empire was a major hit, turning Howard and co-star Taraji P. Henson into household names once again.

The show ran for six seasons, and its popularity only grew with time.

Howard’s portrayal of the complicated and ruthless music mogul Lucious earned him critical acclaim and solidified his place as a powerful actor in television.

Would you have liked if Terrence Howard continued playing Rhodey or you thought Don Cheadle was great in the role?
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Rumors of Retirement

Despite his continued success, Howard hinted at retirement as early as 2019.

In a candid interview, he said he was ready to step away from acting.

By December 2022, Howard doubled down on those statements, saying, “I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor. Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself.”

It seems Howard may be ready to exit the stage and allow the next generation of talent to take over.

Whether or not this retirement is permanent remains to be seen, as Howard has dropped similar hints in the past only to return for more projects.

A Legacy Beyond Marvel

While his exit from the MCU was marred by controversy and drama, Howard’s career trajectory post-Iron Man shows that he wasn’t defined by the loss of the War Machine role.

From award-winning performances to iconic TV characters, Howard has continued to leave his mark on the entertainment industry.

Even if his departure from the MCU still stings, he’s proven that his talent and determination can overcome Hollywood’s toughest obstacles.

As for the Howard-Downey Jr. saga? It remains one of the most infamous behind-the-scenes feuds in modern superhero cinema, serving as a reminder that even in a universe as expansive as Marvel’s, the real-life drama can be just as compelling as the on-screen action.

Conclusion

• Terrence Howard blames Robert Downey Jr. for his departure from the Iron Man franchise, citing a drastic salary cut and lack of support.
• Howard was initially the highest-paid actor in Iron Man but claims his pay was reduced to one-eighth of what was promised for the sequel.
• Howard reached out to Downey Jr. multiple times for help but was reportedly ignored, further straining their relationship.
• Despite the controversy, Downey Jr. has denied involvement in Howard’s pay cut, leaving the matter unresolved.
• Howard’s post-Iron Man career flourished, with standout roles in Empire, Red Tails, and The Princess and the Frog.
• Howard has hinted at retirement, stating he’s given his best to acting and is now focusing on supporting new talent.
• The Howard-Downey Jr. feud remains one of Hollywood’s most notable behind-the-scenes dramas in the superhero world.

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