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Iron Man cast grows

Back on September 29th we learned that Robert Downey Jr. had been cast as the lead -- Tony Stark/Iron Man -- for 2008's Iron Man movie, and today we have it confirmed that Terrence Howard has been cast as James Rhodes, chopper pilot, sometimes bodyguard and general right hand man to Stark.

Director Jon Favreau us thusfar doing a fine job of casting, starting with a nuanced actor such as Downey and then adding an Academy Award nominee/rising star in another strong (well, I'm presuming that's the case -- it isn't as if I've seen the script) role is making this a film to watch for come May 2, 2008.

My sole reservation to date remains that no mention is being made of the armor being at least initially required as life support for Stark. Take that element out too soon and one has a billionaire in a suit of armor that grants him super powers. This would leave the screenwriter looking for some other angle for tragedy/angst for the character, which would lead me to ask why someone thought that necessary. I'd hoped by this point that making changes simply to do something different is a bad move in these comics to film transitions. Keep what works.

Full press release below:

Marvel's IRON MAN continues to attract Hollywood gold as Marvel Studios announced today that Academy Award(R) Nominee Terrence Howard has joined the cast of the highly-anticipated film. Howard will take on the role of Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony Stark aka Iron Man's best friend, in the project slated to launch into theaters May 2, 2008.

The addition of Howard solidifies an impressive foundation for Marvel Entertainment's first self-financed and produced feature film that also includes Oscar(R) nominee Robert Downey Jr. in the title role and Jon Favreau directing. The move also reinforces the continued allure of Marvel's Super Hero universe among Hollywood's most celebrated actors.

As Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes, Howard will portray Tony Stark's confidant and associate. Rhodey is an accomplished military pilot. His daring and skills become valuable assets to Tony Stark -- the billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who becomes the armored Super Hero known as Iron Man.

"When we first began to think about IRON MAN, we always envisioned Terrence as Rhodey. The richness of the role and complexity of the character seemed to mesh perfectly with the type of passion, energy and emotion that Howard brings to all of his projects," said Kevin Feige, President of Production, Marvel Studios. "Now with Terrence on board to co-star alongside Robert, we cannot be more excited about the great chemistry they will bring to IRON MAN."

Howard exploded onto the Hollywood scene in 2005 after delivering strong performances in such films as Hustle & Flow, for which he received an Academy Award(R) Best Actor nod, and the Oscar(R)-winning Best Picture Crash. He has received awards for Breakthrough Actor by the National Board of Review, Movieline and Gotham Awards. Howard recently completed production on The Brave One with Jodie Foster, and
is currently in production on Spring Break In Bosnia with Richard Gere. His recent film credits also include Idlewild, Get Rich or Die Tryin', and Four Brothers.

Marvel Studios is currently casting all other supporting roles. Filming is slated to begin in Los Angeles in February 2007. The film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

IRON MAN will be produced by Avi Arad and Kevin Feige. Executive Producers are Michael Helfant, Ari Arad, Jon Favreau, Louis D'Esposito and Peter Billingsley. Howard is represented by the William Morris Agency, managed by Shakim Compere and Victoria Fredrick of Flavor Unit, and his attorney is Stewart Levy.

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