In a dramatic turn of events that rivals the excitement of Tony Stark’s suit upgrades, Terrence Howard has accused Robert Downey Jr. of playing a major role in his Iron Man salary fiasco.

Howard reveals that during the early days of Iron Man, Marvel had another actor in mind for the role of Tony Stark.

However, Downey Jr. stepped in after initial hesitations from the studio, eventually securing the role and making history.

Howard’s narrative adds a twist: as the original Rhodey, Howard was reportedly paid between $3.5 and $4.5 million, the highest salary on set at the time.

He was promised an additional $5 million for Iron Man 2, but the sequel’s production didn’t go as planned. After the success of the first film,

Howard’s role and salary were drastically reduced. Instead of the expected $8 million, he was offered only $1 million.

The plot thickens with Howard’s claims of betrayal. He reached out to Downey Jr. for assistance, making 38 calls and leaving multiple messages, but received no response.

Howard claims that Downey Jr. took a significant portion of the Marvel earnings, leaving him with far less than expected. “I’ve given him $100 million,”

Howard stated, lamenting his financial loss and feeling exploited despite his efforts to support Downey Jr. early on.

In a conversation with Andy Cohen, Howard further detailed his grievances, alleging that Downey Jr. took the money meant for him and pushed him out of the franchise.

Howard claims Marvel offered him “one-eighth” of what was initially promised because they believed the sequel would succeed without him. His requests for help went unanswered for months.

Downey Jr. has denied these allegations, maintaining that he had no influence over the salary adjustments. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to grow, the tension from Howard’s departure lingers.

Terrence Howard’s Post-Iron Man Path: From Screen Success to Retirement Talk

Following his exit from the Iron Man franchise, Terrence Howard has kept busy with diverse projects.

He voiced a character in The Princess and the Frog, starred in Red Tails, and appeared alongside Bill Murray in St. Vincent.

On television, he made a mark with roles in Law & Order: LA, Empire, and Wayward Pines. Empire particularly highlighted Howard’s talent, turning him and co-star Taraji P. Henson into household names.

Despite his success, Howard has hinted at retirement. While he hinted at stepping back in 2019, he continued to take on new roles.

By December 2022, he announced his intention to retire, stating, “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 is ready to let new stars shine in his stead.

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