15 Most Ridiculous MCU Controversies
7. Terrence Howard Gets Recast With Don Cheadle (Iron Man 2)
The Controversy: After Terrence Howard played Rhodey in the original Iron Man, he was recast with Don Cheadle taking the part for all future appearances.
Howard has a reputation for being difficult to work with but insisted that the reason for his departure was that Marvel paid him $8 million for his Iron Man role and offered him just $1 million for the sequel. Howard claims he called Robert Downey Jr. to try and help resolve the issue, but he didn't call back for three months.
Cue a brief torrent of outrage at Downey Jr. for not helping his co-star out, some whining about Marvel being tight with money, and everything soon enough returning to normal.
Why It's Ridiculous: Given Howard's erratic behaviour he's not exactly a reliable source here, and it's easy to see how he might have sour grapes about the whole thing.
Even if it's true, though, Don Cheadle is a decidedly better Rhodey anyway, and as entertaining as the character is, he's not really an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If he bailed, his absence wouldn't be lamented much at all.