‘Iron Man’ Star Terrence Howard Alleges New Reason for Disney Firing

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Terrence Howard recently explained what he thinks led to his firing from Iron Man 2. He claims it started with a disagreement with producer Joel Silver at the Venice Film Festival in 2007. Howard said he asked Silver why he hadn’t received more credit for their previous film, The Brave One, especially after being nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Hustle & Flow (2005). According to Howard, the conversation quickly escalated.

Joel Silver explained to me why my name wasn’t featured more prominently in the movie’s credits. He said I wasn’t the lead – Jodie Foster was – and that if I were to receive an Oscar nomination, it would be in the Supporting Actor category, not Best Actor. I responded by thanking him for the clarification, but also firmly stating that he should treat me with respect, and that I wouldn’t tolerate being spoken to like that again.

Joel Silver worked with Susan Downey, Robert Downey Jr.’s wife, on the film The Brave One. Downey had previously collaborated with director Jon Favreau on Iron Man, which was scheduled to come out in May 2008—around the time of a disagreement. Silver also has a strong professional connection with Robert Downey Jr., having produced films like Gothika, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Sherlock Holmes. Howard later lost his role in Iron Man 2 eight months later and suggested, “I’m sure that all of those things played their part.” Neither Silver nor Susan Downey have responded to Howard’s statements.


Paramount Pictures

This new information complicates the story of Terrence Howard’s departure from Iron Man 2. It’s not the first time he’s suggested someone from the Downey family was responsible for his firing. Back in 2013, Howard publicly blamed Robert Downey Jr., stating that Downey Jr. took money meant for him and used it to prevent Howard’s return for the sequel. Howard also said he attempted to reach out to Downey Jr. about this, but didn’t receive a response for three years.

Shortly after Jon Favreau agreed to direct Iron Man 2 on October 14, 2008, Terrence Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle. Over time, it became known that Favreau had a difficult working relationship with Howard during the first Iron Man film and had to significantly re-edit many of his scenes. Interestingly, before Disney bought Marvel in 2009, Howard voiced a character in Disney’s animated film The Princess & the Frog that same year.

Taraji P. Henson later became famous for her role in the popular TV show Empire. In 2019, Empire became part of the Walt Disney Company when Disney bought 20th Century Fox. In 2020, Henson sued 20th Century Fox (now owned by Disney) over money she was owed for her work on Empire. She claims this led to her being excluded from opportunities in Hollywood.

Howard said something that really struck me. Apparently, I’m off someone’s good graces because I spoke up, and that’s a major no-no in their world. He explained it as this: you’re never supposed to complain, even if you’re being taken advantage of. The expectation is to just silently endure it and keep working. And I, Howard said, broke that rule. I couldn’t stay quiet.

Despite no longer being welcome at Disney, Howard has continued to work steadily since his lawsuit. He’s appeared in two original series for Peacock – The Best Man: The Final Chapter in 2022 and Fight Night: Million Dollar Heist in 2024 – and starred in three films in 2024 alone: Skeletons in the Closet, Shirley, and Crescent City.




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2026-03-07 21:37