Overview
- Speaking on the PBD Podcast, Howard says he warned producer Joel Silver at the 2007 Venice Film Festival that he would “knock [his] teeth out” during a dispute over billing on The Brave One.
- He believes that confrontation contributed to Marvel dropping him months later before Iron Man 2, though he presents it as part of a larger chain of events.
- Howard notes Silver’s partner on The Brave One was Susan Downey, Robert Downey Jr.’s wife, and the Rhodey role subsequently went to Don Cheadle.
- Earlier reporting indicated director Jon Favreau planned to minimize Rhodey in the sequel, which aligned with a sharply reduced salary offer that fueled a contract dispute.
- Outlets say there is no outside confirmation of Howard’s new claim; he also reflects that his own “aggression” hurt career opportunities, citing advice he attributes to Denzel Washington.