When most people think of the MCU, they think of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. And while he is undoubtedly the face of the franchise, he's not the only actor who has played the role. In fact, Terrence Howard was the first actor to don the iron suit in the very first MCU film, Iron Man.
Howard's performance as Tony Stark was well-received by audiences and critics alike, but unfortunately, he was not able to return for the sequel. This was due to a combination of creative differences and financial disputes between Howard and Marvel.
Despite not being in the MCU anymore, Howard's impact on the franchise cannot be understated. He was the one who set the tone for Iron Man's character and laid the foundation for Downey Jr.'s iconic performance.
Without Terrence Howard, the MCU would be a very different place.
When most people think of the MCU, the first actor that comes to mind is Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. What many don’t know is that Terrence Howard was the first actor to play the role of Tony Stark. Howard’s performance as Tony Stark was well-received but he was not able to return for the sequel due to creative differences and financial disputes between him and Marvel.
Despite not being in the MCU, Howard’s impact on the franchise cannot be understated. He was the one who set the tone for Iron Man’s character and laid the foundation for Downey Jr.’s iconic performance.
Without Terrence Howard, the MCU would be a very different place.
Terrence Howard's thoughts on the MCU's Iron Man
The MCU's Iron Man is a fascinating character. He's a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. He's a self-made man who's overcome incredible odds to become one of the most powerful people in the world.
He's also a bit of an egomaniac. He's arrogant, cocky, and sometimes downright annoying.
But that's what makes him so great. He's not perfect, he's flawed. And that's what makes him human.
I think Terrence Howard said it best when he described Tony Stark as "a man who's trying to do good, but he's fighting himself all the time."
Tony Stark is a complex character, and that's what makes him so fascinating. He's not a one-dimensional superhero. He's a real person with real problems.
And that's what makes him one of the best characters in the MCU