While doing the press rounds for Pride, a dramatic film inspired by the true story of schoolteacher/swim coach Jim Ellis – the man responsible for founding the P.D.R. (Philadelphia Department of Recreation) Swim Team – Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard briefly discussed his next huge project: Iron Man. Starring Robert Downey Jr, directed by Jon Favreau (Zathura), and based on the comic book series, Iron Man is the story of a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor named Tony Stark who dons powerful armor to protect the world. Paramount Pictures will launch Iron Man in theaters on May 2, 2008.
The Fantasy World of Iron Man: Howard approached his role in the comic book-inspired film as we would any dramatic role. Asked if it’s any different preparing for a fantasy film, Howard replied, “Well, not when you’re working with Robert Downey Jr. There ain’t no fantasy there. (Laughing) You’re talking about getting ready for some action. You know, what I love about him and Jon Favreau is you cannot predict who they are and what they’re thinking. And then you add Jeff Bridges to the mix. I still think he’s on that film that he did with Kevin Spacey, you know? He’s from another planet because he’s present but then he’s ahead of you at the same time, and you’re trying to converse with him. And then we’ve got Gwyneth Paltrow, so there’s nothing fantastico about it. It’s like, ‘Alright, you said you wanted to be an actor?’ Every single one of these people has been nominated for or won an Academy Award. ‘So now let’s see what you’re made of.’”
Describing His Iron Man Character: “I play a guy named James Rhodes who becomes War Machine. I’m a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and I’m liaison between Starks Enterprises and the military in the Department of Acquisitions.”
The Look of Iron Man: Despite rumors to the opposite, Howard says that he has yet to be fitted for a costume. “We didn’t do the costumes yet. I didn’t see them do any of Tony Stark’s costumes. But the outfits that these people had on were amazing. They looked beautiful in them.”
The Decision to be a Part of Iron Man: “I took this role and I wanted to work with Robert Downey because he has a spontaneity and a fearlessness that I get close to, but I’m still very conservative and reserved in the choices I make,” said Howard. “He doesn’t care. He just does it. He believes in jumping out of the aircraft at 25,000 feet in the air and just going ‘whoooooooo’ all the way down. (Laughing) I want to learn that. I want to learn that.”
No Luke Cage in Howard’s Future: Director John Singleton’s frustrated with the development of Luke Cage, but that’s of no concern to Howard anymore. Long rumored to be a part of that film, Howard confirmed he’s no longer involved. “I’m not in that,” was all Howard had to say about the delayed Luke Cage film.
