Don Cheadle is to play Iron Man's best friend Jim Rhodes in the 2010 sequel to the superhero blockbuster after Terrence Howard pulled out of the film over a reported salary dispute.

Trade reports suggest Robert Downey Jr. will return as Iron Man/Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow will be back as Pepper Potts, but Howard will sit out the project.

Jon Favreau has also signed on to direct the sequel.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)