Downey: I love Terrence Howard

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. says he wasn't in on the decision to replace his "Iron Man" co-star Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle in the sequel.

Howard, who has starred in "Hustle & Flow," "The Brave One" and "August Rush," played Jim Rhodes, the man who would eventually become superhero War Machine, in the first installment of the "Iron Man" franchise.

Cheadle has starred in "Ocean's Eleven" and its two sequels, as well as "Hotel Rwanda," "Talk to Me" and "Reign Over Me."

Howard reportedly was replaced by his "Crash" co-star Cheadle because Howard and the studio making the film couldn't reach a deal due to financial differences.

"I had nothing to do with that decision," Downey Jr. told MTV of the choice to replace Howard with Cheadle. "I love Terrence very, very much. That's all I'll say because I haven't talked to him yet."

Downey Jr. recently signed a deal to reprise his role of Iron Man in two sequels and the superhero ensemble movie "The Avengers."