War Machine Creator Discusses Iron Man 2

Bob Layton, co-creator of War Machine talks more with MTV News about the debut of the character and the casting change leading to Iron Man 2!

Bob Layton was asked what he thought about Jim Rhodes on the big screen versus in the comics:

“For the most part, I think keeping him in the military was an interesting idea,” said Layton. “The more I thought about it, the fact that he wasn’t an employee of Stark’s actually made their friendship work a little better. Part of the problem with the book is that all of Tony’s friends are his employees."

"It was unfortunate that so much of the characterization between Jim and Tony in the first movie wound up on the cutting room floor," he added. "If you see the DVD and the stuff they cut out. I loved some of the scenes they shot that didn’t make it into the movie because it really solidified their friendship.”

MTV also asked Bob on his thoughts about Don Cheadle taking over the role played by Terrance Howard in the first Iron Man:

“I thought [Howard] was good,” Layton said. “He looked more of the role than perhaps Don Cheadle does. Because Cheadle is a smaller guy and we always portrayed Jim Rhodes as a bigger guy. And Terrence Howard is obviously a terrific performer. All of the acting was first rate in [‘Iron Man’].”

“I think what they’ve got coming up in ‘Iron Man 2’ is terrific,” Layton continued. “Obviously Don Cheadle is an Academy Award nominee. How could he not bring something to role? I’m really anxious to see how Don Cheadle comes off as Jim Rhodes.”

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