IRON MAN 2 | An Interview with Don Cheadle
An Interview with Don Cheadle

May 3rd, 2010

Having tackled biopics ('Hotel Rwanda,' 'Talk to Me') and blockbusters ('Ocean's Eleven,' 'Crash'), Don Cheadle is about to gain a new fan base as 'Iron Man 2' is set to be released on May 7.

In the sequel, the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the armored super hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (played by Cheadle) at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces.

In replacing Terrence Howard as Rhodey/ War Machine, Cheadle could be in a position to have Marvel start a spin-off film for him, in addition to an appearance in the forthcoming 'Avengers' film.

In speaking with Blackfilm.com, the Kansas City native spoke about his role and where the future lies for his character.

Where did your love for comics begin?

Don Cheadle: I didn't really get into comics until I got into college, really. I was into 'Swamp Thing,' which wasn't a great movie, and I was into 'The Dark Knight,' which actually turned out to be pretty good, and 'Watchmen,' and that kind of thing.

When you watched the first film what was it that propelled you to say, "I can do this"? DC: When I saw the first film, I wasn't thinking at all about being in it. That came much later. The first film was a departure from the standard fare those movies can be. You have a character that's pretty complicated, and that's a good way to start.

You mentioned in other places that you took this on blind faith. What went through your mind when you accepted the role?

DC: I thought it would be exciting to be part of a movie like this. I liked the first one. The movie was made well and can be attributed to the company and people behind it. I thought it would be a good experience.

You and Terrence (Howard) both starred in the Oscar-winning film 'Crash' and now you're coming in as his replacement. Have you spoken to him since?

DC: Yeah, we still communicated afterward.

What style are you going bring to Jim Rhodes that is going to be different from the first one? DC: I don't know, I'm going leave that up to the audience to say what the difference is. I like to take the position of an actor taking on a role in a new story. I let the script tell me what to do, and that's how we went about it.

How was it wearing the armor as War Machine?

DC: Pretty heavy. I don't mean that spiritually. It's a big, heavy metal piece of equipment that doesn't really move that well. You really need industrial light and magic to come in and make the thing work.

Was this your first time working with CGI?

DC: No, I've done a couple movies that had CGI involved, but this was the biggest, for sure.

When working with John Favreau, how did he want you to approach the character? DC: There were no marching orders of how to approach the character. It was about how you deal with your best friend... I'm in the military, he's a free agent. How do we, as friends, continue to maintain the friendship when we seem to be at cross-purposes with what we think we should be doing for our country.

When you're working on a film with a built-in audience and a cast that has already worked together, what is it like working with them and making sure the chemistry stayed the same?

DC: It wasn't about keeping the chemistry the same. It was about letting it be whatever it was going to be and find our way into these characters naturally as opposed to trying to replicate something that came before. Giving us that breathing room was what it was all about.

How many films are you signed up for with this role?

DC: There's several, multiple, but it all depends on how this one performs.

Is there a chance of seeing War Machine in 'The Avengers?' DC: I imagine. The Marvel Universe does lay the groundwork for a lot of these characters to show up in each other's story. It's possible, yeah. Have you had your own talks in regards to having a spin-off movie with this character? DC: It would be fine, if it's something that seems to work for the Marvel mythology and people wanted it, it would be cool to do. It would be great.

Do you see this franchise moving into the 3-D world like every other movie these days?

DC: Isn't every movie going to be 3-D? I heard they're doing 'Kramer Vs. Kramer' in 3-D now. (laughs) I imagine there's going to be an opportunity for many movies to do that.

What are your thoughts on 3-D? Are you for it or against it?

DC: I'm not for it or against it. I think it enhances experiences sometimes and gets in the way other times. 'Avatar' was a really successful use of it. When it's made to be integrated as a part of it, it comes off well. I don't know how good it is when it's used on stuff after filming.

Were you pleased or disappointed with the box office performance of 'Brooklyn's Finest?' DC: I don't know, that's a always a situation that's really difficult to nail down. They could have spent more, maybe they would have, who knows? The studio's happy with it, it made its money back, and it's probably going to do well on DVD, so everyone's happy. Where are you with Miles Davis project? Is it coming along well? DC: We're writing the script, putting that together right now. After that happens we'll have to go out and try to find some money for it, that's the job.

Are you signed up for anything else?

DC: There's a film I did called 'The Guard' that I did earlier this year that's coming out soon.

When you were on the set of 'Iron Man 2' did the cast get together to mingle?

DC: No. We all have families. We were mostly going back home to see our people. When you're on the set for 12 hours you just want to go home.

Are there more films like 'Hotel Rwanda' or 'Talk to Me' that you want to bring to the big screen. Films on individuals whose life needs exploration?

DC: No, I'm done with biopics, except for the one I'm working on now.

At the end of the day, what keeps you grounded?

DC: Being a dad. A family man. Having friends that I've known longer than five minutes and are still in my life.

IRON MAN 2 OPENS ON MAY 7, 2010