Terrence Howard: Recommended Robert Downey Jr. For Iron Man Terrence Howard is taking credit for Robert Downey Jr. Getting the role to play Tony Stark in the Iron Man films. I highly doubt that Howard had any say in the casting of Downey in the Iron Man films, but you never know. "For me to have recommended him, it means all the more so that I helped someone get to where they are supposed to go," the Crash star continued. "Marvel and I are now talking about doing some other things. And Don Cheadle wanted to play that part before I wanted to play it, so everything is very well." Then he went on to dispel any notion that he had a falling out with the studio or director Jon Favreau. "Despite the customary idea or thought that there's some controversy, it was a wonderful split and I know that they've done well," Howard claimed. "Robert Downey Jr. was born to play that part and it was wonderful that that part has given him the stature