'IRON MAN' FIRING SHOCKS TERRENCE HOWARD: Actor says he found out he was dropped from film when rest of the world did.

Terrence Howard says he found out about Don Cheadle replacing him in the forthcoming "Iron Man" sequel the way everyone else did – by reading it in the trade magazines.

The actor told NPR that he expected to play an expanded role in the sequel – especially since his character – which goes on to become the superhero War Machine – uttered the words "Next time" in the first film, sending comic book fans into a flurry of anticipation.

But, Hollywood Reporter and Variety magazines reported last week that Howard would be replaced by Don Cheadle in the sequel. Howard said it was the first time he had become aware that his contract was terminated.

He explained to NPR: "It was the surprise of a lifetime. There was no explanation. [The contract] just...up and vanished. I read something in the trades implicating that it was about money or something, but apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren't worth the paper that they're printed on, sometimes. Promises aren't kept, and good faith negotiations aren't always held up."