Former Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter has been subjected to highly publicized controversies over the years for several reasons. From his feud with Kevin Feige to a series of eccentricities, his exit from the Superhero company ensured a non-toxic work environment for many. But to date, his reported comments over the recasting of War Machine will be one of the ugliest allegations of his career.
When Terrence Howard was replaced with Don Cheadle as James Rhodes aka War Machine in Iron Man 2, it created a massive fuss. It was a case of salary dispute and Howard has presented his disappointment several times over the issue. But the alleged comment by the former Marvel CEO paints an uglier and darker picture of his personality.
What did the former Marvel head say about the Iron Man 2 recast?
Ike Perlmutter made a massive contribution to the rise of the MCU. Even after his controversies, it can’t be denied that he was a key figure in Marvel’s rise to such a level. He was also responsible for selling the company to Disney, but he continued to overlook the Marvel Studios till 2015. It must be noted that as much as he helped the studio, he also allegedly invited some massive controversies.
In a report published in 2012 by the Financial Times, Ike Perlmutter was accused of a very ugly and controversial racial comment over Terrence Howard‘s exit. Howard exited Robert Downey Jr.’s second Iron Man outing due to salary disputes and Don Cheadle joined the cast on a cheaper deal.
Allegedly, he said to former Disney consumer products head Andy Mooney that no one would notice the recast because- “black people ‘look the same'”. The comment was never confirmed but it has raised controversies over the years. Later it also revealed that Mooney along with more African-American female execs left the company over issues with Perlmutter.
In his memoir, The Ride of a Lifetime, Disney CEO Bob Iger also wrote how Ike Perlmutter didn’t want Black Panther and Captain Marvel to happen. The former head was notorious for his intense frugality and believed that nobody would watch the movies. However, the results were the opposite and both the MCU projects proved to be huge billion-dollar blockbusters.
Ike Perlmutter also wanted Kevin Feige to be fired
Soon after firing Marvel Exec Victoria Alonso, Disney also fired the Marvel Entertainment CEO, Ike Perlmutter earlier this year. Reportedly, Ike Perlmutter tried hard to remove MCU head Kevin Feige from the throne in 2015. But Bob Iger saved the day as he not only protected Feige’s seat but also allowed him to directly report to Disney’s executive Alan Horn.
It is praiseworthy how Kevin Feige was saved as he is one of the primary reasons, MCU rose to the ranks of such a franchise giant. Feige also progressed to be the President of the Marvel Studios and the leading face of the company.
As Disney took a series of steps to ensure a better work atmosphere and implement cost-cutting, Perlmutter was also removed. According to The New York Times, it is also said that Perlmutter tried to change Disney’s board of directors which along with his other notorious feats might also be the cause of his departure from the company.
