Didn’t we tell you Don Cheadle was going to take off?

GIANT’s Aug/Sept ’08 cover star recently landed a starring role in Ironman 2, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard (who coincidentally graced the cover of GIANT April/May ’08) in the role of Jim Rhodes after negotiations between Howard and Marvel Studios broke down.

In both the film and comic book series, Rhodes is Ironman/Tony Starks’ best friend, an esteemed military commander and eventually gets to his own super-suit in the form of War Machine.

Ironman 2 is slated to hit theaters on May 7, 2010.