The trades have finally confirmed what we all new already anyway: Hustle & Flow star Terrence Howard is officially on board for John Favreau’s upcoming superheror movie Iron Man. He’ll play the friend of Iron Man’s billionaire alter-ego Tony Stark, a guy named Jim Rhodes. Stark is of course, still being played by Gay Perry’s crime-solving partner Robert Downey Jr.

In the comics Rhodes has his own separate piece of iron combat armor, and when he’s in it runs around calling himself War Machine. So far we’ve seen nothing to indicate that’ll play a part in this first film, but if Iron Man does well, don’t be surprised to see Terrence Howard in iron underwear for the sequel.

For this film, Rhodes will be Stark’s confidante and a high ranking military officer and aviator who helps guide the project that gives Tony Stark his metal suit of mighty powers.