Iron Man’s New Era: Robert Downey Jr. Recast, Tom Cruise to Lead Marvel Franchise

Since the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2008’s Iron Man, persistent rumors have circulated about Tom Cruise potentially embodying the iconic role of Tony Stark. The casting of Robert Downey Jr. in the titular role ultimately solidified the actor’s status as a cinematic icon, yet the question of why Cruise was not selected has remained a subject of speculation.

It is well-documented that Cruise was considered for the part during the early stages of the project. This led to widespread anticipation of a potential appearance as an alternate Iron Man within the multiverse, as seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, the precise reasons behind the decision to cast Downey Jr. have remained elusive until recently.

Most recently, we learned the news that after Robert Downey Jr., who, of course, has iconically played Tony Stark/Iron Man in the MCU for what seems like 3000 years (the fans who get it, get it) would be returning after we all thought he has departed Marvel forever.

A seismic shift occurred at Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel when the unexpected reveal of Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom took center stage. The announcement came as a surprise to fans, especially considering Downey Jr.’s iconic portrayal of Iron Man.

The news was coupled with the revelation of the Russo Brothers’ return to the director’s chair for not one, but two Avengers films: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. This strategic move, replacing the previously announced Avengers: Kang Dynasty, signifies a significant retooling of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Six.

The decision to recast Jonathan Majors as Kang Dynasty’s primary antagonist in light of recent legal troubles has paved the way for this unexpected narrative shift. The introduction of Dr. Doom, a character synonymous with complex villainy, marks a bold and ambitious direction for the franchise.

With Downey Jr.’s transformation from beloved hero to formidable villain, the stage is set for an epic showdown that promises to redefine the boundaries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Former Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star Jonathan Majors has publicly expressed his disappointment over the recent announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will portray Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars films.

Majors was originally slated to assume the role of Kang the Conqueror as the primary antagonist for the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, following legal troubles and subsequent dismissal from the role, Marvel Studios made the unexpected decision to recast the villain and bring back Downey Jr. in a surprising new capacity.

In a candid conversation with TMZ, Majors expressed his heartbreak over the news, acknowledging the iconic nature of the Doctor Doom character while also expressing his affection for the role of Kang. The actor’s comments highlight the unexpected nature of the casting change and its impact on the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“Yeah, heartbroken. Of course,” Majors answered when TMZ asked him if he was hurt by the new direction Marvel was taking. “I love Kang. Doctor Doom is wicked, though.”

Now, it is being suggested that there will be a new Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Downey occupied as the villain, with the multi-yeared rumor of Tom Cruise joining the cast.

MCU Film News shared, “Marvel Studios is reportedly trying again to get Tom Cruise as an Iron Man variant for the Avengers films.”

Marvel Studios is reportedly trying again to get Tom Cruise as an Iron Man variant for the Avengers films.

(Source: @MyTimeToShineH) pic.twitter.com/3ls3ArFMbo

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) August 1, 2024

Even in the latest Deadpool & Wolverine movie, we once again were reminded how each variant was accessed in the MCU, with Deadpool having hundreds of his variants appear on screen at once and Wolverine’s variants popping up in a montage until the movie’s “Logan” was found. From this, we also learned that a variant does not need to look the same in another timeline, which could make it easy for another actor to play Iron Man.

This unexpected turn of events in Robert Downey Jr.’s return has sparked fervent speculation, particularly regarding the possibility of a cinematic showdown between Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and a potential Tom Cruise portrayal of Iron Man.

The idea of Cruise assuming the Iron Man mantle has been a persistent fan theory for years, given the actor’s action-hero image. This notion gained traction when the casting of Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom was revealed, as it offered a tantalizing opportunity for a multiverse clash between the two Hollywood A-listers.

In 2022, Doctor Strange 2’s screenwriter Michael Waldron told Rolling Stone, “I love Tom Cruise, and I said to Kevin Feige at one point, I was like, Could we get Tom Cruise’s Iron Man? I remember reading about that in Ain’t It Cool News back in the day, that Tom Cruise was going to be Iron Man. Well, I mean, he was shooting Mission Impossible 7 and 8. I don’t believe so. I just don’t think it was ever an option, because of availability.”

Social media has been abuzz with fan-generated concepts and artwork envisioning this epic confrontation.

One fan wrote, “Now that I know Marvel Studios is listening give me that Tom Cruise Iron Man to fight Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom #AvengersDoomsday #DeadpoolAndWolverine.”

Reacting to the post, one fan wrote, “They got Channing Tatum and John Krasinski. Wouldn’t be surprised if they did another popular fancast”.

Another fan commented, “Probably, it will not end well for Tom Cruise’s Iron Man because doom needs to remove many supes for the setup of his character”.

While Marvel Studios has yet to officially comment on the possibility of a Tom Cruise Iron Man, the idea has undeniably captured the imagination of fans worldwide. With the multiverse now a central element of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the door remains open for unexpected cameos and alternative realities.

In the book “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios” by Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Gavin Edwards, the long-standing question of why Tom Cruise was not involved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is finally addressed. This comprehensive account explores the intricate workings of the MCU over the past twenty years, including the rationale behind choosing Robert Downey Jr. for the role of Iron Man instead of Cruise:

“Ten years earlier, when the Iron Man rights were at 20th Century Fox, Tom Cruise, then thirty-four, had flirted with the idea of playing Stark… According to Feige, however, Cruise’s asking fee at the time was more than even a profitable studio like Fox was willing to risk on an untested superhero property.”

Financial constraints played a pivotal role in the casting process. Before Disney’s acquisition of Marvel, the studio lacked the financial resources to secure a top-tier star like Tom Cruise. In contrast, Robert Downey Jr., while possessing significant star power, was perceived as a riskier investment due to his personal struggles at the time.

Funny enough, Marvel and Downey are now at the receiving end of backlash due to the large sum that the actor will be paid to return (significantly more than $80 million).

Ultimately, the decision to cast Downey Jr. proved to be a masterstroke. His charismatic portrayal of Tony Stark became synonymous with the character, propelling the Marvel Cinematic Universe to unprecedented success.

That being said, it is clear that the MCU has an affinity towards Cruise, and with so many timelines to play with, there is always a chance that Iron Man could return, even if he is not the Iron Man that man of us have become used to.

Avengers: Doomsday will be released on May 1, 2026.

Would you like to see Tom Cruise enter the MCU as Iron Man?