Is Tom Cruise the New Iron Man? Fans Analyze the ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Trailer

The newest trailer for the upcoming Marvel Studios movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was released on Super Bowl Sunday, and while the audience impressions from the trailer have been positive so far, Marvel fans have also been set abuzz by seeing a character who they think is Tom Cruise playing an Iron Man variant in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The variant that he’s suspected of playing is Superior Iron Man!

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange Credit: Marvel Entertainment

The potential involvement of Tom Cruise began when some pictures — whose authenticity has yet to be determined — were leaked of someone who looked like Tom Cruise sporting a goatee (Iron Man’s signature look) and wearing a motion capture suit. You can see one of the images in the Tweet below!

(Rumor) Possibly the first image of Tom Cruise on set #DoctorStrange2 in (Motion Capture) for his Iron Man pic.twitter.com/nlvjj7sBAm

— Moth Culture (@Moth_Culture) January 18, 2022

Credit: @Moth_Culture

As with any Marvel trailer, the glimpses of new characters or big plot reveals in this Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer were just that: glimpses. Marvel fans have to pause trailers or slow them down to watch for tiny clues in scenes, and this supposed look at Superior Iron Man was no exception.

Tom Cruise Credit: Wikipedia

He is seen briefly in flight, attacking America Chavez (a character who is being played by Xochitl Gomez). There are also some robots in the trailer who bear a resemblance to Ultron, a villain who was originally created by Iron Man.

Wasn’t so sure but man I really do see a Tony Stark beard here now? Tom Cruise Superior IRON MAN!? #DoctorStrange2 pic.twitter.com/RGjw0Rzszm

— Cris Parker (@3CFilmss) February 14, 2022

Since the Multiverse is now an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the events in Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home (and since even more intergalactic shifts are most likely coming after the set up from Eternals), variants are very likely to be involved in the new Doctor Strange movie that has become known as “Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first out-and-out horror outing”.

I reckon this is Tom Cruise as a ‘Superior Iron Man’ variant and member of Professor X’s Illuminati that Doctor Strange is being taken to for trial. Notice those are iron man/ultron-esque robots ?#DoctorStrange #MultiverseOfMadness #DoctorStrange2 pic.twitter.com/ySa1RHnnYN

— Dainéil Ó Corra (@ua_Corra) February 14, 2022

Credit: Marvel

The film will involve alternative universes or alternate dimensions, with Wanda Maximoff from WandaVision (also known as the Scarlet Witch, and played by Elizabeth Olsen) taking a lead role in the film alongside Benedict Cumberbatch. Benedict Wong is back as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor is back as the ally-turned-enemy of Doctor Stephen Strange named Baron Mordo, and Rachel McAdams is also returning as love interest Christine Palmer. It is directed by Sam Raimi, and produced by Marvel veteran Kevin Feige.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. Credit: Marvel

Looking at Marvel trailers and teaser images and poring over them for Easter eggs is a standard practice for Marvel fans, but this particular Easter egg has a lot of potential.

TOM CRUISE AS SUPERIOR IRON MAN IS COMING OMGGGGG pic.twitter.com/b1Twy8ppxn

— Chris ?? (@TheVirgilEffect) February 13, 2022

Thats definitely Superior Iron Man pic.twitter.com/hDdUEatdmR

— LokiWanKenobi is waiting for Moon Knight (@LowKeyWanKenobi) February 14, 2022

Tom Cruise would be a surprising addition the the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his variant of Iron Man (even if it is a ‘Superior Iron Man’) would provide a stark (pun intended) contrast to the personality and style of Tony Stark and Iron Man when Robert Downey Jr. played the character in the Avengers movies!