Tom Cruise says he wasn’t close to being Iron Man over Downey Jr

In a recent interview with Phase Zero podcast, Tom Cruise revealed that he was never really in the running to play the iconic role of Iron Man. Fans have often speculated about what it would have been like to see the Mission: Impossible star take on the role of Tony Stark, especially after screenwriter Michael Waldron shared that Cruise had been pitched to play a variant of the character in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

However, Cruise put these rumors to rest, stating that he was “not close” to being cast as Iron Man. He also expressed his admiration for Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of the character, saying that he couldn’t imagine anyone else doing the role justice. “I think it’s perfect for [Robert],” he said.

This news will come as a disappointment to some fans who had been hoping to see Cruise suit up as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, others will likely agree with Cruise’s assessment that Downey Jr.’s performance was truly iconic and could not be replicated by anyone else.

It’s not entirely clear why Cruise was never seriously considered for the role, but it’s possible that his busy schedule with other projects may have played a role. Additionally, it’s possible that the studio simply felt that Downey Jr. was the better choice for the part.

Regardless of the reason, it’s clear that the role of Iron Man is one that will forever be associated with Robert Downey Jr. and his unforgettable performance. While it’s always fun to speculate about what could have been, it’s hard to imagine anyone else stepping into those red and gold armor suits and bringing the character to life in quite the same way.

As for Tom Cruise, he remains one of Hollywood’s most popular and bankable stars, with a long list of successful films to his name. Whether or not he ever appears in a Marvel movie, fans will no doubt continue to enjoy his work and eagerly await his next project.