Marvel Studios originally had Tom Cruise in mind for the iconic role of Iron Man before casting decisions were finalized. Known for his charisma, action-oriented performances, and box office draw, Cruise was a top consideration during the early development stages of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But for some reason, it did not happen. Marvel missed the chance to bring him on board.
But, it seems like, this is not the biggest miss by Marvel. As per the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, one famed director wanted to make a series that later became one of the best shows by Marvel.
Director Guillermo del Toro Wanted to Make the Hulk Series
Guillermo del Toro, the visionary filmmaker celebrated for his distinctive blend of fantasy, horror, and visually stunning storytelling, expressed a keen desire to helm a Hulk series.
As per the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, authors Dave Gonzales, Joanna Robinson, and Gavin Edwards said that the director was very much interested in making a Hulk TV series in the early 2010s.
Unfortunately, despite his passionate interest and creative vision, the Hulk series directed by del Toro didn’t materialize as he was already committed to directing a number of other projects at the time, including Pacific Rim.
Despite the fact that Del Toro’s Hulk TV series never came to fruition, it is still interesting to think about what could have been.
Why Tom Cruise Didn’t Play Iron Man In The MCU?
In the 2000s, Tom Cruise was one of the biggest stars in the world, and casting him as Iron Man would have been a major coup for Marvel Studios. It is likely that Cruise would have brought a different energy, though now it’s hard to imagine Tony Stark being played by someone who wasn’t Robert Downey Jr.
The book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios reveals why it later went to Robert Downey Jr. instead of the Mission Impossible star. The book says:
“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.”
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige reportedly told the authors of the book that “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.”
In a new interview with the podcast Phase Zero, Tom Cruise addressed this and said:
“Not close. Not close. I love Robert Downey Jr. I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role and I think it’s perfect for him.”
He continued:
“I look at a movie and think, you know, I don’t rule anything out, it’s what’s the story? What’s the character? Does it interest me? Do I feel this is what an audience would like to see me in? What can I learn? What can I contribute? That’s really how I look at things.”
While Cruise’s potential portrayal of Iron Man remains an intriguing ‘what-if’ scenario, Downey’s charismatic and nuanced performance ultimately became an integral part of the franchise’s monumental success, shaping the character in a way that’s now nearly impossible to separate from his portrayal.
