Tom Cruise almost took the role as the original Ironman before RDJ took the helm, so this would be almost like Tom closing a chapter in a what almost was situation. It reminds me of when Christian Bale was asked who his inspiration was for his character Patrick Bateman in the movie “American Psycho”.
"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." Cruise's rejection gave Robert Downey Jr.
Several other actors, including Tom Cruise, Nicholas Cage, and Hugh Jackman, were considered for the role of Iron Man.
Other potential candidates for Iron Man included Timothy Olyphant, Matthew McConaughey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sam Rockwell, Johnny Depp, Jon Hamm, and Rob Lowe.
His decision to pass on the role was influenced by creative concerns and, according to Kevin Feige, financial considerations, as Cruise's asking fee exceeded what the studio was willing to risk on an untested superhero property.
Summary. Rhodey, aka War Machine, is confirmed as the ideal replacement for Iron Man in the upcoming Armor Wars, as his characterization now mirrors Stark's. Rhodey's reveal as a Skrull impostor adds a layer of trauma and parallel to Tony Stark's origin story, making him a compelling successor to Iron Man.
Tom Cruise was considered for the role of Iron Man but was not chosen because his asking fee at the time was too high for the studio to risk on an untested superhero property.
Who was the first choice for the role of Iron Man?
Kevin Feige continued and shared that they felt that Clive Owen would be the perfect choice for the role of Tony Stark/ Iron Man. However, Owen was not interested in playing the role of The Armored Avenger, and that led Feige and his team to cast Robert Downey Jr. in 2006.
Kevin Feige reveals that before Robert Downey Jr. became the face of Marvel Studios as Tony Stark in Iron Man, the role was offered to Clive Owen. Before Robert Downey Jr. became Tony Stark in 2008's Iron Man, the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the part was turned down by Clive Owen.
"That seems like a more interesting arc to us to take a character who had an ego because to die for others, you have to defeat the rights of that," said Russo. "It seemed like the more compelling arc to us that it would be Stark who died. So that it would be a richer more complex arc, and that's why we chose him."
Terrence Howard was initially intended to continue playing James Rhodes/War Machine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but was replaced by Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2. Howard's departure from the role was partly due to a significant decrease in pay, which created tension between him and Robert Downey Jr.
RDJ later headlined Iron Man 3 (2013) in phase 2, but a fourth movie never surfaced despite Tony remaining a central figure in the franchise for another six years until his death in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Casting Captain America was a challenge for Marvel as the character didn't have much recognition and seemed outdated. Jensen Ackles, Ryan Phillippe, Garrett Hedlund, Chace Crawford, and John Krasinski all auditioned for the role. Chris Evans eventually accepted the role after Robert Downey Jr.
Downey gained global recognition for starring as Iron Man in ten films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Iron Man (2008), and leading up to Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Tom Cruise Iron Man Marvel Robert Downey Jr. Tom Cruise was once considered for the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man; however, Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige says the actor's asking fee was too high.
In the end, it didn't happen, as we could see. “I love Tom Cruise, and I said to Kevin Feige at one point, I was like, 'Could we get Tom Cruise's Iron Man?” he added. “I just don't think it was ever an option, because of availability.” Feige reportedly replied.
Daniel Craig turned down the role of Thor to concentrate on playing James Bond. According to Screen Rant, Craig confirmed in 2008 that Marvel had approached him to take on the God of Thunder's mantle for the 2011 film, but he decided that playing 007 was more than enough for one man and turned them down.
Johnny Depp and Steve Buscemi were reportedly under consideration for the lead. David Duchovny and Jeff Goldblum auditioned for the role. Edward Norton, who went on to play Bruce in The Incredible Hulk, expressed interest in the role but turned it down as he was disappointed with the script.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe could have looked slightly different, Alan Ritchson revealed this week. The Reacher star said he came close to playing Thor, god of thunder, before Marvel eventually handed the role to Chris Hemsworth.
However, Tom Cruise decided to decline the offer, leaving Marvel and fans stunned. Cruise cited various reasons for his decision, including his commitment to other projects, concerns about the long-term commitment required for a franchise, and a desire to maintain creative control over his work.
Was Jim Carrey in a Marvel movie? No, Jim Carrey was not in a Marvel movie. He was rumored to play MODOK in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but that never came to fruition.
