With Downey Cast as Doctor Doom, It’s the Perfect Time for Tom Cruise to Join the MCU — Here’s How It Could Happen

Robert Downey Jr. took on the role of Iron Man in the 2008 Marvel Studios film, which not only became a critical and commercial hit but also marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — a pivotal moment in modern cinematic history.

While Downey is widely celebrated for his portrayal of Tony Stark, there are still fans who have long imagined Tom Cruise in the role, inspired by various “90s fan castings” that envisioned Cruise as Iron Man. Recently, we highlighted how fans continue to push for Cruise’s inclusion in the MCU, and given the current developments, there is a real possibility that it could happen.

With Downey now cast as Doctor Doom and the MCU diving into its most ambitious multiverse storyline yet, the door is open for an alternate version of Iron Man to appear. We believe the “Secret Wars” storyline would be an ideal opportunity to bring Cruise into the MCU, even if only for a cameo.

So, how could this actually happen? As many fans know, there has been a long-standing desire to see Tom Cruise take on the role of Iron Man, and rumors have circulated that Marvel has either attempted or is still attempting to arrange a cameo appearance for the iconic actor in an MCU film. While this idea seemed unlikely when Downey was still portraying Tony Stark, the current landscape makes it more feasible.

Several factors contribute to this possibility. First is Iron Man’s death in Avengers: Endgame, which confirmed Tony Stark’s demise in the main MCU canon and closed the door on Downey returning to the role. Second, Downey has been recast in the MCU to play Victor von Doom in upcoming films, signaling his transition away from Iron Man to a new character.

The third factor is the multiverse theme currently driving the MCU’s narratives. This concept has already opened up countless possibilities, as seen in No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine. Given this, an alternate version of Iron Man played by Tom Cruise is entirely plausible—and something fans would be excited to see.

However, there are a few potential challenges. For one, involving Tom Cruise would likely come with a hefty price tag; he’s an A-list actor with a busy schedule who is very particular about his projects. Cruise might also demand more creative control than Marvel is willing to give for a brief cameo. Another question is whether Cruise would even be interested in a short appearance—would he accept a brief cameo similar to those in Deadpool & Wolverine? This remains unclear.

There’s also the option of bringing Cruise into the MCU on a more permanent basis, but that raises even more questions and is a topic worthy of its own discussion. Until then, we’d love to hear your thoughts—would you like to see Tom Cruise in the MCU? Share your opinions in the comments below!

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