If I commit to something, it has to be done in a way that I know it's gonna be something special. And as it was lining up, it just didn't feel to me like it was gonna work. I need to be able to make decisions and make the film as great as it can be, it just didn't go down that road that way.”
And, contrary to popular belief neither the Oppenheimer actor nor Tom Cruise were the first choice actors for the role of Tony Stark in the MCU.
When Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was officially released and Tom Cruise did not appear as an alternate universe version of Iron Man, fans were disappointed that rumors of the actor's entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe turned out to be untrue.
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.
However, Marvel boss Kevin Feige recently revealed that Downey wasn't the studio's initial choice for the role. In a surprising revelation, Feige disclosed that an English actor, Clive Owen, was almost cast as Iron Man, potentially altering the entire trajectory of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Hawkeye. On numerous occasions in the comics, Clint Barton has said he's just a regular guy with a bow and arrow. Unfortunately, his lack of power usually leads to him suffering injuries regularly and has led to fans deeming him the weakest member of the Avengers.
Sam Rockwell - Iron Man
Sam Rockwell was on a very short list of potential actors for Tony Stark in Iron Man 1. Rockwell managed to make such a good impression on Marvel that they made him an important part of Iron Man 2, Justin Hammer.
The actor, 60, revealed in a new interview with podcast Phase Zero that while rumors have been circulating over the years about him potentially playing the iconic Marvel hero, he wasn't anywhere close to actually snagging the role. "Not close," he confirmed.
At the end of the war, Tony Stark falls into a coma while fighting Captain Marvel, spurring Riri into continuing his legacy as a hero. With the help of an AI duplicate of Stark, Riri designs an improved suit of armor and takes on the name of Ironheart.
Robert Downey Jr. made it official on the Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show today. Yes, Iron Man 4 is happening! The actor says that negotiations are still ongoing for his return in what will be his 7th featured role in a Marvel movie, and his 9th appearance as Tony Stark altogether.
Prior to the release of 2008's Iron Man, Cruise was offered the opportunity to play Tony Stark but turned it down.
"Iron Man 4": Tom Cruise stuns as Tony Stark in jaw-dropping trailer.
Though Cruise didn't end up joining the highly-successful Iron Man series, he hasn't ruled out the chance of ending up in a superhero film before his storied acting career ends. "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?" he said.
Jon Favreau, best known at that time as the director of “Elf,” was brought in to direct an “Iron Man” movie. According to Maisel, he was the key figure in getting Marvel's board to sign off on casting Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role.
Superior Iron Man is a major antagonist from Marvel Comics. He is a villainous version of the heroic character who would debut following the events of Axis to become the titular villainous protagonist of the comic book miniseries of the same name.
He was called in for an audition for the film when they saw a “spark in him” for the Iron Man role. “Once it was him, that's when my life got a lot easier because he understood the voice of the character. And then one by one, people were just signing on board because now it became something interesting.”
Loki – Thor's archenemy and adoptive brother. The son of Laufey, ruler of the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, one of the "Nine Worlds" of the Asgardian cosmology. He is a master of spellcasting and trickery.
Given his mastery of the magical arts, it would make Doctor Fate a tough opponent for Iron Man, whose technology-based weaponry would be ineffective against his magical defenses. Moreover, with his vast mystical powers and abilities, Doctor Fate could quickly neutralize Tony Stark and take him down in battle.
In both Marvel Comics and the MCU, Iron Man is no pushover, but one story showed that even with his full arsenal, he can be taken down singlehandedly by the Guardians of the Galaxy's Gamora.
Tony Stark's best friend, James Rhodes, is one of the few to wear the Iron Man armor, other than Tony Stark himself. Although he initially took on the role when Stark was dealing with his demons, Rhodes has reprised the role over the years.
Tom Hiddleston was one of the many young men who auditioned to play Thor, but Marvel felt he was a better fit for Loki. Those who also tested included Charlie Hunnam, Alexander Skarsgard, Joel Kinnaman, Kevin McKidd, and even WWE star Triple-H.
Lee screen-tested multiple character actors for Hulk after Crudup and Cruise passed, including Steve Buscemi, David Duchovny and Jeff Goldblum. Of the three, Buscemi has yet to appear in a superhero movie of any kind, whereas Goldblum played the comical antagonist known as The Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok.
2) Captain Marvel
She holds her own with Thanos in hand-to-hand combat for longer than Thor, Iron Man, or Steve Rogers, and takes down his enormous warship single-handedly.
Thor. Thor, the god of Thunder, was undoubtedly the most powerful member of the original Avengers. His power continues to grow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.