The release of Avengers: Infinity War is as great an occasion as any to dig back through Marvel Cinematic Universe history. For example, what about that story where Tom Cruise was once in the running to play the titular role in Iron Man? It was never clear just how close we came to getting Cruise in the iconic armor, but the actor clarified in a new CinemaCon interview with ComicBookthat he wasn't as much of a possibility as legend would have it.
"Not close," he explained. "Not close, and I love Robert Downey Jr. I can’t imagine anyone else in that role, and I think it’s perfect for him." Truthfully, Downey Jr.'s dry humor and sarcastic quips are an important part of his take on Tony Stark, so Cruise's would have likely fallen flat in that department.
Cruise, known for his penchant for high-action, stunt-heavy roles like his turn in the Mission: Impossible franchise, said he'd be open to a role in a comic book–based flick if it came along but not without a few considerations. "I don’t rule anything out," he said.
"It’s, 'What’s the story? Does it interest me?" he told ComicBook. "Do I feel this is where the audience would like to see me in? What can I learn?' And 'What can I contribute?' That’s how I choose my movies."
