Robert Downey Jr. kicked off the MCU as Tony Stark and became one of the most important faces of the franchise. And that’s only because the first choice for Iron Man turned down the role
It’s hard to imagine an MCU without Robert Downey Jr. So hard, in fact, that he is now returning to the franchise after his death as Tony Stark aka Iron Man. The actor’s decision is hardly surprising; after all, the MCU not only saved his career, but also put him at the top of the list of most popular actors. Downey Jr. is probably not only grateful to Marvel boss Kevin Feige for this opportunity, but also to his colleague who turned down the role of Iron Man.
Kevin Feige envisioned a star other than Robert Downey Jr. for the perfect Tony Stark
Robert Downey Jr. is now so associated with Iron Man in the minds of the public that it’s hard to imagine any other actor in the role. Even though there have always been rumors that Tom Cruise would be the next Iron Man, they never came to fruition. Still, we almost saw another face on the big screen to usher in the era of Marvel superheroes.
According to FandomWire, Kevin Feige spoke about who was originally up for the role of Iron Man during a visit to the University of South California last year. He also explained what the studio was looking for:
We had to find the perfect blend of heart, strength and charisma.
Watch the trailer for the first Iron Man here:
Iron Man was the first movie that Marvel Studios made on its own. The success of the film was crucial for the entire studio and the burden of the lead role was correspondingly heavy. After many discussions with the team and director Jon Favreau, it was clear to Feige in the end who should take on the role:
