Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Robert Downey Jr.: The 'Iron Man' Casting War - Meet the Actors Who Came Close

RDJ wasn't a top choice of anybody at Marvel Studios to play Iron Man.

Back in 2008, Robert Downey Jr. was at rock bottom. His career was in free fall due to his legal troubles, and Hollywood had all but shut its doors on him. Marvel Studios, too, was reluctant to cast him as Iron Man, fearing he would sink their vision of a superhero universe before it even took off. But for RDJ, this role was the only way to get his career back on track. Against all odds, things finally fell into place, and he became Tony Stark. The result was a career reborn and a cinematic universe that only grew stronger with time. Now, cut to today. The tables have turned in the most ironic way possible. Marvel Studios, once invincible, is struggling with back-to-back underwhelming box office performances (a downfall since ‘Avengers: Endgame’). And who do they call to reignite the magic? Robert Downey Jr. Once, he saved the world as Iron Man. Now, as Dr. Doom in 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Avengers: Secret Wars', he is all set to save the Marvel Cinematic Universe itself. That’s a full circle. A man who once needed saving is now the savior. Either way, he is a hero. And needless to say, few stories in Hollywood—and life in general—are as legendary as this.

It’s hard to imagine anyone but Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. But several big-name actors auditioned for the role; some even came very close to landing it. As the actor turns 60 today, let’s take a look at the Hollywood stars who almost became the superhero before he came on board.

Tom Cruise

In the early 2000s, Tom Cruise was a leading figure in Hollywood, celebrated for roles in films like 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Jerry Maguire'. His charisma and action-hero credentials made him a prime candidate for Tony Stark. He was approached for the role, and he showed initial interest. However, he eventually declined, stating later in an interview, "It's not happening. Not with me... it just didn't feel to me like it was going to work." Reflecting on his decision later, he expressed admiration for Downey's portrayal, noting he couldn't imagine anyone else in the role.

Notably, after Iron Man’s death in 'Avengers: Endgame', rumors spread that Marvel might bring the character back with Tom Cruise in the role.

(Credit: MyTimeToShineHello)

Nicolas Cage

A passionate comic book enthusiast, Nicolas Cage had a strong desire to embody a superhero on screen. In the late 1990s, during a period when an 'Iron Man' film was in development, Cage expressed interest in portraying Tony Stark. However, the project didn't materialize at that time. Instead, Cage fulfilled his superhero aspirations by starring as Johnny Blaze in 'Ghost Rider' (2007).

Sam Rockwell

By the mid-2000s, Sam Rockwell had established himself as a versatile actor with roles in 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' and 'Matchstick Men'. Director Jon Favreau considered him for Iron Man, appreciating his unique blend of charm and depth. Rockwell was approached before the script was finalized but didn't proceed further in the casting process. However, he later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Justin Hammer in 'Iron Man 2' (2010).

(Credit: DiscussingFilm)

Timothy Olyphant

Timothy Olyphant was among the actors who auditioned for Tony Stark and got the closest. He reportedly auditioned on the same day as Robert Downey Jr. While Olyphant's audition showcased his capabilities, Downey's interpretation resonated more with the filmmakers, leading to his casting.

(Credit: Marvel Tesseract)

Clive Owen

British actor Clive Owen, recognized for roles in 'Closer' and 'Sin City', was another contender for the role. Marvel Studios extended an offer to him, but Owen declined, expressing disinterest in the role.

Owen was Marvel boss Kevin Feige's top choice. Later, during his speech at the University of Southern California, Feige said, "The success of the film and the future of our entire studio rested on the shoulders of this one person. It was not an easy task, but together with my team and our casting directors and our director, Jon Favreau, we culled down our list, we pinpointed the right guy, and we extended an offer to our top choice – an actor who checked all of those boxes and who we were confident would be a huge hit. And his name, of course, was Clive Owen. He passed. He was not interested.”

(Credit: Marvel Facts)

Hugh Jackman

Famed for his portrayal of Wolverine in the 'X-Men' series, Hugh Jackman was also considered for Tony Stark. While the idea of Jackman embodying two major Marvel characters was intriguing, it didn't come to fruition, as he was already committed to the 'X-Men' films.

(Credit: Marvel Facts)

Interestingly, the actor later shared in one of his interviews, "... I would love to see, particularly, Iron Man and the Hulk and Wolverine together. And every time I saw an ‘Avengers’ movie I could just see Wolverine in the middle of all of them like punching them all on the head."

Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe, known for his work in 'The West Wing', was rumored to be under consideration for Tony Stark. However, this speculation didn't progress into formal discussions or auditions.

Robert Downey Jr. ultimately being cast as Iron Man is a great lesson in itself. As Feige explained in that speech, “... not getting your first choice might just be the greatest thing that can happen to you. Because you know what’s better than getting your first choice? Getting the right choice. And in our case, of course, that choice was Robert Downey Jr.