As a fan of cinema and the many twists and turns it takes, I must say that Tom Cruise‘s near misses with some iconic roles have always been intriguing. His life experiences, coupled with his undeniable charisma, surely would have added a unique flavor to these characters.
Actor Tom Cruise, more commonly referred to as Tom Cruise, has taken on numerous roles throughout his career, ranging from a conspirator against Hitler to a bloodsucker. It might come as a shock that he hasn’t yet dashed across the set of a superhero film. During an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in 2016, he seemed to be leaning towards the idea that superhero movies aren’t true cinema. When asked about it, his response was, “I truly enjoy those films. However, I create the ‘Missions’ and the ‘Reachers.’ Just different genres of films.
To be fair, I’ve never been anti-superhero, as some might think. There have been opportunities for me to embody certain comic book characters, but unfortunately, deals just didn’t materialize. On several occasions, I was slated for specific roles, yet things never quite came together. Given my busy schedule and the cost associated with hiring me, anyone who signs me on should feel fortunate indeed. Moreover, I rarely take on a role unless I have some level of control over the movie’s production.
Here are 5 superhero roles Tom Cruise almost played.
5 Captain Planet
‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers’ (1990)
In the 80s, Captain Planet was a prominent superhero character that some younger fans may not be familiar with. Hailing from the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers,” this hero can be thought of as an eco-friendly version of Superman. Interestingly, his vulnerabilities were environmental hazards like pollution and smog.
In the course of sharing some backstage secrets, the senior staff writer, Phil Harnage, revealed that Tom Cruise tried out but didn’t get selected. He reminisced: “We were confronted with the unfortunate truth that he lacked a superhero-like voice.
It Could Have Been a Rare Voice Role for the Actor
Tom Cruise is known for his boldness and willingness to take on new challenges, but surprisingly, he has never lent his voice to an animated project. The part of Captain Planet might have paved the way for him in this realm, but unfortunately, he was denied the opportunity. It’s plausible that this experience may have deterred him from pursuing voice acting roles in the future.
Why did he decide to join this particular project? In the ’80s, Tom Cruise wasn’t yet the most famous face globally. Many others were ahead of him, so he had to seize every opportunity. The appeal of this show lay in its noble cause – it aimed to inspire children to recycle and care for our planet. Excitingly, a live-action Captain Planet movie is under development, with Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick co-star Glen Powell set to star.
4 Rorschach
‘Watchmen’ (2009)
According to Zack Snyder, Tom Cruise showed great interest in portraying the character Walter Joseph Kovacs, also known as Rorschach, from the comic series Watchmen. Originally created by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons for Watchmen #1 (1966), Rorschach stands out as the lone masked avenger who continues to act independently, unlike other former superheroes who now work undercover for the U.S. government. He adheres strongly to moral absolutism, viewing good and evil as clear-cut concepts without any gray areas, making him consistently ready to mete out justice to wrongdoers.
Snyder Had a Different Role in Mind for Cruise
Snyder conveyed that there was a disagreement over roles, as he desired Cruise for Ozymandia, but the actor insisted on Rorschach and Rorschach alone. However, Snyder had previously cast Jackie Earle Haley in the role, which made him stick to his commitments rather than altering things to suit the star of “Top Gun: Maverick”.
Cruise’s desire to play Rorschach is understandable, considering that the character stands out from the ensemble, so much so that he is often considered the story’s hero. As someone used to portraying leading men, the Mission Impossible star didn’t want to settle for less. And we can blame both Snyder and Cruise for not finding a way around this quagmire. After all, Bruce Willis and Quentin Tarantino faced a similar problem during Pulp Fiction’s production phase.
3 Holden Carver, aka, The Conductor
‘Sleeper’
Following Tom Cruise’s unsuccessful bid for Iron Man, it was disclosed by The Hollywood Reporter that he was negotiating a role in the comics series “Sleeper,” where he would portray Holden Carver, also known as The Conductor. This series is penned by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Sean Phillips, under DC Comics’ Wildstorm imprint.
In the comics, Carver is an agent of International Operations who lacks the ability to feel pain. This unique trait came about after he encountered a mysterious artifact during a mission in South America. Sadly, the project to bring this story to life got stalled in development limbo. It was also rumored that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck had expressed interest in adapting the comic for cinema, but no progress was made on that front.
Carver Is Similar to Ethan Hunt.
Compared to other potential superhero roles linked with him, “Sleeper” would have been a more fitting choice for Tom Cruise because it avoids typical genre cliches and predominantly stays within the realm of crime and neo-noir. Essentially, Carver is like Ethan Hunt with powers, and he fights similarly to Jack Reacher. Given these similarities, the role seemed tailor-made for Tom Cruise.
It’s even more exciting that Sam Raimi has been chosen as the producer for this film. With his experience creating the Darkman series, it’s clear he can manage a complex superhero narrative effectively. Plus, his success with the Spider-Man movies makes him an ideal choice to be in charge.
2 Spider-Man
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse’ (2018)
Tom Cruise came close to portraying Spider-Man not just once, but twice. The initial opportunity presented itself in the ’80s when he was a burgeoning star with a youthful appearance that perfectly embodied Peter Parker. At this time, Cannon Films, who later dissolved, held the rights to the character. Tobe Hooper, director of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, was initially selected to direct, but he was subsequently replaced by Joseph Zito, known for Missing in Action. However, the project never materialized. Regrettably, financial difficulties within the company forced them to abandon the film.
Additionally, Slash Film reveals that in the original version of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, there was a cut scene where Tom Cruise portrayed an actor named Todd Crews. In this alternate universe, Crews was a renowned actor who starred as… Spider-Man. Interestingly, his films were helmed by the legendary James Cameron.
Cannon Might Have Made a Terrible Spider-Man Movie
Fans of Spider-Man can breathe a sigh of relief that the Cannon movie didn’t materialize since the studio wasn’t renowned for producing critically praised films. Compared to the rest, Superman IV was the weakest in the series. The studio was also criticized for its lack of elegance due to its penchant for creating low-budget, violent horror movies and softcore productions. It’s hard to envision what the visuals would have been like if the movie had been made with their budget constraints.
In the original concept, Miles Morales could have benefited more from learning the ropes of being Spider-Man by observing movies created by the character played by Tom Cruise, which would have seamlessly integrated with the storyline.
1 Iron Man
Untitled Movie
2022 will stand out in the minds of MCU enthusiasts as the year when there was relentless speculation about a Tom Cruise appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, what fans got instead was John Krasinski’s Mister Fantastic being torn apart, much like a corporation’s records during an FBI raid. It’s important to note that Marvel Studios executives can’t be held accountable for this twist, as the rumors originated from fan circles themselves.
It’s not just gossip that circulates about Tom Cruise and Iron Man. Interestingly, before Marvel Studios owned the rights to the character, Cruise was actually slated to portray the original Earth-616 Iron Man. According to the book “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios”, Cruise’s fee at that time was so high that even a profitable studio like Fox found it too risky to invest in an unproven superhero franchise.
The Right Person Got the Job… At the Right Time
It’s hard to find someone who would contest that Robert Downey Jr. was the ideal choice for the role. He truly embodied all of the superhero’s finest qualities, from his charm to his confident demeanor. If Tom Cruise had been cast instead, it could have significantly altered the superhero genre. In case the movie had thrived, Fox might have retained control over the character similar to how they handled X-Men. This could have prevented the MCU from developing its current strong foundation.
It’s worth noting that Cruise wasn’t the only contender for the role. Jim Caviezel and Timothy Olyphant were seriously considered, with Olyphant being a favorite among many. Director Jon Favreau even initially favored Sam Rockwell, but his preference shifted dramatically when Downey Jr. entered the audition room.
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2024-11-24 02:32