Is that Tom Cruise playing Iron Man in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Leaked set image shocks fans

It could likely to be one of the biggest cameos in the history of Marvel Cinematic Universe and a pretty on-the-nose inside joke. Rumour has it that Tom Cruise is taking up the Iron Man mantle in the upcoming Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In a hazy, leaked image purportedly from the film’s sets that has surfaced on social media, a man resembling Tom Cruise can be seen dressed in the motion capture suit. The image was posted by a Twitter account specialising in pop culture leaks and news, with the caption: “(Rumor) Possibly the first image of Tom Cruise on set #DoctorStrange2 in (Motion Capture) for his Iron Man”.

While their is no confirmation as to whether the image is indeed from the sets of the Doctor Strange or whether the man in question is indeed Tom Cruise, it has set the rumour mills abuzz. There were already reports that since the Multiverse of Madness deals with the concept of multiverse and variants (different versions of characters), fans could be treated to different actors playing their beloved characters.

This has already happened in the MCU when Spider-Man: No Way Home saw Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return as their versions of Spider-Man. However, Tom Cruise has never played Iron Man, even though he came very close to landing the role twice.

Iron Man aka Tony Stark was famously played by Robert Downey Jr in the MCU, right from the franchise’s first film– Iron Man– in 2008 to the character’s death in Avengers Endgame (2019). Many have pointed out RDJ’s influence on the MCU and how the success of his films and fans’ appreciation of him was pivotal in shaping up the franchise.

However, not many know that Tom Cruise was one of the names interested in taking up the role even before RDJ was cast. In 1998, in an interview with The Gazette, Tom had said he was interested in “producing as well as starring in an Iron Man film”.

Tom was among the actors considered for the role when Marvel Studios were looking to cast Tony Stark almost a decade later. In the end, Robert Downey Jr came into the picture after director Jon Favreau vouched for him.

Also read: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness merchandise teases new villains coming to MCU

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows on from the incidents of Spider-Man: No Way Home with Doctor Strange trying to contain the fallout of his botched spell that fractured the multiverse. The film’s teaser has hinted that we will get to see a Doctor Strange variant for sure and reports claim other actors have been roped in for cameos too.

Directed by Sam Raimi, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, and Xochitl Gomez. The film releases on May 4.