Tom Cruise Emerges as Fan Favorite to Succeed Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man

As speculation mounts over who will take on the iconic role of Iron Man following Robert Downey Jr.'s celebrated portrayal, fans are rallying behind Tom Cruise as a leading candidate. Cruise was initially considered for the role in 2003, but Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige cited his high asking price as a barrier to casting him. A recent post on social media platform X has reignited interest, suggesting a potential showdown between Cruise's Iron Man and Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. In the betting odds, Cruise is currently favored at 7/4, with other notable contenders including Brendan Fraser at 7/1 and Rob Lowe at 8/1. The speculation comes as Cruise's schedule may open up, particularly with the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise uncertain, as producer Jerry Bruckheimer hints at a possible reboot with a new cast. Clive Owen, who was also in the running during the original casting process, remains a strong contender, having been mentioned as a frontrunner. During a recent speech at a University of Southern California graduation, Owen reflected on the extensive search for the role of Iron Man, highlighting the competitive nature of the casting process. Other actors in the mix include Bradley Cooper, who has already made his mark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Matthew McConaughey and Jon Hamm, with odds of 3/1 and 4/1 respectively. Timothy Olyphant rounds out the list with a 12/1 chance, as fans eagerly await the next chapter in the Iron Man legacy.