With the Marvel Cinematic Universe heading towards a soft multiversal reset, it seems inevitable that the role of Iron Man will be recast in the franchise. Tony Stark was more than just the first hero introduced into the MCU, as he proved a pivotal figure in the franchise’s story. As well as serving as one of the MCU’s original Avengers, Iron Man’s leadership and heroism were a key part of the Infinity Saga, and have, in turn, shaped the events of the Multiverse Saga despite his absence. While Iron Man’s heroic death in Avengers: Endgame will not be reversed, it has been all but confirmed that the franchise will recast the role and reintroduce Iron Man via a Multiverse variant, allowing a new actor to step into the iconic role.
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Although Robert Downey Jr.’s performance defined the MCU’s Iron Man for many, a new actor will undoubtedly prove a welcome addition to the franchise when the character returns. Marvel has an opportunity to cast an actor who could bring something entirely new to the role, and potentially even come at Iron Man’s story from an entirely different angle. The following actors have all proved that they’re more than suited to the task, as each would make an excellent Iron Man if they were cast in the MCU.
5) Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom’s acting career has already proven monumentally successful. He has featured as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and starred in blockbusters such as Kingdom of Heaven, Troy, and The Three Musketeers. He has been a part of numerous box office hits, and has long since proven himself an incredibly versatile and talented actor capable of tackling pretty much every genre imaginable.
It’s this that makes Orlando Bloom seem like the perfect actor to recast Iron Man with in the MCU. He has proven experience in major franchises, particularly in those with major action set-pieces brought to life through CGI and visual effects technology. He’s also an actor with undeniable charm and screen presence, which would translate perfectly to the role of Tony Stark. He’s also a little less sarcastic and much more sincere than RDJ, which would help set his hypothetical new Iron Man apart from the MCU’s first iteration of the hero.
4) David Castañeda
David Castañeda is perhaps the least-known actor on this list, though most audiences will know him from The Umbrella Academy, in which he played Diego Hargreeves. In comparison to many other big-name actors, Castañeda might not seem an obvious choice to play Tony Stark in the MCU, but he’s subtly perfect for the role. Obviously, his previous experience in the superhero genre as part of The Umbrella Academy‘s cast helps qualify him for the role, but he actually fits the bill for several other reasons.
It’s not just his prior superhero experience, but the nature of the character he played. Castañeda has proved he can play a flawed leader with plenty of comedic potential, and he boasts a charismatic screen presence that would work perfectly as Tony Stark. He’s also well-known enough to secure the role, but not so famous that he would stand out, meaning he could truly make the role his own. In many ways, David Castañeda could secretly be the best choice for recasting Iron Man in the MCU.
3) Miles Teller
Miles Teller might not quite be a household name around the world, but he’s an incredibly talented A-list actor all the same. Teller’s many acclaimed movie roles have cemented him as a bankable box office star, but he has also featured in an impressive variety of projects spanning multiple genres. Marvel audiences might be wary of Teller due to his previous appearance as Reed Richards in live-action, but it’s hard to argue that he wouldn’t be a great fit for the MCU’s next Tony Stark.
Teller has proved that he has the charisma and the talent to play a complex, driven character like Tony Stark with sufficient depth. As an actor, Miles Teller is excellent at injecting heart and energy into his roles, and that could work perfectly if he were cast as the MCU’s next Iron Man. Teller is one of the few actors in Hollywood who seems genuinely capable of measuring up to Robert Downey Jr.’s performance in a like-for-like comparison, and while his take on the character would undoubtedly be different from the MCU’s first Iron Man, Miles Teller is one of the only actors who stands a chance of outshining RDJ.
2) Jonathan Bailey
While Jonathan Bailey’s name has recently been the subject of casting rumors about the DCU’s Batman, the Dark Knight isn’t the iconic movie hero he’d be best suited for. Bailey’s rise to superstardom has been truly meteoric, earning global recognition for his role in Bridgerton before appearing in Wicked and Jurassic World Rebirth. Bailey’s star continues to rise, and his affable personality off-screen has helped cement his status as Hollywood’s latest darling. That’s not what makes him perfect for the MCU’s Iron Man, though.
Just take a close look at Bailey’s performance in Wicked and its sequel for a clear indication of how well he could play Tony Stark. His ability to play a roguish, lovable troublemaker is clear, but he has also demonstrated considerable dramatic chops throughout his career so far. Considering he’s one of Hollywood’s current hottest prospects and possesses all the skills needed for the role, he’d be a perfect choice to play Iron Man in the next narrative phase of the MCU should the role be recast.
1) Matt Bomer
Deciding which actor is the best fit to play the perfect next Iron Man is ultimately incredibly subjective, but my personal top pick would be Matt Bomer. Best known for his roles in Magic Mike, The Nice Guys, American Horror Story, and Doom Patrol, Bomer has been quietly racking up an impressive list of credits. For all his career success, however, he’s still a relatively obscure name in comparison to some of the other actors who have been suggested for the MCU’s next Iron Man.
Looking at Bomer’s past acting credits gives some indication of why he’d be a great choice. He’s an incredibly versatile actor who is more than able to balance the comedy, drama, and action required of a major MCU role, but he also just happens to look the part. He’d make a great Tony Stark on looks alone, but he can also claim the rare perfect formula of being well-respected enough to avoid any backlash regarding his casting, while also being relatively lesser-known than other MCU stars, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the role. Should Marvel happen to be reading this, please give us Matt Bomer as Tony Stark in the MCU — he’d be absolutely perfect.
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Image via New Line Cinema
