Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the movie first debuted in 2008, no one could have anticipated that it would have spanned an ever-growing universe of films and television shows that includes the highest-grossing movie of all time. However, did fans know that this huge success could have started even earlier?
Universal Studios actually purchased the rights to make an Iron Man movie in 1990. The rights were then sold to Fox and numerous actors were considered the role of Tony, including Nicholas Cage and Tom Cruise. If these plans had actually come to fruition, then maybe fans should consider who else could have been included in these movies too.
Whiplash / Dolph Lundgren
The supervillain Whiplash was the main antagonist in one thing the sequel didn't get right, but if the movie had been made in the 90s, it's likely the casting would have been similar. A good candidate for the villain would have been Dolph Lundgren, an 80s and 90s action star with plenty of experience in that arena. As many movie fans know, Lundgren did feature as the villain, Ivan Drago, in Rocky IV and Andrew Scott in Universal Soldier.
Iron Monger / Michael Caine
The villain of the first Iron Man movie was Obidiah Stane, Tony Stark's mentor, and business partner. In the MCU film, he was played by the great Jeff Bridges. However, if the movie had been made in the 90s, it's easy to imagine legendary British actor Michael Caine in the role.
Caine has shown in the Christopher Nolan Batman movies that he can play a kinder, older mentor, and father figure. And he can certainly do a heel turn, as he's exemplified Clue. His ability to walk the line would have made him a good choice for the villain.
Happy Hogan / Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Happy Hogan is a minor character in the grand scheme of things in the MCU. But his charm and dedication to the Stark family as well as business are qualities that Phillip Seymour Hoffman could have easily provided. Hoffman's star was on the rise in the 90s, thanks to roles in movies like Boogie Nights and The Talented Mr. Ripley. A terrific actor with an enormous range, he would have been perfect as the friend and body man to Tony Stark.
Nick Fury / Samuel L. Jackson
If the Iron Man movies had been made in the 90s, the character would likely have been modeled after his classic comic book appearance. But it's hard to imagine anyone other than Samuel L. Jackson in the role, and he was a major star on the rise in the 90s thanks to Pulp Fiction and other movies.
Samuel L. Jackson and Nick Fury have a roundabout relationship. The Ultimate Comics version of the character was actually modeled on the actor, which then became the basis for his appearance in the first Iron Man movie in 2008.
J.A.R.V.I.S. / Keanu Reeves
There were few actors more prominent than Keanu Reeves in the 90s. His high profile might deter some from thinking of him as the disembodied voice of J.A.R.V.I.S., but Reeves's quiet intensity would have been well-suited for the role as Iron Man's A.I.
Looking ahead to J.A.R.V.I.S. becoming The Vision, it's easy to see how Reeves could have been a great fit for the role of the superpowered synthezoid as well. Reeves was the star of a lot of underrated roles in the 90s that showcase his range.
Justin Hammer / Steve Buscemi
Another 90s star, Steve Buscemi, would have been ideal for the villain Justin Hammer. Hammer's insidious but quirky energy is a lock for Buscemi, who often brought an off-kilter energy to his roles, especially in the 90s.
His turns in Fargo and other movies showcased that he was capable of great character performances and being a villain as much as a hero. His later role as Nucky Thompson in Boardwalk Empire proved how much of a villain he could really be.
Black Widow / Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz rose to prominence in the 90s with her starring role in The Mummy. She is portraying a 'black widow' in the Black Widow movie, which would have made her ideal for the role of Natasha Romanoff in the 90s.
An outstanding actress with comedic timing and action chops, Weisz would have made an excellent Natasha. Just who she is playing in the Black Widow movie remains one of its unanswered questions, though clues in the trailer might give fans an idea.
War Machine / Will Smith
Will Smith was a major action star in the 90s with roles in Bad Boys and That movie would be interesting if recast today. If Iron Man were made back in the 90s, it's easy to see Smith in line for the role of James 'Rhodey' Rhodes, AKA War Machine.
Smith might have been too big in the late 90s to play the role, but might have been up for his increased profile in the larger MCU. War Machine, who has been played by both Terence Howard and Don Cheadle in the MCU, will feature in the Ironheart Disney+ streaming series.
Pepper Potts / Halle Berry
Gwyneth Paltrow was a major star in the late 90s so it's easy to imagine her being up for the role of Pepper Potts. However, there is another star who would have been perfect at the time (and in 2008): Halle Berry.
Berry has the spark and charisma of Paltrow, and the ability to play off another actor as she showed in her appearance as Jinx in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day. She also, of course, played a major Marvel character, Storm, in the Fox X-Men franchise of films, who could potentially cross over into the MCU thanks to the arrival of Quicksilver in WandaVision.
Iron Man / Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise almost played Iron Man in the 90s, and it's easy to see why. He has been playing the action hero for years. Since he had just been starting in the Mission: Impossible franchise and broadening his wings in movies like Magnolia, Cruise would have attracted a lot of attention for his acting range alone. If the Mission: Impossible franchise didn't work out, the world could have seen him play Iron Man for decades.
