The Arrival of Evil Iron Man in the MCU: Will He Bring the ‘Evil Avengers’ Along?

Superior Iron Man: The Villainous Version of a Beloved Hero

Although Iron Man ranks as one of the most celebrated heroes within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Marvel Comics, there exists a dark alternate persona that flips his heroic traits on their head. Fans speculate about the potential appearance of this villainous version, aptly named Superior Iron Man, along with an entire assembly of ‘evil Avengers‘ who could introduce new dynamics into the MCU.

The transformation into Superior Iron Man stems from the AXIS crossover event in Marvel Comics. Created by Rick Remender and illustrated by talents such as Adam Kubert and Leinil Francis Yu, this storyline sees the Red Skull harnessing Onslaught’s powers. As the threat grows, the combined magical intervention of Doctor Doom and Scarlet Witch enacts an ‘inversion spell,’ which effectively reverses the morality of every superhero and villain across the Marvel Universe.

This dramatic shift upends the established order in Earth-616, illustrating that unrestrained heroes can be significantly more perilous than traditional villains. Free from moral limitations, Tony Stark utilizes his unparalleled intellect to design the Endo-Sym Armor based on a symbiote and develops the EXTREMIS 3.0 application. This app enables mass control, even reaching high-ranking officials, while he strategically shields himself against the reversals of the morality spell, battling remnants of his once heroic identity.

With the capability to exert control over humanity through the EXTREMIS app, alongside his formidable Endo-Sym armor, Superior Iron Man becomes nearly invincible. The height of his threat is realized with the formation of his own version of the Avengers, comprised of a morally inverted team including figures like Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor, Kluh (the Hulk), Medusa, and Luke Cage.

The Motivation Behind Superior Iron Man’s Evil Avengers

Exploring Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #7

Superior Iron Man assembling the 'evil Avengers' of the AXIS world.

Superior Iron Man proves he has the capability to dominate the world alone; however, his decision to assemble an evil Avengers team was pivotal in counteracting another rising threat: the X-Men. The inversion spell had equally transformed the X-Men into more villainous figures, now led by Apocalypse. Unwilling to lose his newfound dominance, Superior Iron Man rallied his team to confront and ultimately suppress this newly aggressive group.

The Necessity of Introducing Superior Iron Man to the MCU

Anticipation for Superior Iron Man in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Superior Iron Man and his evil Avengers standing over the defeated X-Men.

Marvel has showcased the undeniable menace posed by Superior Iron Man and his corrupt teammates. As the MCU leans into narratives involving alternate dimensions and variant characters, the concept of AXIS as a separate multiversal reality seems feasible. This opens doors for thrilling multiverse showdowns, particularly between the original Avengers and their evil counterparts—the potential for dynamic storytelling is immense.

Leading up to the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there was speculation that Superior Iron Man would align with the Illuminati. While fans were dismayed by the absence of this anticipated character, it may have prevented him from being reduced to a fleeting cameo.

A Perfect Casting Choice: Tom Cruise as Superior Iron Man

The Case for Tom Cruise as Superior Iron Man

Tom Cruise with the MCU's Iron Man behind him.

Tom Cruise emerged as the frontrunner for the role of Superior Iron Man, particularly during the discussions surrounding Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. His appeal for this character extends beyond mere fan enthusiasm; it is steeped in historical significance. According to the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, Tom Cruise was once considered for the role of Tony Stark back in the 1990s when 20th Century Fox held the rights to Iron Man. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, that possibility fell through, leaving Robert Downey Jr. to redefine the character.

“Ten years earlier, when the Iron Man rights were at 20th Century Fox, Tom Cruise, then thirty-four, had flirted with the idea of playing Stark… According to Fiege, however, Cruise’s asking fee at the time was more than even a profitable studio like Fox was willing to risk on an untested superhero property.”

With Marvel Studios now a multi-billion dollar powerhouse, the notion of Cruise stepping into the role of Superior Iron Man is not only financially viable but creatively intriguing. His involvement would symbolize a long-awaited culmination of an idea that has been decades in the making, while also ensuring that the character of Superior Iron Man receives the thorough and nuanced portrayal he deserves in a live-action format.

Incorporating Superior Iron Man, alongside Tom Cruise, would not only enrich the MCU with a compelling narrative thread but would also present an exciting challenge for the original Avengers, particularly with his team of evil Avengers at his side.

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