Marvel missed the perfect opportunity for a Tom Cruise cameo in the MCU, and it has nothing to do with Superior Iron Man in Doctor Strange 2.
Secret Invasion means that Marvel missed the best opportunity for a Tom Cruise MCU cameo, which would have nothing to do with Iron Man in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The fact that Tom Cruise was reportedly attached to play Iron Man in the early 2000s, combined with Doctor Strange 2’s multiverse cameos, led to theories and rumors about Cruise playing an Iron Man variant. Rumors about Tom Cruise playing Superior Iron Man in Doctor Strange 2 continued until the film was released, leading to some frustration over it not happening.
While a meta Tom Cruise cameo in Doctor Strange 2 as another universe’s Tony Stark did not happen Tom Cruise joining the MCU in any form would be exciting. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have recently joined Marvel projects, be it for small cameos like Matt Damon in Taika Waititi’s Thor movies or significant roles like Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World. Therefore, a Tom Cruise Marvel cameo is not necessarily impossible. Still, Marvel already missed the perfect opportunity for Tom Cruise to appear in the MCU.
Tom Cruise Should Have Appeared In Secret Invasion
In Marvel Comics’ Secret Invasion, in addition to all the Avengers who were replaced by Skrulls, some real-life public figures were also replaced. It is not uncommon for superhero comic books to reference real-life celebrities or politicians, especially in stories that are supposed to impact the entire Marvel Universe. It was no different for Marvel Comics’ Secret Invasion, during which Tom Cruise was one of the celebrities chosen by the Skrulls to be replaced with a Skrull. While this was just a fun piece of worldbuilding within the comic, Marvel could have it used as an inspiration to have Tom Cruise in Disney’s Secret Invasion.
It is easier to imagine Tom Cruise having a cameo rather than an extended role in the MCU. When it comes to meta references, Tom Cruise as Iron Man would surely have been a fun moment, especially at a time when multiverse films are referencing movies and castings that never came to be. However, Tom Cruise playing himself – or playing a Skrull playing Tom Cruise – would have been both a meta-reference to the comic and served the story. Not only would have this brought the Secret Invasion storyline full circle with a moment from the comics, but it would also have made Secret Invasion’s Skrull reveals more far-reaching.
Secret Invasion’s Skrull Impostors Were Totally Underwhelming
The biggest problem with Marvel’s Secret Invasion show is that it does not feel like a major event within the context of the Marvel Universe. The fact that the Avengers are not in Secret Invasion already plays against the show, as it naturally lowers the stakes for what should be a world-ending event. The main hook of the original Secret Invasion comic was how anyone could be a Skrull, including the superheroes. The Secret Invasion show, on the other hand, has so far only featured only one Avenger, War Machine. Therefore, when Secret Invasion revealed that Rhodey is a Skrull, the twist was relatively predictable. The same applies to Everett Ross.
Secret Invasion has also revealed that a few politicians are Skrulls in disguise. However, considering that those are all fictional characters that had never appeared in the MCU before, the Skrull twist does not really have any impact. Having a couple of Hollywood stars, perhaps some of the ones that were referenced in the comics, cameo as “Skrull versions” of themselves in Secret Invasion would have helped the show expand the impact of its main premise.