Deadpool and Wolverine: Robert Downey Jr turned down Iron Man's cameo! Know why

Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest flick Deadpool and Wolverine has scripted history across the world with its successful run in theaters. Fans are certainly extremely elated to see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their iconic roles of Deadpool and Wolverine. As per last reports, the movie's global box office collection has reached $900 million and is eyeing a $1 billion mark. The cameos of several iconic characters from the Avengers and X Men Universe elevated the excitement among viewers. Moreover, Henry Cavil's appearance as Wolverine delighted many. 

Henry Cavil as Wolverine in Deadpool and Wolverine

However, did you know Robert Downey Jr was approached by the makers for a cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine as Tony Stark/Iron Man?

Exciting cameos in Deadpool and Wolverine

Hulk, Thor and many other characters from Avengers had a cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine. Apart from that, the appearance of several iconic characters from X-Men made the movie more visually appealing. In addition to that, Chris Evan's Johnny Storm aka Human Torch from the Fantastic Four was icing on the cake. However, another iconic character from the Avengers Universe, Iron Man, whom everyone expected, was missing from the movie, which left many disheartened.

Woohuuuu#DeadpoolAndWolverine
It's #Deadpool vs/& #Wolverine vs #xmen vs Deadpools
Crossovers of
Fantastic 4 (1), #Avengers was incredibly amazing to watch#RyanReynolds #HughJackman Marvelous
❤ #MCU #MarvelStudios #MarvelCinematicUniverse #India pic.twitter.com/fao9PU6C4c

— NITESH KUMAR (@KumarNikstwiter) July 30, 2024

During a recent interview with Indiewire, Deadpool and Wolverine co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick revealed that initially Robert Downey Jr was courted to reprise his iconic role of Tony Stark aka Iron Man for a cameo in the latest record-breaking blockbuster. However, he turned down the offer. While this is certainly quite surprising, it now makes all sense as Downey is returning back to the MCU with a much larger and different capacity as Doctor Doom. Well, none in the Deadpool and Wolverine team knew about Downey's return to the MCU as a villain.

Wernick was quoted as saying, "We had wanted him to do a cameo. We had written that scene [to start] with Happy and Downey.”

In the movie, Reynolds has a scene with Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan) in which his character 'Merc with a Mouth' pitches himself for a spot in the Avengers lineup. He uses Cable’s time machine to jump over to The Sacred Timeline. However, Hogan rejects him since Deadpool is too self-centred for the Avengers and just not a team player. Well, the original idea of the scene was also having Downey's Tony Stark in the room. 

Reese was quoted as saying, "Ryan Reynolds wrote the scene with both of them, so in the hopes we could get Downey. But he also wanted Favreau, because they’re a great combo, and they were all in the scene together.”

Read More: Robert Downey Jr returns to the new 'Avengers', but not as Iron Man! Check details

Further, Wernick said that they were unaware of Downey's return as Doctor Doom and there is no way that he would play both the characters.

Initially, the writers were convinced about Downey's cameo as no one says a 'no' to Reynolds, including Downey. Even Reynolds gave Downey the script and he read it. But he passed on the cameo.

Downey's denial was the only 'no' the Deadpool team got. But MCU had its own plans of bringing him back as Doctor Doom. And, having him as Tony Stark/Iron Man makes no sense.

Not just Downey's Tony Stark/Iron Man's iconic character, Deadpool and Wolverine team had plans to bring the six OG members of Avengers, including, Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Chris Evans’ Captain America.

All OG Avengers in Deadpool and Wolverine!

Well, the writers had a version of that scene of bringing all the Avengers in one room which wasn't written. 

As per the planned scene, Wade would get mad after getting rejected. After getting dressed as Avengers in his Deadpool swag, he would attack each one of them in a vicious way. There were many more things planned but Downey could only read the story.

Well, though not as Tony Stark or Iron Man, fans will get to see Downey as Doctor Doom. It would be certainly exciting to see him as a villain.

Read More: 'Deadpool and Wolverine' was all set to be shelved for Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman made a call and...