Overview

• Al Gough and Miles Millar revealed in August 2025 interviews that they spent about a year developing multiple drafts of Iron Man for Avi Arad shortly after Spider-Man 2.
• New Line Cinema held the film rights at the time and its founder, Robert Shaye, raised objections—including whether Iron Man could fly—that led to the project stalling.
• The duo confirmed that Tom Cruise was once the top choice to play Tony Stark and was seriously interested in the role.
• After rights reverted to Marvel Studios, Jon Favreau directed Iron Man (2008) starring Robert Downey Jr., which launched the MCU.
• The new disclosures offer historical insight into Marvel’s early film strategy without altering any current MCU production plans.