The Brutal R-Rated Superhero Role Tom Cruise Lobbied For: “Would Have Been Unbelievable”

In Hollywood today, it’s almost a given that major stars have stepped into the superhero universe—except for a few holdouts like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, and of course, Tom Cruise. Yet, fans may be surprised to learn that nearly two decades ago, Cruise was keen on joining the superhero ranks—not as the glossy hero, but as one of the most brutal and complex characters in comic book history.

The Early Marvel Approach and Cruise’s Decline

Back in 2005, Marvel Studios was preparing to launch its cinematic empire with Iron Man, a character then considered a lesser-known “C-list” hero. To secure box office success, Marvel’s fledgling studio sought a big-name star to play Tony Stark, and Tom Cruise was among those approached. But Cruise declined the role, telling IGN at the time, “When I do something, I want to do it right… it just didn’t feel to me like it was gonna work.”

Of course, history proved Cruise wrong when Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic Iron Man performance helped ignite the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cruise later praised the casting decision, calling Downey’s portrayal “perfect.”

The Watchmen Opportunity

For years, it seemed Cruise’s flirtation with superhero movies had ended—until 2024 brought a fascinating revelation from director Zack Snyder. Known for his visually striking adaptations like 300 and Dawn of the Dead, Snyder revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he once pitched Cruise a role in his 2009 film adaptation of Watchmen—the critically acclaimed and notoriously complex graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

Snyder initially wanted Cruise to play Ozymandias, aka Adrian Veidt, the charming and brilliant philanthropist who ultimately emerges as the story’s villain. But in a surprising twist, Cruise expressed more interest in portraying the violent, masked vigilante Rorschach—a morally uncompromising antihero known for brutal justice and psychological intensity.

Tom Cruise as Rorschach? An Unbelievable Vision

Rorschach is one of comics’ darkest characters: a relentless, masked enforcer who spares no one and delivers grim, noir-style narration. He mercilessly beats a child predator with a meat cleaver and isn’t afraid to get covered in “human bean juice.” Playing such an intense, masked character was an unusual choice for Cruise, but Snyder enthusiastically recalls, “It would have been unbelievable.”

However, the role was already cast with Jackie Earle Haley, whose gritty performance earned praise from fans and critics alike. Snyder admits, “Tom wanted to play Rorschach, which obviously he could have done, but we had Jackie already, and Jackie’s unbelievable. I certainly would have considered Tom in retrospect if I hadn’t had Jackie.”

A Missed Opportunity in Superhero Cinema

This rare behind-the-scenes story reveals a side of Tom Cruise rarely seen—a willingness to take on challenging, gritty roles within the superhero genre. While the world never got to see Cruise as the masked, brutal Rorschach, the idea of his take on the character remains a tantalizing “what if” for fans.

As superhero movies continue evolving, one can’t help but wonder if Cruise might still find a way to join the genre—perhaps in a similarly unexpected, edgy role that showcases his dedication to doing things “right.”

For now, the brutal Rorschach role remains a fascinating chapter in the superhero saga that almost was—and a reminder that even the biggest stars sometimes come close to radically surprising us all.