When it was announced that the first Iron Man film would kickstart Marvel's MCU, it seemed like a bit of a strange choice. The character was largely seen as a second-tier Marvel property, far behind the likes of Spider-Man and the X-Men. Now, almost 15 years later, Iron Man is regarded as the film that put Marvel Studios on the map, with the 2008 film grossing $500 million at the global box office and making its star, Robert Downey Jr., a household name in the process. Today, Iron Man is considered one of the MCU's most valuable franchises and the film that set up its success.

Today, it is hard to imagine a more perfect actor for the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man, but with the MCU seemingly heading for a soft reboot in 2027 and Marvel teasing the return of a number of lost heroes, 'old shell head' will likely the first name on the team sheet. Or, even if a reboot isn't in the cards, it's possible that a variant Iron Man could appear in the Multiverse Saga played by a new actor. Here are 10 actors that could replace Downey Jr. in the role if a new Tony Stark does ever show up.

10 Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper provides his voice to the irrepressible Rocket Raccoon, but he has yet to appear in front of the camera. Cooper has the looks and the natural charisma to play billionaire playboy Tony Stark and could comfortably take over as the new leader of the Avengers. One aspect of Tony Stark that hasn't fully been explored in previous MCU films is his battle with alcohol addiction. Cooper has shown his ability to get under the skin of characters struggling with their inner demons in films like American Sniper and A Star is Born and would bring plenty of nuances to a more damaged Tony Stark.

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9 Chris Pine

Chris Pine is no stranger to playing roguish characters, with scene-stealing performances in any number of films over the years. Pine has also shown his ability to lead big franchises, playing Captain James T. Kirk in the Stark Trek films, and at 43, he could play the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man for an extended period of time, something that would be necessary for a rebooted MCU. Pine will bring a considerable amount of charm to the role, while he has also shown in recent years that he brings a lot of range, with his work in Don't Worry Darling a big departure from previous roles.

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8 Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling is riding the success of Barbie and is a very hot property right now, making him an obvious choice to take on such a major role. Gosling has been rumored for a number of parts in the current MCU, but if a soft reboot is on the cards, it would make sense to bring him in as a character that the new MCU can be built around. There is no doubt that Gosling has the looks and the superstar stature for such a high-profile role, but he also brings great comic timing and plenty of dramatic range.

7 Joseph Gordon-Levitt

At 42, Joseph Gordon-Levitt could play the role of Iron Man for more than a decade, but it's not just age that puts him front of the queue. Gordon-Levitt has a hugely diverse range, with a compelling resume that includes romantic comedies like 500 Days of Summer, sci-fi mind-benders such as Inception, and, of course, comic book movies like The Dark Knight Rises. He also has the charisma needed for Tony Stark, as well as the on-screen presence necessary to carry a major franchise. More recently, Gordon-Levitt has gravitated towards more dramatic roles, making him a unique choice for the role of Iron Man.

6 Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell is no stranger to comic book films, but he has yet to play the hero, appearing as Bullseye in 2003's Daredevil and the Penguin in The Batman. Farrell will be reprising the latter in 2024 for Max's The Penguin, but he will do so under a mountain of prosthetics, meaning he will be largely unrecognizable. Farrell is very much a leading man and would inhabit Tony Stark as a charming playboy, but with a considerable edge. Farrell has the acting pedigree to bring something very special to the role and would bring a multi-layered performance to Stark, who is more than just a man in an iron suit.

5 John David Washington

John David Washington may not seem the most obvious choice for Iron Man, but with a reboot, the MCU could bring something different to the role. Washington would put a different spin on Stark, and at 39, he would have time to grow the character. Washington has shown he can carry a leading role, has a strong screen presence, and will bring a real sense of gravitas to the role. His most recent roles have leaned into a more serious tone, but in Ballers, Washington showed that he is not afraid to have some fun with a character and could bring balance to Tony Stark with a layered performance.

4 Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult has narrowly missed several superhero roles, but that could soon change. His recent turn in The Menu displayed his ability to deliver something different with his unsettling portrayal of an obsessive foodie. Hoult would bring a fresh face to Tony Stark and would allow for the MCU to build the character progressively, allowing for Hoult to tackle some of the character's darker storylines, bringing emotional depth to the character that is hard-earned. No stranger to big franchises, Hoult would be a unique choice for the role, but that could be exactly what is needed for an MCU reboot.

3 Matt Bomer

Smart, charismatic, and debonair, Matt Bomer would make a perfect Tony Stark in a rebooted MCU. Bomer is far more than a pretty face, however, with his emotionally charged portrayal of Larry Trainor/Negative Man in DC's Doom Patrol proving just how good an actor he is. His work as Trainor is a great example of what he could bring to Stark, with both characters often being forced to carry a burden that seems too heavy to bear. Despite being active for years, Bomer has yet to land a starring role in a major blockbuster, and this could be just the opportunity to change that.

2 Steven Yeun

Since he first appeared in The Walking Dead, Steven Yeun has gone on to become a very interesting actor, with intriguing turns in films like Nope and Beef. His ability to balance humor with more dramatic fare shows that he could portray a character who is fighting his own demons as much as he is battling external threats. However, while the casting would fit perfectly, it's likely not meant to be with Yeun cast in the upcoming Thunderbolts as a hitherto undisclosed character.

1 Alden Ehrenreich

Alden Ehrenreich has taken on an iconic role before, and while his movie as Han Solo didn't quite land, he could be just the actor needed to take over from Downey Jr. Ehrenreich's career took a bit of a hit following Solo, but he has all the necessary attributes to take on a character like Iron Man. Ehrenreich has a devilish charm about him, but as he has also shown, he is able to bring so much more than an impish swagger. At 33, he could carry the MCU for some time, and as he showed in Solo, he is not afraid to take on a challenging assignment.