Summary:
- Due to a recent deal with Warner Bros, Discovery, Tom Cruise could appear in another franchise from the company, especially the DCU.
- Rumors suggest that the Top Gun actor could portray Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, a crucial member of the Justice League and the Lantern Corp.
- Tom Cruise previously came very close to playing Iron Man in the MCU, before Robert Downey Jr eventually took the role.
Tom Cruise is edging closer to stepping into James Gunn‘s rebooted DC Universe, a development sparked by his latest career move.
Cruise, one of Hollywood’s undisputed action heroes and a magnet for box office success, has long been a fan favorite for superhero roles. His recent blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick, was pivotal in drawing audiences back to theaters post-pandemic.
Now, with a new expansive deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, Cruise’s involvement in the DC Universe is looking more likely. This partnership will see him star, develop, and produce a variety of projects, potentially including DC films.
Though Cruise has never donned a superhero cape, his new agreement with Warner Bros. could pave the way for such a role. With James Gunn and Peter Safran sculpting a new era for the DC Universe, it’s understandable that Cruise’s collaboration might intersect with DC projects.
And we already have found the perfect role for the Mission: Impossible alum. One character stands out as a perfect match for Cruise: Hal Jordan, the most famous Green Lantern from the comics.
Cruise has always been a popular choice among fans to play Hal Jordan, thanks to his iconic role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the Top Gun franchise. The actor has all the charismatic presence and is also quippy enough to play Hal, one of the most beloved superheroes of the Justice League.
While Ryan Reynolds took on the role in 2011’s Green Lantern, which didn’t work as Warner Bros. intended, Hal Jordan is simply too big of a character to be missed out on, and he’s slated to return in the DCU.
The character will feature prominently in the upcoming Lanterns series, alongside John Stewart, another famous Lantern who has yet to make his live-action debut. The upcoming DC series recently secured a powerhouse creative team including Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof, Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy, and DC writer Tom King.
Cruise’s portrayal of a fighter pilot in Top Gun mirrors many qualities essential for Hal Jordan—a charismatic and daring Justice League member, who’s also very quippy and has a strong personality that matches his sense of duty.
However, neither Hal Jordan nor Jon Stewart will be the first Lantern to appear in the DCU. Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner will make his DCU debut in the upcoming Superman movie, marking the first time that the character appears on the big screen.
Cruise himself has been open about his willingness to explore superhero roles as well, stating that he would consider them if he felt he could add value and entertain audiences
In the past, the actor was almost cast to play Iron Man in the MCU, but the role ultimately belonged to Robert Downey Jr. instead. However, Cruise will finally get his chance to play a superhero more than a decade later, should he join the DCU as Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern.
