A film franchise unlike any other in the world at present, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had 24 films released to date, with last year's Avengers: Endgame going on to become the highest-grossing film of all-time as it went on to earn $2.79 billion in global box office collections. Marvel Studios’ last release was Spider-Man: Far From Home and are currently in the process of releasing the much-awaited Scarlett Johansson starrer, Black Widow, once there is a better resolve in the coronavirus pandemic crisis. 

Among the upcoming films in the MCU Phase Four other than Black Widow are Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, an untitled Spider-Man: Far From Home sequel, Thor: Love and Thunder and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while future announced projects also include Black Panther II and an untitled Captain Marvel sequel. In this list of forthcoming Marvel films, the Doctor Strange sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, will see Benedict Cumberbatch reprising his role as the Supreme Sorcerer and this time under the 2000s Spider-Man trilogy fame Sam Raimi's direction. 

Having said that, reports are now doing the rounds stating iconic Hollywood action superstar Tom Cruise is being considered for a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as an alternate universe Iron Man. Apparently, Marvel Studios is considering having several cameos from various actors, with Cruise reportedly being eyed to play Tony Stark / Iron Man from another Earth in the Doctor Strange sequel since it will explore different universes. Although there has been no confirmation yet on the reports, the news of Tom Cruise's appearance in a Marvel venture has left many fans around the world quite excited. For years, the Iron Man character was portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., with his character’s arc coming to an end in last year’s Avengers: Endgame. It is to be noted that the role was almost offered to the Mission Impossible star more than a decade back, but eventually went to RDJ, who appeared as the superhero character on screen in more than 10 films. 

As for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it is speculated that the film will deal with the trippy and gothic exploration of the Marvel superhero's magical powers. The upcoming sequel scheduled for a March 25, 2022 worldwide release will see Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange teaming up with Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch.