The Watchmen Character Tom Cruise Wanted To Play, According To Zack Snyder

«Watchmen» could have been a different beast altogether if Tom Cruise had starred in the film. One of the most bankable actors of all time, Cruise’s inclusion in the film, especially as the non-masked Ozymandias, could have elevated the film’s financial viability. «Watchmen» grossed shy of $190 million worldwide, emerging as one of Zack Snyder’s biggest box office flops. Despite poor financial receipts, «Watchmen» stands out as a cult favorite for Snyder fans and is one of the most interesting and bold films in the superhero canon.

In a chat with Newsday in 2009, Snyder admitted that he had difficulty casting Ozymandias because of how unique the character’s traits were. «We were having a hard time casting [the role], because we needed someone handsome, beautiful and sophisticated, and that’s a tough combo,» Snyder said. While he was probably intrigued with tackling a complex character like Rorschach, it’s unclear why Cruise didn’t jump for the Ozymandias role. On paper, Cruise is the perfect choice for Ozymandias, a character who is known for his charm and striking looks. There’s no better fit for that description than Cruise, but alas, the «Mission: Impossible» actor wasn’t interested. «Watchmen» would have also served as the actor’s superhero debut, something fans have been wanting to see for years. 

It’s unclear how the actor started chatting with the director about «Watchmen,» but it probably stemmed from the surprising phone call Snyder received from Cruise thanks to «300» and its wild success.