12:53pm UK, Monday January 05, 2004

Tom Cruise has said he is keen to play the lead in a Hollywood version of Marvel comic superhero Iron Man.

Cruise is working on a deal to portray him - but is keen to ensure it is not just another superhero film.

180 Tom Cruise serious looking

Iron Man Tom

He told Empire magazine: "He's a fascinating character, but we've got to figure out how it's going to work. And everyone is doing a Marvel character these days.

"How do we make that new, create something fresh where it doesn't feel like: 'Oh, here comes another superhero story'?"

Iron Man is the alter ego of billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, who must wear an armoured breastplate to protect his injured heart.

In between running a company and dealing with alcoholism, he fights bad guys with the aid of an incredibly advanced suit of armour and a large array of weaponry.