Ironheart picks up Riri Williams’ story as she steps into her own spotlight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, drawing inspiration from Iron Man. A new behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Disney+ series reveals that the show takes place just three days after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Shared by Marvel Studios on X (formerly Twitter), the teaser includes interviews with lead actress Dominique Thorne and the creative team, such as Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler and series creator/showrunner Chinaka Hodge. In the featurette, released a day before the official trailer, Hodge explains that the series delves into Riri’s “formative years.” Coogler reflected on the excitement surrounding Riri’s comic book debut in 2016, expressing how thrilled he is to bring her into the MCU and tie her story to Wakanda. He called it an honor to help tell stories that resonate with fans.
Hodge also praised Coogler for successfully translating Riri’s origin to television, while Thorne described Ironheart as her “powerful debut” in the MCU. Riri, a brilliant MIT student and inventor, played a crucial role in Wakanda Forever, working with Shuri (Letitia Wright) after her development of a vibranium-detecting device became known. The series will continue to explore the emotional and narrative consequences of that film, which earned $859 million globally and an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Thorne hinted that Riri undergoes a lot of personal introspection after the intense events of the movie.
Filming for Ironheart wrapped around the time Wakanda Forever hit theaters in late 2022, with some additional scenes shot in early 2023. The show follows Riri as she returns to Chicago to come to terms with her experiences in Wakanda. There, she encounters Parker Robbins, a villain who dabbles in the dark arts, also known as The Hood (played by Anthony Ramos). As Riri confronts him, she uncovers hidden truths that lead to a clash between science and magic, propelling her into a thrilling journey. The cast also includes Lyric Ross as Natalie Washington, Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy, and Captain America: Civil War’s Jim Rash reprising his role as the MIT Dean. Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen also joins the cast in a mystery role. The six-episode miniseries is part of Marvel’s Phase Five and has faced several delays. Thorne, who almost turned down the role of Riri, has shared her desire to see Ironheart appear in future Avengers films, including Doomsday and Secret Wars, even hoping for an on-screen encounter with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
Ironheart premieres on Disney+ on June 24 with the release of the first three episodes.