Following the heroic death of Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will soon find another character to pick up the mantle: Riri Williams, AKA Ironheart. Played by Dominique Thorne, Ironheart will soon receive her own series, and with filming underway in Atlanta, Georgia, we now have our first look at her Iron armor thanks to some behind-the-scenes images.
Coming courtesy of Just Jared, the images offer our first look at what Riri Williams will put together to do justice to the name Iron Man. Looking a lot like what Stark sported during all those years as a superhero, and looking a lot bulkier than what Williams wears in the pages of Marvel Comics, Ironheart’s suit looks incredibly advanced and should come in handy as she faces off with Anthony Ramos’ villain.
Speaking of which, further set pics via Ironheart News reveal that Anthony Ramos will bring the Marvel villain The Hood to live action in the Ironheart series. The evil alter ego of Parker Robbins, The Hood was created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, and possesses a cloak and boots, both of which grant him different supernatural abilities. Despite this, he still loves to carry a gun, something which will clearly be carried over into Ironheart.
Due to be portrayed by If Beale Street Could Talk and Judas and the Black Messiah star Dominique Thorne, Riri Williams/Ironheart was created in 2016 by writers Brian Michael Bendis, and artist Mike Deodato. A 15-year-old engineering student and certified super-genius, Riri crafts a suit of armor similar to that of Marvel legend Iron Man. In the comics, however, Tony Stark is still alive, and Riri is summoned by him and given his endorsement to become a superhero.
Of course, the MCU’s Tony Stark is now dead thanks to the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist snapping his fingers while wearing the Infinity Gauntlet during the events of Avengers: Endgame. This should provide the Disney+ series Ironheart with a different way into the character’s origin, with Riri likely deciding to pick up the mantle to honor Tony Stark.
Ironheart Will Make Her MCU Debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Though she will eventually lead her own series, Riri Williams will first be introduced to audiences in the upcoming big screen sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While her part in proceedings is not yet known, a recent plot leak has claimed that she will play a vital role in the story, with merchandise revealing that Wiliams will sport a much more simple armor before upgrading to what we see in these set images. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 11, 2022, and finds the leaders of the kingdom of Wakanda fighting to protect their nation from invading forces that have suddenly emerged from beneath the sea in the wake of King T'Challa's death.
Created by Chinaka Hodge for the streaming service Disney+, Ironheart stars Harper Anthony, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich and Shea Couleé alongside Anthony Ramos and Dominique Thorne. Ironheart is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in late 2023 as part of Phase 5 of the MCU.