Ironheart Actress Teases The Effect Of Black Panther 2 On MCU Series

Dominique Thorne breaks down how the events of Black Panther 2 have changed Riri Williams' view of the world leading into Ironheart. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces Riri Williams into the MCU as a genius 19-year-old MIT student. Riri is pulled into the conflict between Wakanda and Talokan, which opens her eyes to the full scope of the world she lives in. It makes sense that Riri has been changed after learning about the existence of a hidden underwater kingdom, seeing Wakanda, working with Shuri, and using a technologically advanced armor that she built.

Riri may return to her life at MIT after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but the ripple effects will be felt in the new Ironheart series. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Thorne talked about how the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever change Riri Williams in Ironheart. She explains how Riri has no choice but to face the larger worlds around her after returning to MIT.

"It's definitely a question that's best answered by coming over to the series next year, but I definitely think that a lot of what we see with Riri in particular, in Wakanda Forever, is the beginning of her having to reckon with this ambition of hers and really start to understand what it might mean.

I think that up until that point, and as it's hinted in the show, she's moving through MIT. She's got her own little side business going, making a deal over there until she has a reason to look up quite literally and see these larger worlds that are in front of her that she now has no choice but to face. I think that sort of confrontation of nothing but her own brilliance and her own genius is a very exciting thing in itself. I think that, if folks were intrigued enough by that, they might find satisfaction over at the series next year too."

How Ironheart Might Tie Into MCU Phase 5 & Beyond

Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams wearing the Mark I Ironheart suit in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever seems to be a turning point in Riri's story forcing her to really see the world beyond her own and how her own actions, ambition, and brilliance can impact it. Riri's growth and maturity by the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sets up a new understanding and arc for the young hero in Ironheart. By introducing Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the MCU has opened the door to Riri exploring the more magical corners of the MCU.

Riri Williams' Ironheart is expected to continue the legacy of Tony Stark's Iron Man as the new genius armor-clad hero. While the characters have some similarities in their intelligence, skills as engineers, and heroism, their motivations, backgrounds, and views of the world are vastly different. Although Tony is a mentor to Riri in the comics, that won't be the case in the MCU. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever showed Shuri briefly stepping into the role, but perhaps the more intriguing outcome of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is how it changed Riri's understanding of the world she lives in.

With Coogler continuing Riri's story as an executive producer on Ironheart and Parker Robbins, aka The Hood, featured in the upcoming series, it seems like Riri will be contending with more of the magic of the MCU. If this is the case, it could set up a battle between magic and technology. This would open the door to the types of threats that Riri would be able to fight as the MCU continues to expand into more magic, horror, and cosmic elements. This could also set Riri up as a perfect addition to a potential Young Avengers team. Not only would she be playing a role similar to Iron Man in terms of abilities and intelligence, but she would also be invaluable when fighting the MCU's more extraordinary villains.

Next: Yes, Wakanda Forever's Riri Williams Is MCU's Official Iron Man Replacement