Massachusetts Institute of Technology students never cease to amaze. From their renowned IQs to their innovative thinking around science and technology, these students push the boundary of what’s possible - even with their campus announcements.
In MIT's latest announcement for Pi Day, which is the massive school-wide celebration announcing who will be itted to the program, students created a promotional video starring Invincible Iron Man’s Riri Williams, who goes by Ironheart. The character flies through campus carrying a metal tube (implied ission letters) and features the caption, “Not all heroes wear capes. But some carry tubes.”
The student film released by MIT is dazzling to say the least, achieving a level of Hollywood-style production value with their model of Riri Williams in her Iron Man suit. The story follows Riri, a student at MIT, as she goes from sitting in class to deg and building her own super suit and eventually heading to the office of Stu Schmill, Dean of issions, to help him carry out the important task of making dreams come true. Watch the video above.
The video was produced by Cowboy L. '20 and Loren S. '17 and directed by Chris Peterson SM '13 and Selam G. '18. The Riri suit was inspired by fanart from Tumblr and the Ironheart model was modified from “Iron_Man” by TurboSquid Dipu_1. Though there are not many more details surrounding the video, it looks like Marvel was not involved. The students, rather, used their own designs based on artwork available online.
The character of Riri Williams first appeared in Invincible Iron Man volume 7 #7 and operates under the codename Ironheart. In the story, Riri is a 15-year-old engineering student who starts attending MIT on scholarship. On her own, Riri designs a suit of armor mimicking Iron Man’s using stolen material from campus. When caught by campus security, Riri jumps in her suit and escapes. Shortly after, she stops two inmates from escaping the New Mexico State Penitentiary, marking her first heroic act. When Tony Stark gets word of her accomplishments, he condones her desire to become a superhero.
The students’ decision to use Ironheart as their 2017 hero is exciting given the current Hollywood climate of the emerging of female superheroes. Seeing Riri come to life on screen, even if it is the laptop screen, is making Iron Man fans very excited. With Marvel's Wonder Woman on the horizon, perhaps the buzz will tickle the ears of studio executives and we’ll get a chance to see Ms. Williams fly across the silver screen in the near future.
Next: Should Marvel Cast a New Iron Man in Phase 4?
Source: MIT issions