the MCU timeline gets further into 2025, the next TV show that will be arriving from Marvel Studios on Disney+ is Ironheart, after years of being in development. With Riri replacing Tony in several ways, following the heroic loss of Iron Man in Phase 3, her series on Disney+ will be tackling things differently from Ironheart's Marvel Comics canon.

In a new interview with SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar), Thorne addressed how the MCU is tackling Ironheart's story, following her introduction in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Not only does Thorne explain how Riri differs from Tony Stark, she also references how the hero operating without someone like Tony as a mentor following his Avengers: Endgame death affects her story, as she shared the following:

There’s a clear understanding that she’s not Tony Stark. She does not have a billion dollars at her disposal. She does not have the resources... she doesn’t have the mentorship, or the guidance. And so what does it look like for someone like The Hood to enter her sphere now, where she is vulnerable and reflecting? It does set the stage for a very interesting journey ahead to see the people who pop up as she’s working to get those answers and what the scale of their influence can be, if any?

What Dominique Thorne's Ironheart Comments Mean For Her MCU TV Show

Thorne's comments make sense, as while Riri and Tony have a notable dynamic in the comics, the MCU can't really tackle it, since Downey Jr.'s Iron Man is not around anymore and the storyline of his AI replica appears to not be part of the MCU. However, as Throne explains, that makes the Ironheart show even more fascinating, since it gives Riri different challenges to overcome. Without the same resources and foundation as Tony, Riri has to rely even more on herself to decide how she operates as a superhero, as well as how she develops her Ironheart armor.

trailer also demonstrated that the story will be more dependent on Riri's intelligence and morals while navigating new players like The Hood, which makes her story seem compelling. It's also crucial to that not only does Riri lack the same financial resources as Tony, but she also doesn't have as many connections as some MCU hero do, since she is not involved with the Avengers at this point in her arc. However, this could arguably allow Ironheart to let Riri shine more as she evolves in her journey as one of the MCU's newer superheroes.

Our Take On Dominique Thorne's Ironheart Comments

Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams wears her new suit of armor's helmet in Ironheart

From everything Thorne described about the show, Ironheart's return to the MCU timeline is going to be fascinating to follow, especially given how long it has been since fans last saw the character. Based on Thorne's comments, the Ironheart series is also clearly going to make sure that Riri is more than just Iron Man's replacement, and show how she is unique even when drawing on similarities between her and Downey Jr.'s beloved MCU character. With a month left to go, the world will soon get to witness for themselves how the Ironheart show will take Riri's story further.

Ironheart official poster
Ironheart
Release Date
June 24, 2025
Network
CBS
Showrunner
Chinaka Hodge
Directors
Chinaka Hodge
Writers
Chinaka Hodge
  • headshot of Dominique Thorne
    Dominique Thorne
    Riri Williams / Ironheart
  • Headshot Of Anthony Ramos
    Parker Robbins / The Hood
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Lyric Ross
    Natalie Washington
  • Headshot Of Alden Ehrenreich
    Alden Ehrenreich
    Joe McGillicuddy

Set after Dominique Thorne's MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios' Ironheart series follows Riri Williams as she follows in Iron Man's steps as a high-tech superhero and crosses paths with Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins a.k.a. The Hood, a magic with ties to the dark arts. The six-episode Disney+ series is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5.

Main Genre
Superhero
Seasons
1
Number of Episodes
6
Prequel
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Story By
Chinaka Hodge
Streaming Service(s)
Disney+

MCU Movies

Source: SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar)