“She’s Not Tony Stark”: The MCU’s Iron Man Replacement Explains The Biggest Difference Between Her Character And Robert Downey Jr’s Marvel Hero & How His Death Affects Her Story

by

Dominique Thorne, who plays the lead character in Ironheart, discusses the unique qualities of Riri Williams compared to Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man as the character gears up for her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As we move deeper into 2025, the upcoming TV series from Marvel Studios on Disney+, titled Ironheart, is set to premiere after a long development process. With Riri taking over certain aspects left vacant by Tony Stark following his heroic demise in Phase 3, her upcoming Disney+ show will approach things differently than Ironheart’s comic book counterpart.

In an interview with SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar), Thorne discussed how the Marvel Cinematic Universe is handling Ironheart’s narrative after her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Thorne elaborates on how Riri differs from Tony Stark, and she highlights how the absence of a mentor like Tony following his Endgame death impacts her story. She noted:

“Riri is not just mimicking Tony Stark; she’s carving out her own path. Her journey will be significantly different because she doesn’t have him as a guide anymore.

It’s undeniable that she is not like Tony Stark, lacking both the immense wealth and the mentorship or guidance he had. Given her current state, where she seems vulnerable and introspective, how does it play out when someone akin to The Hood appears in her life? This situation promises an engaging tale as we watch who emerges to help her uncover the truth, and assess the extent of their impact on her journey, should any be present.

Read More

2025-05-20 14:57