Disney’s announcement to cut back on Marvel shows for Disney+ has put the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever spin-off series, Ironheart, on the backburner. However, new footage of Dominique Thorne reprising her role as Riri Williams was recently showcased at D23, offering fans a glimpse into the series’ development.
The new clips revealed that Riri Williams has returned to MIT but is now facing significant challenges. Unlike her previous situation in Wakanda, she lacks the advanced resources she once had. Jim Rash returns as the MIT Dean from Captain America: Civil War, hinting at possible trouble for Riri, including a potential expulsion from the university.
In her quest to rebuild her Ironheart armor, Riri turns to Parker Robbins, played by Anthony Ramos. While Robbins has yet to fully embrace his role as The Hood, he guides Riri down a morally ambiguous path to acquire the parts she needs for her suit. This new armor appears to be more of a DIY project compared to her previous, more sophisticated design.
The D23 presentation also saw the involvement of executive producer Ryan Coogler, Dominique Thorne, and other cast members, who confirmed that Ironheart is slated for a 2025 premiere on Disney+. This revelation has set expectations high for the series.
Aside from Ironheart, D23 also dazzled attendees with a variety of other previews. The Daredevil: Born Again trailer, Human Torch’s costume in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and new Star Wars content including trailers for Skeleton Crew and footage from The Mandalorian were highlights. Additionally, Toy Story 5 and Avatar 3 received announcements, further adding to the excitement.