Marvel’s Attempts To Turn Ironheart Into Iron Man Could End In Disaster

Key Takeaways

• Ironheart aims to fill the void left by Iron Man but risks copying Tony Stark’s character.
• Marvel plans to tie Ironheart with original Iron Man elements, risking backlash from fans.
• Ironheart must focus on fresh concepts to stand out and integrate with the Young Avengers.

Iron Man’s shadow will always loom large over the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the studio is actively trying to embrace this with the upcoming Disney+ miniseries Ironheart, based on the character of the same name. However, incoming updates on the show suggest that the MCU might be trying a little too hard to make Riri Williams the next Tony Stark – something that will never sit right with the fandom.

Dominique Thorne returns as Ironheart following her first appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which received a lukewarm reception at best. Even in Marvel Comics, the character was introduced only as recently as 2016 with the intent of making her an heir to Iron Man’s legacy. On the surface, her storyline seems perfect for the movies, considering the void left by Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame. But practically, the franchise could be heading toward disappointment from unrealistic expectations.

Is Ironheart Trying Too Hard To Be Iron Man?

Marvel Exec Reveals Ironheart Details

Brad Winderbaum, the Head of Streaming, TV, and Animation at Marvel Studios, dropped some exclusive hints about Ironheart on the Phase Zero podcast. According to the Marvel exec, Riri Williams has a “Tony Stark-like ego,” which often gets her into trouble. The series is also expected to work like a “crime show, in a way Marvel has never done before.” Furthermore, Winderbaum spoke about how Ironheart uses fully practical suits, built using techniques that date back to the first Iron Man film. While these clues sound promising, they also raise concerns in the bigger picture.

Designing a new character with traits influenced by an older icon can greatly benefit a big project. Colin Farrell’s Oz in The Penguin was essentially a great rehash of James Gandolfini’s phenomenal anti-hero from The Sopranos. The HBO-borrows-from-HBO model could work for Marvel too, but the problem here is that this isn’t some indirect influence or homage. Ironheart’s Riri Williams will inevitably draw comparisons and assumptions that she’s the new Tony Stark or Iron Man of this generation.

Tony Stark’s Ego Is A Bad Fit For Riri Williams

Bringing back a trait like Stark’s ego, especially from his early MCU days, is a huge risk. It could translate into unwarranted arrogance and cause public contempt towards a character that deserves more time and presence in the franchise, especially in the long run as part of the Young Avengers ensemble. This risk could also be attributed to a relatively unfamiliar actor taking on the mantle of an evergreen pop culture symbol while breaking gender and racial norms. However, Dominique Thorne could rise to the occasion, turning this pressure on its head with a groundbreaking performance to prove naysayers wrong.

The Iron Man Connection Is Missing

Moreover, the passing of the torch from Iron Man to Ironheart wouldn’t really work since Marvel hadn’t established any significant connections between Tony and Riri in the previous movies. Even for a big name like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, who’s practically Stark’s protégé, many fans still resist seeing him as Iron Man’s successor. Regardless, the makers of Ironheart seem poised to insert Iron Man connections into the storyline. While this aligns with the comics, it may not sit well with longtime Marvel fans.

Marvel Tries To Recreate The Original Iron Man’s Magic

The Disney+ Series Might Reopen Closed Storylines

It seems like Marvel isn’t shying away from directly continuing the Iron Man storyline in Ironheart. An unconfirmed insider report from The Cosmic Circus hints that Alden Ehrenreich is playing Ezekiel Stane, the son of Obadiah Stane – the first Iron Man villain. The series is also rumored to feature a cameo from Happy Hogan, Stark Industries’ Head of Security (and one of Tony’s closest pals). Considering Jon Favreau directed the original film, the Disney+ miniseries could have benefited from his expertise if these reports hold true.

Ironheart Could Make Iron Man Armors Cool Again

And this clearly isn’t Ironheart’s only connection to the first film. As Brad Winderbaum revealed earlier, a fully functional Ironheart suit has been built for the show. This evokes nostalgia for when Iron Man armors like Mark III and Mark VII were hot topics of fan discussions. Bringing back the old-school suits for Ironheart is a solid move, given their arguably cooler aesthetic compared to the nano-tech suits from the Infinity Saga.

Evidently, it’s not all bad news for Marvel’s upcoming Ironheart series. However, factors like trying to make Riri Williams an imitation of Tony Stark or reintroducing elements from the original Iron Man such as Obadiah’s son remain in make-or-break territory. Instead, the show’s creators should focus on fresh, exciting elements “tech vs. magic” pitch teased in the official synopsis. Additionally, Riri’s integration into the Young Avengers could help her establish an identity distinct from Tony Stark’s legacy. Of course, all eyes will be on Ironheart as it officially concludes the MCU’s Phase Five before the franchise heads into the final phase of the Multiverse Saga.