Written by Joy Lyn Parohinog Francisco
Recent promotional art for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever shows the best look we have yet of Ironheart. Riri Williams is a genius student at MIT who got to reverse engineer Tony Stark’s tech. She was able to create an Iron Man suit from items she got from the institution. Bringing this character to life is Dominique Thorne.
Universe 616, which we know as the MCU, will give us the first big screen appearance of Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Notably, Marvel Studios has her own Disney Plus series laid out down the line. Thus, we don’t expect Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will feature an origin arc for Ironheart. Instead, they will most likely mention it in conversation. In fact, the 1:11 time mark on the official trailer teases how Riri and Shuri already know each other as well.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Promo Art Reveals More Of Ironheart
New Promo art for #BlackPantherWakandaForever 🚨#savetchalla #MarvelStudios pic.twitter.com/gOkPoNx6n9
— BLERD-JUU-HEARD👾-On YOUTUBE (@BlerdJuuHeard) August 17, 2022
In the comics, Riri Williams created her own suit from items she “found” in the institution. She also took on paid “assignments” from other students to fund her project. Eventually, the school discovered her activities and before they got their hands on her, she flew away. In her escape, she was able to intercept a developing crime. This brought her into Stark Industries’ radar and Tony took her in.
The upcoming movie seems to change this up with Wakanda catching her wind first. Instead of Stark, who presumably remains as Williams’ role model, she works with Princess Shuri in Wakanda.
In the promotional art, she has instruments pieced together that would seem comparable to Tony Stark’s Mark 1 in terms of development. Even though it isn’t a full-armor, people can still distinguish major elements or features that Iron Man inspired. Williams has the boosters that allow her to fly and mechanisms that emulate the offensive features of Iron Man.
Granted the art is bulky, but it’s all the more believable. One already sees how much Williams has done on her own with what is available. And that will surely impress Shuri, let alone Tony Stark.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Promo Art Reveals More Of Ironheart
Image: Marvel Studios
The promotional art of Williams in her own “makeshift” Mark 1 will be her first appearance, I suspect. At least in my point of view, this will feature the moment when Wakanda will send someone to scout her. We do expect that by the end of the movie, she will have a new suit. Perhaps one with vibranium as well.
Considering that Wakanda is a nation of advanced technology, Williams has resources that will be on par with Stark Industries. Some will argue that she will have even better resources. Of course, that is debatable. Besides, whether Stark Industries or Wakanda, Williams will not have any problems having access to both. Because, as far as we have learned, the company and the nation are on the same side right?
We only have to wait until November to finally find out.