Screenrant
Exclusive: Ironheart star Dominique Thorne teases how the events of Black Panther 2 change Riri Williams leading into the new MCU series.
Dominique Thorne breaks down how the events of Black Panther 2 have changed Riri Williams' view of the world leading into Ironheart. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces Riri Williams into the MCU as a genius 19-year-old MIT student. Riri is pulled into the conflict between Wakanda and Talokan, which opens her eyes to the full scope of the world she lives in. It makes sense that Riri has been changed after learning about the existence of a hidden underwater kingdom, seeing Wakanda, working with Shuri, and using a technologically advanced armor that she built.
Riri may return to her life at MIT after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but the ripple effects will be felt in the new Ironheart series. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Thorne talked about how the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever change Riri Williams in Ironheart. She explains how Riri has no choice but to face the larger worlds around her after returning to MIT.
I think that up until that point, and as it's hinted in the show, she's moving through MIT. She's got her own little side business going, making a deal over there until she has a reason to look up quite literally and see these larger worlds that are in front of her that she now has no choice but to face. I think that sort of confrontation of nothing but her own brilliance and her own genius is a very exciting thing in itself. I think that, if folks were intrigued enough by that, they might find satisfaction over at the series next year too."
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever seems to be a turning point in Riri's story forcing her to really see the world beyond her own and how her own actions, ambition, and brilliance can impact it. Riri's growth and maturity by the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sets up a new understanding and arc for the young hero in Ironheart. By introducing Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the MCU has opened the door to Riri exploring the more magical corners of the MCU.
