Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, has been positioned as the successor to Tony Stark / Iron Man, and it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. himself is more than cool with that. After being introduced in 2022’sBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri Williams' spin-off series,Ironheart, is finally arriving on Disney+ this summer to close out Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the delays have left some fans skeptical about the series, the original Avenger that kicked off the MCU has given the series his full support.
Speaking withEmpire,Ironheartstar Dominique Thorne talked about the encouraging advice Robert Downey Jr. gave her. Soon after she finished filmingIronheart, theAvengers: Doomsdaystar showed his support for Thorne as an actress and Ironheart as a character, eager to watch the series. Thorne spoke about how Downey Jr. was supportive of her and how his words were reassuring:
“Robert Downey Jr and I spoke just after we wrapped, and he shared some very lovely words about my journey. He told me how excited he was and that he’s rooting for it, too. I literally got two thumbs up. It’s really reassuring to know you’re not embarrassing Iron Man.”
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Riri Williams was created in 2016 by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato, making her first appearance inInvincible Iron ManVol. 3 #7. In less than a decade, Williams has gained a fanbase, but also received a certain amount of backlash from fans who tend to be critical of people of color taking on roles typically associated with cisgender white heroes.A lot of that same backlash has bled into the MCU, with many resistant to the idea of Ironheart becoming the new Armored Avenger following Tony Stark’s death. Of course, the original Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr., doesn’t have a problem with it.
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Downey Jr. himself has moved on, at least, to a new role in the MCU. After playing the role of Tony Stark / Iron Man for a decade, Downey Jr. is now set to play Doctor Doom inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars.That casting decision has been controversial to say the least, but it has also generated a great deal of excitement for the franchise. Downey Jr. is reportedly getting paid a record amount for his role, but it might be for more than two films.
The Oscar-winning actor has already confirmed that he will reprise his role as Tony Stark / Iron Man for a new attraction at Disney’s California Adventure, which possibly opens the door for him to cameo inIronheart. While Stark might be dead,Ironheartcould do like the comics and have Williams' AI interface modeled after him, allowing Downey Jr. to have a voice appearance.That might explain whyIronheartwas delayed so long, as after Downey Jr. returned to the MCU, he isn’t just playing Doctor Doom but possibly Tony Stark in a few select projects. No matter the case, after her introduction inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri Williams has proven herself an interesting character in her own right, played by a talented performer like Dominique Thorne.
Source:Empire
