Robert Downey Jr. has played the role of Iron Man in the MCU for so long that it would be more accurate to say he inhabited the role of Tony Stark. and so much so that his name and Iron Man have become synonymous. Starting with 2008 Iron Man, which marked the beginning and birth of the MCU, he influenced the events of the universe with his unique intellect and uncommon creativity. Towards the end of Avengers: Endgame, we bid farewell to the superhero that has been the foundation of Marvel Studios’ success.
After his death, many tried to uphold the legacy of the charismatic billionaire and actor who played Tony Stark, and now we have a clear winner among them.
With the introduction of Riri Williams as Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we see the future in Dominique Thorne, and so Robert Downey Jr. gave him a message to take that Iron Man legacy to even greater heights.
Robert Downey Jr. has a message for Dominique Thorne
For more than a decade at this point, Robert Downey Jr. helmed the role of genius, playboy and philanthropist Tony Stark. For years, he’d worked behind the scenes to bring the Avengers back together in the MCU, and he’s been the one to take on any foe that threatened to lay even a finger on planet Earth. But after his heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame and with Peter Parker’s existence erased from everyone’s mind, it was a daunting question of who would be Iron Man’s successor.
You Might Also Like: ‘It’s Both A Nod To Tony Stark, But It’s Also His Own Thing’: MCU VP Reveals How Robert Downey Jr. Influenced Ironheart In Black Panther 2, Claims It’s Not Sleek Like Tony Stark
But finally, we have the answer to this question. In the recent Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we were introduced to Riri Williams, who donned the never-before-seen Iron Man armor and arrived to aid the Wakandans as Ironheart. As soon as fans saw Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams in the film, they immediately knew she was the one to carry the torch passed on by Iron Man. In an interview, she revealed that RDJ gave the advice that helped shape the character of Riri Williams, namely:
“He had some nice words to say about how much he believes Riri Williams is and should always be his own person, his own thing.”
This advice was the thing that helped Thorne portray Riri Williams in such a way that she would show familiar traits to Stark, but at the same time be a completely different person who was inspired by the great Iron Man and shape her Ironheart to look like the icon of heroism.
You Might Also Like: ‘She’s Out Of Her Element’: Riri Williams Actress Dominique Thorne Says Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Showed Only A Fraction Of Her Genius
What’s next for Ironheart?
After his short but solid debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we were convinced that it is here to stay. With confirmation that Stone heart will be Marvel Studios’ next series on its Disney+ OTT platform, fans can’t wait to see Riri Williams continue Tony Stark’s legacy. As for the details, it was said that the series will follow the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and show how Williams is adjusting to his newfound confidence as Iron Man’s successor.
You Might Also Like: ‘This Will Put Riri Williams On A Fun Journey’: Marvel Boss Confirms Ironheart Will Be A Sequel To Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Stone heart, coming to Disney+ in late 2023
Source: Giant Scary Robot
