- calendar_today September 1, 2025
First Look: Ironheart Brings Riri Williams Back to the MCU
It’s been a great year so far for Ryan Coogler. On the heels of a record-breaking opening for his latest movie, Sinners, the producer and director’s slate is already filling up once more. The first-look film and series development deal he recently signed with Disney includes a gig helming the MCU show Ironheart. Marvel just released the sleek, action-packed trailer above.
Ironheart is set to premiere in June 2025 as part of Marvel’s new limited series slate. The six-episode show, which is part of the MCU’s Phase Five, follows the adventures of Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams. Known by her superhero alias Ironheart, the teenage tech wiz from the comics is Tony Stark’s protégé.
Marvel’s first look at Ironheart at D23 last summer was far more somber in tone than what’s being shown in the new trailer. Described by Marvel as “a crime show with an Iron Man twist at the center,” footage from the new crime drama series dropped at the 2024 D23 convention, promising a darker MCU series.
In addition to showcasing the show’s more procedural crime show roots, this look at Ironheart also introduced new characters and confirmed the return of Marvel veteran Jim Rash. In the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rash played the MIT dean, reprising the same role he took on for 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Sacha Baron Cohen has also been confirmed to star in the series, but it’s still unclear which character he will be playing.
Riri Williams was first introduced to audiences in the blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In the sequel to 2018’s Black Panther, she made her MCU debut and soon found herself in a war with Namor and his blue-skinned army. She had previously developed a vibranium detector while studying at MIT, and was able to connect with Shuri during the film thanks to their shared interest in science. During the conflict with Namor, Riri was able to use Shuri’s notes to build an armored suit like that of Iron Man’s to protect Wakanda. With the battle won, she was forced to leave the suit behind with the Wakandans before returning to MIT.
Inherently Risky and Genuinely Iconic
Set shortly after the events of Wakanda Forever, the story for Ironheart will pick up Riri once more. As per the official synopsis, “Set after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ironheart pits technology against magic when Riri—determined to make her mark on the world—returns to her hometown of Chicago. Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins, aka “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos).”
The rest of the cast for Ironheart includes Lyric Ross as Riri’s best friend, Natalie Washington; Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy; Manny Montana as Cousin John; Matthew Elam as Xavier Washington; and Anji White as Riri’s mother, Ronnie. They’re joined by Shea Couleé as Slug. Marvel veteran Jim Rash will reprise his role as the dean of MIT, after he played the same character in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Sacha Baron Cohen is also confirmed for a role, though his character has not yet been revealed by Marvel.
The new trailer released last night opens with Riri trapped in a closed pizza restaurant. A poison-filled elevator has cut her off from the rest of the world, and she has only two minutes to figure out how to escape. What the vengeful caller doesn’t realize is that this is a test Riri has set up, or as he calls it, an “interview” for a mysterious job with himself: The Hood. After some back and forth with the intercom system, The Hood reveals that she will suffocate to death if she doesn’t pry open the gas mask inside the floor unit. Riri isn’t interested in playing his little games and uses her ingenuity to escape the restaurant.
Impressed by her resourcefulness, The Hood offers Riri the chance to be part of his little entrepreneurial shenanigans. She could help make it “iconic,” he says. The Hood is likely breaking some laws to make a living, but his offer is enticing to Riri, who has finally created something of her own to be proud of. She finally cedes to his offer, but her friends are less than impressed. She’s not the only one to sound the alarm, as it later becomes clear that The Hood is hinting about the questionable things he and Riri will have to do to succeed.
The six-episode MCU series, Ironheart, will debut its first three episodes on Disney+ on June 24, 2025, with new episodes dropping weekly after that. There is no official word on a second season, but Marvel may order more Ironheart if the show performs well. In the meantime, fans can check out the new trailer and a new featurette, which shows more of the action behind the scenes.
