Riri Williams’ Solo Journey Begins in Marvel’s Ironheart

Ryan Coogler is having a good year. With Sinners just released and already becoming a box office hit, the filmmaker has another, even bigger success on the horizon. Marvel has just released the first trailer for Coogler’s next project, the limited series Ironheart, which is set to premiere next June 2025.

A six-episode entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, a.k.a. Ironheart—a teenage tech genius who first appeared in the comics as the protégé of Tony Stark. The series will be the final TV installment in Phase Five of the MCU.

Ironheart was originally announced in December 2020, with a planned premiere for 2023. However, Marvel later announced an overhaul of its long-term content plans. In a bid to combat concerns of market oversaturation, the studio would reduce the volume of new material each year. The premiere of Ironheart was subsequently delayed until this summer. Footage from the 2024 D23 convention revealed the series to be “a crime show with an Iron Man twist at the center,” suggesting a grittier and more realistic take than many MCU shows.

A Balancing Act Between Tech and Sorcery

Ironheart, however, picks up directly from where Wakanda Forever left off. In the official synopsis, Marvel states, “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).”

A number of other actors have been announced for the series. Lyric Ross will star 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. Other cast members include Shea Couleé as Slug. The series also marks a return to the MCU for Jim Rash as the dean of MIT, a role he last played in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Sacha Baron Cohen also stars, though no information has been released on his character.

In the new trailer, we see Riri trapped in an elevator filled with poison gas and only two minutes to escape. It becomes clear that this is a test—or, as the person behind it calls it, an “interview”—arranged by The Hood. On the intercom, he tells her that she will die if she does not unlock the case mounted to the floor with the gas mask stored inside. Instead of complying, Riri ignores his threats and figures out a clever way to break out.

The Hood, however, is impressed. He invites her to help with a project of his, a vague request for her help that is not going to be in the best interests of the law. Riri has no hesitation in accepting his offer; she’s already proved that she can do something “iconic.” There are mixed reactions to her decision, though, especially from her friends like Natalie, who are immediately more suspicious of The Hood and the “questionable” things he is willing to do to get things done. The warning could hold water, too, when The Hood himself tells Riri, “Anyone who has ever accomplished anything iconic in life has had to do some questionable things to get it done.”

In other words, it will be fascinating to see just how far Riri is willing to bend her morals to do what she feels is right. And just how much collateral damage she’ll cause in the process.

Marvel has confirmed that the first three episodes of Ironheart will be available on Disney+ on June 24, 2025, with the rest of the series following every week. There has been no announcement of a second season, but the possibility has not been ruled out. For now, fans can watch the trailer and a behind-the-scenes featurette.