Warning! This text accommodates SPOILERS for Ironheart season 1, episodes 1-3.Ironheart‘s first three episodes are out, they usually finish with fairly just a few game-changing reveals and moments for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Riri Williams confirmed quite a lot of promise when she debuted in Black Panther: Wakanda Endlessly. Now, because the star of one in all Marvel’s Disney+ series, Dominique Thorne faucets into that to carry again Iron Man’s MCU substitute.
The primary batch of episodes from the MCU collection takes a bit time to discover Riri’s world. Her previous begins to be delved into, whereas her current places the MCU hero in a legal group. With Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU quickly as Physician Doom, it’s fascinating that Marvel would connect Tony Stark’s legacy to crime earlier than then.
Ironheart‘s solid of characters won’t embody Iron Man, nevertheless it does characteristic a personality that’s related to his legacy, and it’s not Riri. That participant is concerned in one of many huge reveals of the present’s first three episodes. Ironheart utterly adjustments the sport with callbacks to the MCU’s past and a controversial choice from the hero.
Marvel Simply Launched Obadiah Stane’s Son To The MCU
The Franchise Makes use of Its Lengthy Historical past To Its Benefit
2008’s Iron Man paved the way in which for the MCU as we all know it. Whereas the character was by no means a giant a part of the MCU since his debut, Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane made franchise historical past as the primary primary villain of the MCU. The character donned an iron go well with to develop into his Iron Monger persona from Marvel Comics and combat Stark.

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Obadiah Stane died within the main explosion of the large-scale arc reactor. In Ironheart, it’s revealed that, to the surface world, Stane by no means turned to the darkish facet. The character was believed to have handed away in a aircraft crash, so his fame and legacy are intact. That reveal is available in Ironheart episode 3 by Alden Ehrenreich’s Joe McGillicuddy.
The surprising twist comes when Riri drops a bag of ashes, that are labeled “Obadiah S.”
The MCU present teased in episode 2 that there was extra to Joe than meets the attention. Episode 3 would verify that with the reveal that “Joe” was a faux title, with Ehrenreich’s Marvel character being Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane, Obadiah’s son. The surprising twist comes when Riri drops a bag of ashes, that are labeled “Obadiah S.” That makes it clear.
To have black market connections, Joe must me greater than the unusual man he introduced himself as. The character additionally talked about that he dabbled in off-the-books know-how as a result of it made him really feel near his father, whom he didn’t have a fantastic relationship with. Obadiah Stane’s son is now within the MCU.
What Zeke Stane Means For The Legacy Of Iron Man In The MCU
The Character Has A Very Totally different Mentality In contrast To His Father
Zeke Stane’s MCU debut in Ironheart is large for Iron Man’s legacy. Whereas Downey shouldn’t be anticipated to return again as Tony Stark to the MCU, Marvel retains discovering new methods to faucet into its first franchise. At one level, Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane was supposed to survive in Iron Man. Nevertheless, the studio determined to vary these early plans.
In a manner, Stane lives on now within the MCU by his son. Nevertheless, Zeke and Obadiah are two very completely different individuals. In Ironheart episode 3, Alden Ehrenreich’s character makes it very clear that he doesn’t wish to be like his father. Zeke’s aim with know-how shouldn’t be weaponry, however to assist individuals, displaying he is an effective man.
With Zeke commenting on how bionics are a lot greater than weaponry and protection, he may hold Tony Stark’s legacy going. In spite of everything, Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man went from a weapons producer to one in all Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. It could be fascinating for Marvel to make use of the son of Iron Man’s first MCU villain to additional Stark’s mission.
Nevertheless, Zeke Stane’s contribution to Iron Man’s legacy may go a distinct manner. Zeke let Riri use his bio-mesh along with her phrase that it will not be traced again to him. Nevertheless, because the Heirlum heist went sideways, she dropped the bio-mesh and forgot it. If compelled to reply for her crimes, Zeke may flip to villainy, like Obadiah.
Riri Williams Kills Cousin John – And Her Betrayal Is Revealed To The Hood
The MCU’s Iron Man Alternative Killing Somebody Was Sudden
Ironheart episode 3’s ending featured a surprising second that was even greater than the Ezekiel Stane reveal. Whereas some heroes have killed earlier than within the MCU, the way in which the Marvel collection depicts Riri Williams making such a alternative was relatively bleak. Certain, Ironheart is a darker collection regardless of moments of levity, nevertheless it nonetheless felt like a tonal change.
Riri was combating for her life towards the Hood’s cousin, John, at Heirlum. With the 2 characters operating out of air because the doorways began to lock on account of safety measures, Ironheart‘s primary character entered a fight-or-flight state. As an alternative of saving John from sure demise, which she simply may have, Riri entered her iron go well with and flew away.
In her first solo venture, Ironheart left somebody to die in order that she could possibly be secure. If John had lived, he would have instructed Anthony Ramos’ The Hood that Riri turned on them. John caught her with a bit of Parker Robbins’ hood. As such, he needed to go. Nonetheless, letting him suffocate to demise was darkish for a younger hero.
The worst a part of Riri’s alternative is that it was all for nothing. Ironheart episode 3 ended with the Hood asking his supernatural grasp why his cousin needed to die. After Parker was proven what gave the impression to be John’s final moments, a shadow took over the display, towering over the MCU villain.
Actor |
Function In Ironheart |
---|---|
Dominique Thorne |
Riri Williams |
Anthony Ramos |
Parker Robbins/The Hood |
Lyric Ross |
Natalie Washington |
Manny Montana |
Cousin John |
Alden Ehrenreich |
Zeke Stane |
Whereas it could possibly be interpreted because the debut of a brand new Marvel villain, with just a few names theorized by followers over the previous 12 months, it was a personality already on the present. The shadow on the finish of Ironheart episode 3 is none apart from Riri’s, because the silhouette of the Ironheart armor might be seen when the form totally kinds.
Based mostly on that, it’s confirmed that the Hood’s supernatural boss has revealed to him that Riri killed his cousin. John was Parker’s rock, and with out him, the villain ought to unleash his full rage. Sadly, Riri ought to be on the receiving facet of it in Ironheart‘s ultimate three episodes.
What’s Going On With NATALIE?
Riri’s AI Greatest Buddy Is Behaving Weirdly
NATALIE is one in all Ironheart‘s most fascinating characters. The true Natalie was Riri’s greatest pal and Xavier’s sister. She died alongside Riri’s stepfather once they had been hit by stray bullets. Nevertheless, the brand new NATALIE AI appears to know so much about her and behave like she did. All through Ironheart‘s first three episodes, Riri and NATALIE’s relationship developed significantly.
By the top, there’s a query of simply how a lot of the actual Natalie is contained in the AI. When Riri has a panic assault, NATALIE glitches. Nevertheless, after Riri leaves John to die, she has one other panic assault. This time, NATALIE doesn’t glitch. As such, it stays to be seen how a lot she is tethered to Riri’s mind in Ironheart.

- Launch Date
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June 24, 2025
- Community
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Disney+
- Administrators
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Angela Barnes, Sam Bailey
- Writers
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Chinaka Hodge
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Dominique Thorne
Riri Williams / Ironheart
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Lyric Ross
Natalie Washington