Tue May 13 17:00:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Robert Downey Jr. Passes the Torch: Gives Dominique Thorne His Blessing as Ironheart**
**LOS ANGELES, CA -** In a heartwarming moment for Marvel fans, Robert Downey Jr., the iconic portrayer of Iron Man, has officially endorsed Dominique Thorne as she takes on the mantle of Ironheart in her upcoming Disney+ series. Thorne, who plays genius inventor Riri Williams, revealed that Downey reached out to her personally after filming wrapped, offering his support and excitement for the series.
“He told me how excited he was and that he’s rooting for it, too. I literally got two thumbs up,” Thorne told Empire magazine, expressing her relief at receiving the blessing of the original Iron Man.
The Disney+ series, “Ironheart,” set to premiere on June 24, 2025, will follow Riri Williams as she navigates the world with her unique, homemade Iron Man suits. While she shares the “genius in powered armor” concept with Tony Stark, Riri’s more humble, “dumpster-diving” origins will bring a fresh perspective to the role.
“Ironheart pits technology against magic when Riri Williams – a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world – returns to her hometown of Chicago,” according to the show’s official synopsis.
Riri’s journey will not be without conflict, as she faces a villainous street-level criminal known as The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos, who gains mystical powers. The series will explore the clash between technology and magic, a dynamic largely unexplored in the MCU to date. There are also rumours that Sacha Baron Cohen will appear as “Mystery Man” – potentially the long-awaited villain Mephisto.
Marvel Studios’ head of television Brad Winderbaum has confirmed they’re taking inspiration from the earliest days of the MCU. The production team even built “a traje completamente real” (completely real suit) for use on set, employing “techniques that go back to the first Iron Man movie, where we even had a practical suit on set.”
Furthermore, rumors suggest that Thorne’s Ironheart will play a significant role in the MCU’s future, with potential appearances in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” films, which also see Downey Jr. make a return as the villainous Doctor Doom.
With Downey Jr.’s blessing and a compelling narrative blending technology and magic, “Ironheart” promises to be an exciting new chapter for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Don’t miss the premiere on Disney+ on June 24, 2025.
First Piper 