What You Need To Remember from the MCU Before ‘Ironheart’

Marvel might not remember it will be releasing Ironheart later this month, but we do. Almost three years after her introduction in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Dominique Thorne will reprise her role as Riri Williams in her own Disney+ solo series. And although the Black Panther sequel has been her only appearance in the MCU, her relevance is not to be downplayed. Executive produced by Ryan Coogler himself, Riri’s story will continue in the show. But her role in Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was crucial to the events that transpired in the film. Here’s what you need to remember from the MCU – and from the real world – before Ironheart’s release.

Without Even Knowing Her, Riri Williams Was Already a Disruptor of the MCU

Namor looks on stoically in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. — Image via Marvel Studios

Upon her introduction to their cinematic universe, Marvel wanted to make one thing clear – Riri Williams is a tech genius of the utmost value. It all starts with Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the ruler of a secret underwater nation called Talokan, making contact with Ramonda (Angela Bassett), the de facto ruler of Wakanda. He claims to have been living in peace with his people, until an American ship found that vibranium lay under his kingdom. Blaming T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) for unraveling the secret of vibranium to the world, Namor demands for Wakanda to find the one responsible for creating the vibranium detector that the US government used to find them.

Enter Riri Williams. After Namor tasks Wakanda to find the scientist that created the vibranium detector, a succession of events is unchained. Firstly, Okoye (Danai Gurira) volunteers to find her, but asks Ramonda for Shuri (Letitia Wright) to come with her. Shuri has been going through a rut after T’Challa’s death, thus Okoye wanting her to go out and touch grass. This leads them to CIA agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) a.k.a. colonizer by Shuri herself. He gives two pieces of useful information: the U.S. government is also on edge because their vibranium-seeking ship was attacked, plus the location of the scientist who created the vibranium detector is none other than MIT.

After Shuri and Riri are taken by Talokan warriors, the partial failure of their mission causes a shift between Ramonda and Okoye, bringing the latter’s demotion as general of the Dora Milaje. Thus, Ramonda seeks out the help of Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), who was already retired following The Blip and T’Challa’s death. Her coming back to action unleashed another set of reactions, but mainly she rescued Shuri and Riri – officially kicking off the confrontation between Talokan and Wakanda. And though Riri wasn’t involved directly in any of this, her influence as the intellect behind the vibranium detector was the biggest part of all this war coming to fruition.

Before ‘Ironheart,’ Riri Williams Was a Key Part of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

So, Riri Williams’ genius caused Wakanda and Talokan’s tensions to rise. But all this was unbeknownst to her. The vibranium detector was a project she made for class – one that her teacher dismissed nonetheless. Riri was clueless on it being used clandestinely by the U.S. government to find the precious metal. When we finally meet Riri, she’s just a regular girl trying to make her way through MIT by putting a price on her knowledge.

Riri being a badass student, not a tenured professor, changes the dynamic completely. Her intellect and her young age have her clicking immediately with Shuri. The latter even questions whether her technological creations are fueled by Stark technology. But it’s all her. Riri is truly gifted, having built her first machine as young as she was three. Her single appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever establishes her as one of the greatest minds of Earth-616.

With T’Challa gone, Riri becomes a sisterly presence for both Shuri and Okoye, as well as an offspring figure for Ramonda. Riri’s significance is ultimately tested when Ramonda has to choose between her life and Riri’s. After Namor retaliates by invading Wakanda, his mortal attack ends when he tries to drown both of them. Ramonda makes the ultimate sacrifice and saves her, allowing Riri to see the light of future days. This is no small feat for, even when every life is worthy, Ramonda knew Riri would be essential for the final fight for Wakanda. Riri turns out to be a leveling of the scales in the war against Talokan. She helps recreate the heart-shaped herb that turns Shuri into the Black Panther. She also aids in creating the mechanism that allows Shuri to overpower Namor, achieving a truce between both of them.

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Iron Man Himself Has Given ‘Ironheart’ His Blessing as a Worthy Successor

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark giving a thumbs up in Iron Man 2. — Image via Marvel Studios

Another key fact to remember is that Jim Rash is reprising his MCU role as none other than the Dean of MIT. In Captain America: Civil War, he annoyed the hell out of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) during his BARF presentation. And while this was a fun nod – as a setback against the man who always got his way – it also serves as a deeper connection to the Iron Man mantle. It highlights the fact that Riri is a worthy successor of Tony Stark.

Off-screen, Downey Jr. has already given his two thumbs up to Thorne. In an interview with Empire, Thorne shared how she spoke to Tony Stark himself, sharing kind words of support after Ironheart finished filming.

“He told me how excited he was and that he’s rooting for it, too. I literally got two thumbs up. It’s really reassuring to know you’re not embarrassing Iron Man.”

So, it’s safe to say Ironheart should be living up to Iron Man’s legacy. Marvel Comics has been adamant on establishing how new characters can bear the mantles of established heroes. All this while translating it to the big screen. When grouping her to Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), or Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Riri is just one more of the bunch. But, given she is the spiritual successor of the superhero who started the MCU 17 years ago, her burden is the heaviest. Riri is now set to face a new challenge all on her own. Whether she’ll prove to be up to the task remains to be seen.

Ironheart premieres on June 24 exclusively on Disney+.