"I'm not getting got by an invisible gunslinger with magic bullets."
Previously released footage reveals that when Riri Williams returns from her 'Wakandan internship,' she'll be recruited by The Hood to join his crew of miscreants for a series of high-stakes burglaries.
That's not exactly the heroic origin story for Riri that most would anticipate, but it seems she eventually gets her head on straight and decides to oppose the demon-powered villain as seen in the latest released footage.
The Hood was a fairly prominent Marvel Comics villain a few years back during the Dark Reign storyline as a member of Norman Osborn's Cabal- a villainous version of the Illuminati. However, the character has faded from the spotlight in recent years.
Perhaps a compelling perfomance by Anthony Ramos (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Twisters) can see the character return to prominence?
Set in the aftermath of Wakanda Forever, Ironheart picks up with Riri Williams charting her own path. Leaving MIT behind, the young genius returns to Chicago to build on her Iron Man-inspired tech — but this time, on her own terms.
Determined to push the boundaries of innovation without institutional interference, Riri throws herself into developing her next-generation armor. However, her journey quickly veers off course when she finds herself at the intersection of science and sorcery.
Her greatest challenge comes in the form of Parker Robbins, better known as The Hood (portrayed by Ramos), a formidable antagonist whose magical cloak grants him supernatural abilities, and a dark agenda that puts him squarely in Riri’s path.
Ironheart is set for a three-episode Disney+ premiere on June 24. It will consist of six episodes total.
The series is debuting during a period when Disney and Marvel are actively tightening their budgets for Disney+ original programming, aiming to present a more balanced financial outlook to investors and rein in streaming-related expenses.
Recently, Brad Winderbaum, Head of Streaming, Television and Animation at Marvel Studios, stated that moving forward, most shows won't receive a second season or star A-list actors/Marvel heroes.
Despite facing a (perceived) uphill climb due to numerous factors, Ironheart may still surprise audiences. The footage released so far has been impressive, sparking optimism that if the series resonates with viewers, it could potentially influence Marvel Studios’ future direction and shake up their current strategy.