Can Ryan Coogler Save ‘Ironheart?’

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It’s good to be in the Ryan Coogler business.

Ever since the theater premiere of “Fruitvale Station,” the director’s groundbreaking debut back in 2013, it’s been a thrilling ride for me as a movie enthusiast. Today, that feeling is even more validated with the phenomenal success of his latest masterpiece, the captivating vampire film “Sinners.

The film has earned north of $215 million along with adulation from critics and crowds alike.

Team Disney is leaning on Coogler’s name to boost interest in its newest MCU series.

For quite some time now, the production of “Ironheart” has been underway. This series, an innovative adaptation featuring a female version of the Iron Man character from the franchise, was initially announced back in 2020 and is set to premiere in 2023.

The show finally hits Disney+ next month – June 24.

The reason given for the delay is that the higher-ups at Disney chose to space out Marvel Cinematic Universe releases, allowing each one a bit more time to stand out individually.

Sure, Jan.

The given explanation lacks excitement for viewers, and the uneven quality of recent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions is noticeable. For instance, “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” underperformed at the box office, and “Captain America: Brave New World” failed to reach the success of previous MCU films, but managed to avoid becoming complete flops.

Thunderbolts*,” at the moment, seems to be performing well, but it’s unlikely to reach the box office success of a typical “Spider-Man,” “Thor,” or “Avengers” film.

In the aftermath of “Sinners'” triumph, “Ironheart” seems to have a hidden advantage, as Ryan Coogler, who serves as an executive producer, appears to have a strong emotional connection to the storyline.

The ongoing issue here? The production of “Ironheart” took place in the era when Disney emphasized ‘wokeness’. Many people are now weary of narratives centered around Identity Politics, finding them less engaging compared to traditional, thrilling tales.

Dominique Thorne’s memorable phrase in the trailer, where she portrays Riri Williams (also known as Ironheart), hints at another inspiring female leader character, a type that viewers may have grown weary of in more recent productions. The young, tech-savvy female protagonist has become somewhat overused and predictable.

Ryan Coogler’s involvement in “Ironheart” might persuade hesitant viewers to take a chance on the series. However, if the content seems too dated for a 2020 release rather than 2025, there’s a risk that viewers will quickly lose interest.

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2025-05-14 19:03