Ironheart Reveals The True Identity Of Alden Ehrenreich’s Marvel Character (And It’s A Shocker)

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Contains spoilers for “Ironheart” Episode 3 — “We in Danger, Girl”

As I, Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), step into a black market tech deal with Joe McGillicuddy (Alden Ehrenreich) in “Ironheart” Episode 2, “Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?”, I can’t help but remark that his name seems a bit too unrealistic. Fans must have felt the same way when Ehrenreich was cast on Marvel’s new Disney+ series, as Joe McGillicuddy isn’t any character from the comics. However, in the following episode, “We in Danger, Girl,” we get to know his real identity — and it turns out he’s none other than Ezekiel Stane, the son of Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) from the first “Iron Man” movie.

It’s surprising, even though rumors had been circulating since January 2024 about Ehrenreich portraying Ezekiel, it still came as quite a shock. Known for his superpowers in the comics, Ezekiel first appeared in Marvel’s “The Order” #8, written by Matt Fraction and Barry Kitson in 2008. Here, we discover that Zeke harbors a deep-seated hatred for Tony Stark (a feeling instilled by his father) and later sells weapons he’s developed to terrorists. He also modifies his own body with biotechnology, transforming himself into a genuine human cyborg.

In Zeke’s case, advanced cybernetic enhancements provide him with enhanced physical power, protective force shields, and an array of weapons, all conveniently located on his fingertips. It seems that the live-action portrayal of Ezekiel shares this fascination for bionics, as Episode 3 hints at him initiating experiments to incorporate technology within his own physique.

Ironheart ties back into the ending of Iron Man

Riri finds it surprising to discover her underworld associate is actually the son of Obadiah Stane, yet not due to the common assumptions. She recalls that Obadiah perished in a plane crash, hinting at the ending of “Iron Man,” where it’s suggested that Obadiah’s destructive actions as the Iron Monger would be concealed and his demise blamed on a staged aircraft accident. It seems that tale has persisted: even after many years, the majority still views Obadiah as a basically good man who met an unfortunate end in a tragic plane crash.

In simpler terms, Zeke discloses the hidden fact that Obadiah attempted to murder Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), intending to take over Stark Industries. Furthermore, he expresses his lack of interest towards his father, his family lineage, and the legacy they represent. Interestingly, Zeke leaves Obadiah’s remains in a Ziploc bag on his kitchen counter instead of giving him a proper burial. At this point, it has been nearly 20 years since Obadiah passed away, but Zeke continues to show no concern about properly storing his ashes in an urn.

Ezekiel’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been anticipated for quite some time, given that an early version of “The Avengers” script depicted him working alongside Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston) as a villain. Now that he’s arrived, there remains a possibility that a hint of Obadiah may linger within Zeke. The third episode of “Ironheart” concludes with Riri leaving incriminating evidence at a crime scene which could potentially lead to Zeke betraying her in future episodes.

Here’s a more casual and engaging way of presenting the same information: “Ready to dive into ‘Ironheart’? The first three episodes are streaming now on Disney+! Don’t forget to mark your calendars, because episodes 4 through 6 will be released on July 1st.

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2025-06-25 05:00