‘Ironheart’ Star Dominique Thorne Didn’t Know About Mephisto’s Official MCU Entry Until Filming

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[This story contains spoilers from the Ironheart season one finale.]

Following the release of #IronheartRewatch invitations and with some viewers still finishing the six-episode Disney+ series, there’s a lot of curiosity about what’s next for Dominique Thorne‘s character Riri Williams in her Ironheart journey.

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As fans are wrapping up their viewing of the six-episode #IronheartRewatch on Disney+ and discussions continue, there is much anticipation regarding what comes next for Dominique Thorne’s character Riri Williams in her Ironheart adventure.

After being expelled from MIT and moving back to Chicago, Riri’s journey has been marked by intense feelings. She discovers that achieving greatness requires substantial financial resources, which she didn’t have. This revelation pushes her towards a risky alliance with Anthony Ramos’ character, Parker Robbins, or The Hood, who contacts her through his intermediary John (Manny Montana). Riri eventually becomes part of their gang of outlaws – hacker Slug (Shea Couleé), pyrotechnics expert Clown (Sonia Denis), and enforcers Jeri (Zoe Terakes) and the Blood Siblings, Roz (Shakira Barrera).

The series is deeply marked by grief right from the start. The loss of her stepfather Gary and her best friend Natalie due to gun violence leaves Riri struggling to express her feelings. Her connection with Natalie’s brother Xavier, or Xay, can be seen as a form of emotional bonding that keeps them apart romantically, but also provides comfort.

Thorne explains to The Hollywood Reporter that the sadness, emptiness, and burden of this loss is something only they truly grasp, given their deep bond with her. This loss might even strengthen their relationship more than it was previously.

Engaging with my AI counterpart, AI Natalie – portrayed by Lyric Ross – who serves as a digital replica of my dearest friend, compels me, Riri, to confront my sorrow in a more open and public manner than the private, empathetic exchanges I share with Xay. This is especially noteworthy considering the series’ high-octane action scenes. The fact that creator Chinaka Hodge and her team skillfully interweave these deep, emotional moments amidst all the action is nothing short of remarkable.

Each character serves a unique function. Ronnie, Riri’s mother portrayed by Anjali White, is filled with worry yet turns out to be the catalyst for magical elements that significantly impact the series later on. The friendship between Ronnie and Madeline (Cree Summer) fosters a bond between Riri and Madeline’s daughter Zelma (Regan Aliyah). As Zelma is still honing her skills, she assists Riri by scrutinizing the stolen fragment of Parker’s hood. This interaction between Zelma and Riri has already sparked excitement among Marvel Cinematic Universe fans about the Strange Academy finally receiving substantial screen time, as evidenced by the anticipation during the end credits.

Even so, it’s Riri’s unyielding pursuit for answers, particularly concerning the fate of Rampage (Eric André) and the origin of Parker’s powers, which sparks the hostility in Parker towards her. Upon discovering her with a fragment of the hood, John is killed by her. Since John was the only one who loved Parker without reservation, Riri finds herself in danger. Instead of offering aid, Parker sets out to systematically destroy her. However, the creation of Ezekial Stane, whom Riri knew as Joe (Alden Ehrenreich), a habitual pushover, momentarily halts this attack by allowing Riri to survive and deceiving Parker into believing he had killed her. Such complex relationships are beyond the capabilities of any suit to safeguard Riri from.

For the first time, viewers encountered Thorne as Ironheart/Riri Williams in the movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in 2022. Production of the series, with Ryan Coogler, the mastermind behind Black Panther, serving as executive producer, didn’t start much after that. Reflecting on this gap, Thorne shares with THR that it has been beneficial for her. “I filmed this three years ago, so I’ve had ample time to appreciate the process, cherish it, and also distance myself from it.”

I’ve been genuinely thrilled by the enthusiasm of the fans, who’ve eagerly joined me on this journey. The unexpected arrival of Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto in the finale has left MCU enthusiasts buzzing with excitement! It’s simply astounding to witness the depth of the MCU fanbase’s commitment and connection to the narrative, and how it intertwines with the broader universe. I must admit, I’m absolutely floored by the love and support these fans have shown for the series.

In keeping with the mood, Thorne discussed various aspects of Mephisto, revealing key plot points about The Hood and Zelma, and her ideas for a potential season two. However, it’s important to note that no series has been officially approved yet. She emphasizes that the decision lies in the hands of the viewers.

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Let’s talk about Mephisto. When did you know he would show up in Ironheart?

He didn’t appear until we began filming, surprisingly. By then, we had reached the final part of our shooting process, so it was more like wrapping up. Throughout the entire shoot, we used pseudonyms instead of real names. We spent a lot of time discussing Dormammu and primarily focusing on him, but it wasn’t until we were preparing to film the scene with Sasha Baron Cohen that I realized who he was.

Do you think you would have been more nervous had you known earlier?

I don’t believe that was all there was to it. In fact, I suspect the tight-lipped nature of Marvel Studios played a significant role in the changes made to the characters. With countless people involved on set, I can understand why they would want to keep things under wraps to prevent any potential leaks. Some members of my cast even told me they didn’t know what characters they were auditioning for, as their scripts featured fake names and plotlines. So, it’s not surprising that changes occurred during the casting process.

So then, for you, what does Mephisto represent to you and to Marvel fans?

There’s been a great deal of eagerness among fans regarding the appearance of Mephisto, as many had speculated he might show up earlier in different storylines, particularly in “WandaVision.” The fascination with this character spans from both the shows and movies, with various hints and Easter eggs scattered throughout. This enthusiasm for Mephisto is primarily rooted in the comic books. When the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) acknowledges and caters to fan interests in such a way, it creates a lot of excitement. Fans were hoping and expecting Mephisto to appear sooner, so his introduction in “Ironheart” has sparked a great deal of anticipation.

Is it true that Riri transfers her soul in order to resurrect Natalie? If so, what terms or conditions, if any, does she agree to with Mephisto?

We hope we’ll address your excellent question in season two or a movie, but I can’t predict the future at this point. However, it’s clear that Riri’s character has faced and will continue to face significant grief throughout the series, including in ‘Wakanda Forever.’ This young supergenius is grappling with making the right choices amidst numerous possibilities. Despite her efforts to do what’s morally correct, the intensity of her grief seems to prevail, revealing the human side of her character.

While many social media platforms seem to agree on the sequence of events, I find it challenging to confirm it beyond doubt.

It’s more engaging and fitting with the MCU style to keep things uncertain until they’re explicitly explained.

Given that it’s challenging enough to comprehend the appearance of AI Natalie, how could we possibly revive the actual Natalie instead?

Upon being expelled from MIT, Riri makes a hasty exit with what she considers rightfully hers – the fruits of her time and finances, including an innovative brain scanning technology she deems both experimental and risky. Desperate for alternatives and unwilling to start over completely, she decides to take a chance with this technology. She undergoes a scan herself, and it transpires that a significant portion of her mental space is consumed by this loss. Previously, distractions at MIT or Wakanda had helped fill some of the void in her time and energy. However, returning home reveals that as soon as she enters Chicago airspace, her heart rate rises, causing her suit’s technology to question her well-being and wonder what could be troubling her.

It’s not entirely unexpected given the circumstances. With her return home and connecting her mind to a computer, it seems those factors triggered the surfacing of her deepest thoughts – the grief over losing her father and her best friend. Essentially, this is manifested as AI Natalie, an expression of her subconscious grappling with these emotions despite Riri’s attempts to suppress that part of her mind and concentrate on other matters.

This AI doesn’t behave as expected, veering more towards the emotional side of Riri, almost like a blend of human emotions. What makes the show fascinating for me is that it reveals the true Natalie at the end. It’s an unusual amalgamation of technology and magic, something we haven’t encountered before. For the first time, I’m curious about an iron suit empowered by magic and eager to discover its mysterious abilities and maximum potential.

In my opinion, one of the aspects Riri will learn from is the reality about magic’s capabilities and the burden or price associated with it. The show’s slogan, “every dream has a cost,” reflects this idea well. While Riri is familiar with the costs related to technology, magic is an entirely different realm. Thus, the potential repercussions of reviving Natalie, assuming she is indeed the real one, will open up a new dimension of lessons for Riri as she navigates the world of magic.

In the special realm we’re discussing, let’s delve into the quartet of Zelma, Madeline, and the duo of Riri and Ronnie. While Madeline, Zelma’s mom, doesn’t interact with Riri’s mom, Ronnie, in a shared context, there’s an intriguing synergy between Zelma and Riri that ignites enthusiasm. This is due to the fact that these two extraordinary young women possess unique talents, if you catch my drift.

It’s completely understandable. It’s clear that Riri’s mother yearns to be involved in her life in a significant way, sensing the stress Riri is experiencing. Madeline picks up on this, and as soon as Riri enters, she begins offering advice and pulling out crystals. There are subtle similarities between Madeline and Zelma, and Riri and her mother; they are both women who’ve made choices to safeguard their daughters, only for their daughters to create entirely new realms with the available resources. I believe this is why Riri reaches out to Zelma personally, as she can identify with that drive to demonstrate one’s abilities and prove oneself.

In Zelma’s introduction, we learn that she regrets her mother leaving Kamar-Taj, as she wonders about the magic she could have learned and developed if her mother had stayed. Her mother wisely notes, “Well, my leaving made you create your own magic.” This sentiment resonates with Riri, as both characters have had to forge their own paths. Consequently, it’s only natural that they decide to explore something together, which their mothers explicitly warned them against, and are found in White Castle, delving into this forbidden subject matter.

In the post-credits scene, Zelma’s innate curiosity and eagerness to hone her skills reemerges as she engages in conversation with Parker, unaware that he is the individual whose hood she had previously scrutinized. Yet, her fascination with the prospect of delving deeper into magic is palpable. I believe this pairing, with all its potential pitfalls, could be ideal for mapping out this intriguing intersection between sorcery and technology.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been pondering about Parker, also known as The Hood. I can’t help but wonder about Riri’s connection with him. By the end of the series, it seems that she doesn’t wish to maintain an adversarial relationship with him.

In many aspects, he embodies what she’s been telling herself since the beginning. She initially expresses her desire not to be insignificant. She believes she can outshine him, Stark, and others collectively. All she needs is an opportunity and the necessary resources. Her mind is brimming with ambition, but life throws her a curveball when she’s expelled from school. Shortly after returning home, this man appears, asking questions like “Why aren’t you achieving great things?”, “Why aren’t you financially prosperous as you should be?”, “Why don’t you have this?” and “Why don’t you have that?”

He symbolizes her long-held beliefs from the outset. She openly discusses her aspiration to avoid insignificance, confident that she can surpass him, Iron Man, and others in their league with the right resources and a chance. However, life takes an unexpected turn when she gets expelled from school. Not long after, this man appears, challenging her with questions about her lack of success and wealth.

He’s reflecting his image to her for the first time, offering a deal she finds somewhat appealing. Despite insisting she’s not like him and isn’t a crook, she’s drawn to him because he embodies what she believes she deserves. His charisma and charm help sell this dream, but eventually, Riri recognizes that his ambition is fueled by a darkness she doesn’t fully comprehend. This realization spurs her to set boundaries, as she becomes increasingly concerned about his well-being. She wants him to keep striving for the dream, reminding him that he’s more than what the hood represents. However, she’s yet to grasp the power and control that magic has over him; perhaps she’ll learn this eventually.

What is her relationship with Ezekiel Stane? Why does he save her life?

She recognized him when he went by the name Joe, and they met quite early on. It seems she developed a certain fondness towards this peculiar individual who was leading an entirely different life compared to hers, miles apart in every sense. And indeed, she empathized with him deeply. We observe her motivating him to assert himself due to witnessing his neighbor’s mistreatment of him. He began discussing the bullying he faced at work, which stirred sympathy within her. It was Riri who prompted him to engage more with technology.

Certainly, he wrestles internally with the implications of being Obadiah Stane’s son, but in that critical instant, I believe there was a sense of camaraderie and respect between these two engineers that they had nurtured. In this life-or-death plea, he taps into that tender emotion and makes the decision to spare her. It’s unclear if it’s inherent in his character to take a life, so perhaps it’s a blend of his compassionate side and the bond they’ve forged, colliding with their shared exasperation over finding themselves in this predicament. In this moment, Ezekiel seems to embrace the softer aspects of himself and elects to let her live.

What might a second season look like for you?

It appears there are numerous possibilities here. Most importantly, we need clarification about the events in the last few minutes of the show. Is that truly Natalie? Did Riri perform that action? Was it a deal with the man immediately following his actions towards Parker? How does she believe she can outwit him more effectively than Parker did? I have to admit, her suspicions seem valid. Indeed, she may very well be correct. She seems to have an advantage in terms of staying one step ahead.

I believe an intriguing aspect for a potential second season would be exploring how Riri, despite her genius intellect, struggles with magic as it’s not something she excels at or fully comprehends. This scenario could present a unique challenge, perhaps even humbling her, given its distinct nature that taps into different aspects of one’s being. It would also be engaging to witness how Riri navigates this unfamiliar terrain, possibly encountering or collaborating with other magical characters who might be drawn into her world due to this crossover.

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All six episodes of Ironheart are currently streaming on Disney+.

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2025-07-11 19:55