Following the Disney+ debut of Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it has been confirmed that Ironheart actress Dominique Thorne initially auditioned for the role of Shuri in 2018’s acclaimed Black Panther. Her screen test footage has surfaced online, featuring Thorne doing a scene with the late Chadwick Boseman.
In the video, executive producer Nate Moore also opened up about Thorne’s audition, recalling the things that made her stand out including her great presence. Because of this, the 25-year-old actress became their one and only choice for Riri Williams.
Ironheart will be led by Dominique Thorne (If Beale Street Could Talk), who will be taking on the role of Riri Williams. Joining Thorne are Anthony Ramos (In the Heights), Manny Montana (Good Girls), Lyric Ross (This is Us), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Shea Couleé (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Regan Aliyah, GLOW alum Shakira Barrera, Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Sonia Denis, Paul Calderón, and Cree Summer. Circulating casting rumors also suggest that Sacha Baron Cohen may appear as Mephisto on the series.
Riri Williams is described as “a brilliant teenager who, in the comics, built her own version of the Iron Man suit in an MIT dorm.” In the comics, she sometimes takes over for Tony Stark as Iron Man. The character the series is based on was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato, and first debuted in Invincible Iron Man Vol. 2 #7 in 2016.
Ironheart hails from head writer Chinaka Hodge (Snowpiercer). It is being directed by Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes, with Ryan Coogler executive producing through his Proximity banner.
The genius titular hero is set to make her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the long-awaited Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will arrive in theaters later this year.
