Ryan Coogler Explains The “Energy” Of ‘Ironheart’ Marvel Series

The official trailer for Marvel Television’s Ironheart has arrived. Starring Dominique Thorne, reprising her role as Riri in the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the series is executive produced by acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler.

“This show has an energy to it,” Coogler described to Marvel. “I think people will take to that scrappy optimism and that desire to persevere.”

“Riri is definitely in conversation with a street-level show like Daredevil,” Coogler continued to tease. “You’ve got characters trying — both heroes and villains — to make do with what they have. Then you combine that with cosmic Marvel, characters who would be at home in Doctor Strange or WandaVision. That [mix] of street-level Marvel and magical Marvel is a pretty crazy combination.”

According to Marvel, the series is set after the events of Wakanda Forever. Ironheart follows Riri as she returns to her hometown of Chicago, determined to build a state-of-the-art iron suit and make her mark on the world. After spending time in Wakanda, she has left more eager than ever to pursue her dreams, and her quest entangles her in a dangerous world of science and magic.

“That comes from publishing,” Coogler explains. “It was very quickly realized that she was her own character in her own lane. There’s a difference between [Riri] and maybe a Captain America or a Black Panther, where a mantle is being passed. This is a character who was obviously influenced by Tony Stark and inspired by him, but she is also very different and doing her own thing.”

He continued, “It’s this young woman who has this chip on her shoulder and this armored exterior, but inside, she’s just full of love. If that’s not Chicago, I don’t know what is.”

(L-R) Dominique Thorne and Ryan Coogler at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 09, 2024.

Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Disney

Marvel Television’s Ironheart is set to premiere the first three 3-episodes on June 24 at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET, only on Disney+.

“We’ve been waiting so long to bring this to the world, and it’s coming at the perfect time,” Coogler boasted. “I’m so proud of everybody in this show and excited for folks to get to see it.”

Watch the trailer for the Ironheart series above.