Marvel Studios is making big waves in recent days with early buzz/reactions to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and a brand new trailer for Chloe Zhao‘s “Eternals” finally showing off some of the film’s more visually striking shots, alongside action sequences.
It doesn’t stop there as a new character is expected to make their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe a lot sooner than previously expected.
Reports have started making their way online from Geeks Worldwide that “Ironheart” actress Dominique Thorne (“Judas & The Black Messiah“) would be making her debut as Riri Williams first in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” This has now been confirmed by Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige during an interview to promote “Shang-Chi” on the podcast Phase Zero from Comicbook.com.
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“We’re shooting ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ right now, and the character of Riri Williams, you will meet in ‘Black Panther 2’ first. She started shooting, I think, this week before her ‘Ironheart’ series,” Feige told Phase Zero confirming rumors of Thorne’s involvement with “Black Panther 2.”
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Williams is a young engineering prodigy that is able to build her own Iron Man-esque suit and her introduction in “Black Panther 2” could have a connection to Wakanda’s attempt to push STEM programs as seen at the end of the original film. Becoming a friend of Shuri wouldn’t be that strange either.
The “Ironheart” series recently added Chinaka Hodge (“Snowpiercer“) as head writer after the show was officially announced by Kevin Feige back in December.
We’re still waiting on how Marvel will deal with the death of Chadwick Boseman and the studio is not recasting the T’Challa role. Director Ryan Coogler is shooting the film in Atlanta and the anticipated sequel already has a release date set for July 8, 2022.