Iron Man established the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we recognize it today, with the brilliant Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) as its centerpiece. After Tony’s death in Avengers: Endgame, fans have been waiting for a new Iron Man to fill the void he left. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces spectators to his actual successor, Riri Williams, a brilliant MIT student who creates her personal armor based on the Iron Man suits. Her debut is notable since she would later appear in her very own standalone Disney+ series, Iron-heart, based on the same-named comic books.

Considering Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame, plenty of fans are incredibly interested in how Riri’s journey will tie to the late Invincible Avenger—even without the involvement of Robert Downey Jr.’s legendary Iron Man. Riri had no specific relationship to Stark in Wakanda Forever other than the fact that she went to his former institution, M.I.T.

The A.I. Theory

Iron Man first featured AI technology in 2008 with J.A.R.V.I.S. Tony used two separate A.I. programs, J.A.R.V.I.S. and F.R.I.D.A.Y. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker’s Spider-Man costume features a built-in A.I. named K.A.R.E.N. Following that, in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter inherits Tony’s E.D.I.T.H. eyewear.

Shuri has her very own A.I. technology that she uses in her Wakandan labs. Shuri employs Griot to assist her in carrying out her research. Riri also engages GRIOT while being in Wakanda to assist her develop an enhanced vibranium armor. We may expect Riri to design her personal A.I. platform when she returns to MIT in her standalone Ironheart series. In the comics, an A.I. counterpart of Tony Stark accompanies her in building her own armor as she inherits the identity of Ironheart.

Fans theorise that the E.D.I.T.H. glasses were not given to Peter until sometime after Tony Stark’s demise, which would not have been feasible if no one but Stark had access to E.D.I.T.H. If a virtual Tony Stark is hovering around, still attempting to transmit a suit of armor around the world, he may approach Riri if he discovers that an M.I.T. student has adopted the mantle.

AI appears to be the most realistic route for Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback as Tony Stark. Tony Stark would make a fantastic replacement for Riri’s Wakandan A.I. as her fresh in-armor companion since she no longer has one to help her out.

The Next Iron Man

Thorne shared what RDJ advised her throughout their conversation. “Riri Williams is and should always be her own person,” he told her. This kind of support suggests that Downey Jr. will not appear in Ironheart, effectively exiting from his position as Iron Man. Furthermore, Lyric Ross has just been cast as Riri’s closest buddy, Natalie Washington; her friend subsequently goes on to be one of Riri’s A.I. programs, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in the comics.

Ironheart will premiere on Disney+ in the fall of 2023.