Ironheart update reports that Alden Ehrenreich, star of Solo: A Star Wars Story, joins Dominique Thorne as cast of the Disney Plus series. An exclusive from Deadline states Ehrenreich has just signed on for a key role in the series.
The upcoming series in Disney Plus features Thorne as Riri Williams. The character is a genius teenage inventor who got to create a technologically advanced suit akin to Ironman Tony Stark’s. Where Stark got to create his Mark 1 in a cave with “a bunch of scraps”, Williams made hers in her own dorm using “stolen items from around campus”.
Solo Star Alden Ehrenreich Joins MCU Ironheart Cast
Image: Marvel Comics Group
Brian Michael Bendis created the character with Mike Deodato’s design. Riri Williams first appeared in Invincible Iron Man Vol. 2 #7. In the comics, she is 15 years old. As a genius, she is already an engineering student in Chicago attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology under a scholarship.
The exclusive from Deadline did not state the role Alden Ehrenreich will play. However, the Star Wars Solo actor has the project already listed in his IMDb actor credits. Under Ironheart which is indicated as “filming”, his character’s name appears as Riri Williams. This identifies him as Thorne’s character’s biological father. In the comics, Riri Williams Sr. (Ehrenreich) dies after his daughter was born. Her mother raised her and she grew up with a stepfather. At the age of five, Riri already manifested genius level intelligence. From then on, she pursued to study, explore and create technological advancements while being fascinated with Stark.
Solo Star Alden Ehrenreich Joins MCU Ironheart Cast
Image: Marvel Comics Group
While there is yet an official announcement from Marvel Studios, it’s highly plausible for Ehrenreich to be taking on the father’s role. Although, the character won’t be too active throughout the series, he may be a recurring role for flashbacks. Perhaps Riri Williams Sr. has some form of connection to a major plotline for Ironheart.
MCU’s Ironheart Riri Williams will appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever November 11 this year. Her image is already teased in Black Panther Merchandise sporting what appears to be her own Mark 1. The suit seems chunky and it does appear as though Riri just pieced together what are available. Riri will showcase her genius through this very suit. How she captures the Stark Industries’ attention will all reveal itself in due time.
