Dominique Thorne wants Marvel fans to get on the “Ironheart Bandwagon” — and she says Robert Downey Jr. is already riding shotgun. But is that enough to sell a series few were asking for?
With Ironheart still on the horizon and hype running low, Marvel is leaning heavily on borrowed nostalgia to convince audiences that Riri Williams is the rightful heir to Tony Stark’s legacy. But longtime fans aren’t convinced — and Thorne’s latest remarks might be adding fuel to the skepticism.
Thorne Invokes Robert Downey Jr as a Stamp of Approval for Ironheart
When asked about comparisons between Riri Williams and Iron Man, Dominique Thorne confidently told fans to get on board.
Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams in Marvel Studios‘ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Photo by Eli Adé. ©://thedirect.com/article/ironheart-avengers-doomsday-secret-wars-dominique-thorne”>she said. “It’s here. We’re here… I mean, Tony’s on the bandwagon, so you know, what’s the problem? RDJ is here. It’s nice here. It’s cute here. It’s comfy here. It smells good here.”
That reference to Robert Downey Jr. comes from a brief encounter the two shared, which Thorne previously described as “exciting” and involving a literal double thumbs-up. It’s an anecdote that’s now being treated by Marvel as a symbolic torch-passing despite no narrative connection between Iron Man and Ironheart in the MCU itself.
The “Spiritual Link” Is Pure Marketing
Marvel has gone out of its way to frame Riri and Tony Stark as spiritually connected. But in reality, the two never shared screen time, dialogue, or even acknowledgment. Tony Stark died in Avengers: Endgame. Riri Williams was introduced years later in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, in a subplot many viewers saw as a Disney+ backdoor pilot.
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Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Iron Man (2008), Marvel Entertainment
Trying to position this as a continuation of Iron Man’s legacy feels less like storytelling and more like checklist branding. It’s not earned — it’s engineered.
Stark’s Grit Erased to Elevate Ironheart?
Thorne has previously framed Riri’s resourcefulness as superior to Tony Stark’s privilege.
“She’s dumpster-diving, whereas Tony Stark [was] this bajillionaire,” she said, placing her character above the beloved Marvel icon. “What she’s able to accomplish is remarkable.”
Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Marvel Studios
But fans quickly pointed out that Stark’s origin wasn’t about luxury. He built his first suit while being held captive, using junk parts to survive, not to show off. His arc (pun intended) was about redemption and sacrifice, not just wealth. The repeated downplaying of that story — to make Ironheart seem more “authentic” — is starting to wear thin.
A Legacy That Was Never Earned
The MCU used to build its icons across multiple films. Tony Stark earned his spot through hardship, loss, and evolution. Riri Williams was thrust into a supporting role and now headlines a Phase Five finale with no buildup.
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Studios
That might be why Marvel is leaning so hard into Robert Downey Jr references when promoting Ironheart. Without any real connective tissue, they’re hoping that a passing compliment from the original Iron Man actor is enough to validate the new suit-wearing genius.
Trailer Backlash Tells a Different Story
If fans are supposed to be leaping onto the Ironheart “bandwagon,” someone forgot to tell YouTube.
The dislike ratio for the official Ironheart trailer as of June 12, 2025 – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
The show’s official trailer, released a month ago on Marvel’s main channel, currently has over 500,000 dislikes compared to just 216,000 likes—a brutal ratio that’s hard to ignore. And the trend didn’t improve with time.
The dislike ratio for the second Ironheart trailer as of June 12, 2025 – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
The most recent trailer, uploaded just two days ago, is already being ratioed, with 44,000 dislikes to 40,000 likes as of this writing.
The numbers paint a clear picture: general audiences aren’t feeling the hype. And no amount of borrowed legacy or nostalgic name-dropping seems to be shifting that trajectory.
Riri Williams in Ironheart – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
For a series being touted as the “spiritual successor” to Iron Man, this kind of reception doesn’t exactly scream confidence. Instead, it suggests viewers see through the marketing and aren’t buying what Marvel’s selling—no matter how many times they say “RDJ.”
Will the Bandwagon Ride Off a Cliff?
Ironheart will debut later this month on Disney+, facing off against dark-magic villain Parker Robbins (a.k.a. The Hood). But despite Marvel’s attempts to frame it as a climactic series, interest remains low. Trailers are absent, buzz is minimal, and the fanbase remains skeptical.
The Hood in Marvel’s Ironheart – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
This isn’t the first time Marvel has tried to prop up new heroes by invoking and hijacking the legacy of older ones. But it’s becoming more transparent and more tired with each attempt. Legacy isn’t something that can be handed off with a nod and a smile. It has to be earned.
And for now, many fans are staying off the bandwagon.
How do you feel about Marvel invoking Robert Downey Jr while promoting Ironheart? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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Notice that she didn’t say anything about the show being good.
How could she?
RDJ doesn’t gaf. He has his hundreds of millions, if anything he was just trying to cheer up a cast and crew who are getting demolished on the internet because the conductors of the train are full speed ahead and getting ready to jump the track.
Though he has a vested interest in Doomsday, that movie will have enough distance from the one-two punch of ass from Ironheart and F4 that the remember-berries will overcome the stench from all the stuff produced under Fiege’s direct “creative” oversight.
Hopefully, the Russo Bros. can tap into a good storyline again, but these TV shows and the D+ series aren’t doing them any favors.
Iiiiiiii aaaaaam iiiiiironheart. Hahahahahaha.