Movies

‘Ironheart’s’ Riri Williams is unapologetic. Head writer Chinaka Hodge is too

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For Chinaka Hodge, it’s important that Riri Williams is unapologetic.

The headwriter and executive producer of “Ironheart” explains they aimed to give the main character a similar self-assured attitude like Tony Stark, the young engineering genius and tech mogul who’s also a member of the Avengers, but with a touch of humility as well.

On a recent Zoom conversation, Hodge expressed, “I desired her to be unafraid or ashamed of her intelligence.” He also added, “I hoped she’d be unafraid or ashamed of the companions she kept – those individuals would reflect and embody the America where we live.

She emphasized the significance of creating a character who wasn’t simply a superhero wearing a skirt, but rather one with genuine complexity, substance, and struggles and fears that resonate deeply.

Movies

In the upcoming movie ‘Wakanda Forever,’ the character known as Ironheart, originally called Williams, will be making her first appearance on screen, portrayed by Dominique Thorne. Here’s some interesting information about this young prodigy.

Currently streaming on Disney+, “Ironheart” introduces us to Riri (played by Dominique Thorne), a 19-year old MIT student who was first seen in the 2022 film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” After returning to her hometown of Chicago, she embarks on an exciting new journey.

Following her transportation to Wakanda for a crucial mission, Riri is more motivated than ever to design her own advanced, Iron Man-esque suit to establish her own legacy. However, unlike Tony Stark or the Wakandans, Riri doesn’t have unlimited funds at her disposal, causing her to make some debatable choices in her pursuit of the technology.

In simpler terms, Hodge explains that Riri, though admiring Tony Stark greatly, doesn’t follow the same path. Since Riri lacks a clear guide or blueprint for her journey, much like Hodge himself, it’s a challenging task to empower her ideas without compromising on morals and resources. This is the main focus of the series.

Among the majority of characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Riri is relatively fresh, having been introduced to comic books only recently in a 2016 issue of “Invincible Iron Man.” Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato are the ones who created this 15-year-old tech prodigy. Apart from Tony Stark, she has interacted with personalities like Pepper Potts (Rescue), Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), and Miles Morales (Spider-Man).

As a self-proclaimed Marvel enthusiast, Hodge recounts that Riri first caught his attention due to her friendship with poet and academic Eve Ewing, who penned the initial “Ironheart” comic book series.

The first time I met Riri was when Eve walked out of a poetry gathering and mentioned she had to rush home because she was working on some exciting projects,” Hodge recalled. “Being a fan of characters who resemble me, I was immediately intrigued by Riri, as she shares a similar appearance with me, so I couldn’t help but pay closer attention.

In getting to know the character better, I found a strong resonance with her portrayal of neurodiversity, as someone on the autism spectrum myself. “One of the most profound aspects of Riri,” I remark, “is that she mirrors me and my mother, as well as other women who embrace their intellectual strengths.

Fans familiar with Ironheart from the comics might notice similarities between Riri’s personality and background, which are based on her comic book counterpart. However, Hodge emphasizes that they didn’t have to stick to those exact storylines when it came to who Riri interacts with on the show, regardless of the series timeline or dimension. As for Hodge himself, he had to familiarize himself with the various forms of magic within the Marvel universe and navigate potential plot detours because certain ideas fell under another character’s jurisdiction.

In the series, the character Riri is portrayed as a bit older than her comic book counterpart, who is already renowned for her genius at such a young age. Moreover, this version of Riri tends to exhibit more antiheroic traits, as she possesses the ability to swing between heroic and villainous actions depending on the decisions she makes.

Television

In the initial ‘Ironheart’ trailer, Riri Williams brushes off skeptics as she boldly expresses her ambition to construct something truly legendary or iconic.

As a movie enthusiast myself, I can’t help but express my admiration for Dominique Thorne, who portrayed Riri in “Ironheart.” Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes, the directors of the series, echo my sentiments.

Sam Bailey, having directed the first three episodes, was struck by the soulfulness Thorne brought to the character. On the other hand, Angela Barnes, who handled Episodes 4 through 6, appreciates Thorne’s ability to be fully present for her co-actors during filming.

The Cornell-educated actor was praised as a genius by Hodge, our director. He shared that he aimed to elevate Riri’s dialogue to match Thorne’s intellect, rather than the other way around, demonstrating the high regard we all had for her performance and intelligence.

Bailey mentions it was thrilling to establish a setting where she could express herself freely, feeling secure in the process,” or simply, “Bailey found it exhilarating to set up an environment that allowed her to perform comfortably.

In “Ironheart”, Chicago takes center stage for the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it was crucial for the show’s creators to accurately portray the city. Hodge, who hails from Oakland, acknowledges that she might not have personal experience as an outsider, but she understands how Riri feels about her hometown and wanted to handle the city with care and respect.

In my personal opinion, Chicago holds a special place for me – much like how I believe Rihanna feels about Oakland. It’s not just our hometown; it’s a rich legacy that we carry with pride. Being from there adds a unique depth to our stories when we make something positive out of our lives.

In the “Ironheart” production, there was a widespread sense of hometown pride felt by both the cast and crew members. As stated by Hodge, the objective was to incorporate as many artists and musicians from Chicago, ranging from local bucket drummers to performers like Shea Couleé, in order to authentically portray the city’s atmosphere. Among those deeply connected to the city is Bailey, a native of Chicago, and Hodge acknowledges the director for playing a crucial role in bringing their vision to fruition.

Bailey remarks, “Chicago seems to carry a subtle pride, as if it’s always ready to prove itself. We’re cautious about who we let in and fiercely guard our city and its people. I wanted to convey a sense of defiance… and the diverse array of individuals that call this city home, which isn’t often portrayed on screen.

In the role as the initial phase’s director, Bailey aimed to weave the characters’ pasts and introduce the vivid personalities presented in the early episodes, laying a solid foundation for the exciting journey ahead.

According to Bailey, it was crucial that the characters seemed genuinely human, were likable, and were ones we’d want to support.

In Riri’s circle are individuals she has a past with such as her mother Ronnie (Anji White), her confidant Xavier (Matthew Elam) and the youngest entrepreneur in the neighborhood, Landon (Harper Anthony). However, Riri eventually gets acquainted with a new group headed by Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), who some may liken to Robin Hood or a freedom fighter, at least at first.

Aware of potential plot reveals, Barnes hints that the latter part of the series will see Riri grappling with repercussions stemming from decisions she made in previous installments.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself in a situation where I’ve chosen to associate with individuals who might not exactly be paragons of virtue. They each have their own motivations, but somehow, I’ve found myself entangled more deeply than I had anticipated.

As an avowed Marvel Cinematic Universe enthusiast, Barnes underscores the deliberate nature of the show’s elements, from its elaborate set pieces to decor, even going as far as explaining how Riri’s suit’s heads-up display design was influenced by infographics found in W.E.B. Du Bois’ works. However, he also reminisces about the enjoyable moments they experienced during filming, such as overturning a truck and constructing a White Castle within a parking lot.

For Hodge, “Ironheart” represents one of her most prominent ventures so far in her career. Having dabbled in poetry and playwriting, she decided to explore screenwriting as a means to move beyond first-person storytelling. In 2010, she enrolled at the University of Southern California’s graduate film school, where she crossed paths with future industry heavyweights such as Ryan Coogler, executive producer of “Ironheart,” and Steven Caple Jr., director of “Creed II.” Impressed by Coogler, Hodge often sought his attention on campus, asking him to hire her. Eventually, he did.

One aspect Hodge found particularly thrilling during the series development was delving into broader topics such as access, self-determination, and security through unique scenarios. These scenarios aimed to highlight how a young girl from Chicago’s South Side might be judged differently than Tony Stark for possessing a tech suit of weapons-grade caliber, due primarily to their physical appearances. Additionally, she was eager to ensure the show accurately represented the diversity found in our world by featuring a diverse cast.

Essentially, Hodge states that the audience will recognize themselves when they tune in, as he’s pleased that the Marvel Cinematic Universe now seems like a world populated by those who engage with literature and cinema.

Speaking as a supporter, I’m genuinely enthused for the young Black girl who recognizes herself in this series while watching, and for the queer child who discovers it for their Pride Month activities. It brings me immense joy to imagine them embracing the show.

Likewise, my heart swells for that Black boy who longs for a Riri Williams action figure, only to find one in the store. I can visualize him soaring it around his own home, embodying the character’s spirit.

My emotions are a mix of excitement, apprehension, and sheer thrill, much like how Riri must feel when she glides over the Chicago skyline. I’m excited because this story resonates deeply with me, and I believe it will inspire many others too.

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2025-06-26 13:34

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