Regardless of its so-so premiere episode, in addition to the review-bombing that preceded its premiere, Marvel’s Ironheart collection rapidly ramped as much as grow to be a surprisingly stable addition to the 2025 TV schedule. Particularly for a challenge that was anticipated to drop two years in the past. A part of the lasting hype has revolved across the MCU’s long-awaited introduction of the comedian demon Mephisto and his deal-affirming handshake with Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams within the finale.
At first look, Riri getting into into an settlement with the MCU’s nefarious soul-snatcher looks as if a idiot’s errand for the younger hero, regardless of the evil entity seemingly providing up her biggest need: for Lyric Ross’ Natalie to be alive once more in full-fleshy type. The scarring marks that varieties on her arm within the closing seconds of the finale, mixed with the Chicago teen’s connections to Iron Man and her Physician Doom-esque mixture of know-how and magic, makes it seem like Riri is certainly destined for villainy,
Not so quick, nonetheless, as that widespread assumption sort of ignores a giant Mephisto element from the Ironheart finale that ought to have audiences feeling lower than assured in regards to the tough baddie’s potential to upend the MCU’s upcoming Part 6 films and past. Let’s always remember the time-honored concept that offers with the satan do not go effectively for anybody.
Mephisto’s Deal With Parker Wasn’t Precisely A Raging Success
Ironheart made it appear as if Riri wittingly made a Faustian deal, and probably with out even having to voice her largest needs aloud, only for the prospect of seeing her greatest pal once more exterior of A.I. holograms. However regardless that we’re unclear on the specifics of that bargaining, and are unclear of the way it will repay later, the main points concerned with Parker’s take care of Mephisto have been laid out clear sufficient.
Anthony Ramos’ put-upon antagonist desired energy, wealth and respect, which Mephisto seemingly granted him within the type of his personal magical hood. Nevertheless, ronheart did not precisely begin off with Parker depicted as a preferred billionaire playboy, and regardless of having fun with his gang-leading position as “The Hood,” Parker was consistently struggling. His crew members may need adopted his orders, however their emotions quickly spiraled away from something representing respect because the cloak’s magic twisted his character increasingly.
Plus, as soon as Riri put her thoughts on really stopping Parker as an alternative of following alongside along with his schemes and ploys, her mind and crafty somewhat rapidly liberated him of Mephisto’s hood, making the demon’s guarantees of granting him extra energy negligible. So if Parker got here out of that “deal” with none lasting energy, wealth or respect, why ought to we expect Riri’s deal will go in another way?
Fan Theories Recommend Natalie’s Return May Set Up Tony Stark’s Doomed Resurrection, However I am Iffy About It
Within the closing minutes of Ironheart‘s finale, not counting the credit or mid-credits scene with Parker and Zelma, Riri is seen placing her brainpower to work together with her Ironheart armor within the background, solely with the placing non-focused element of Mephisto’s hood resting on it. That, mixed with the mysterious scars spreading throughout her arm as she hugged Natalie, not solely level to a darkish future for the brainiac, however absolutely introduce a brand new type of magical resurrection into the MCU. (The residents of Westview would have most well-liked that one to what they bought in WandaVision, little question.)
Sure sections of the MCU fandom are eager on the concept Mephisto was by some means behind the drive-by taking pictures that killed Natalie and Riri’s step-father, with an eventual objective of pushing Riri into such a darkish nook that her solely transfer could be to make a fate-sealing deal to carry her BFF again to life. With that precedent set, it is probably Riri or another person may then make a deal for Tony Stark to return, however doubtless with repercussions akin to “The Monkey’s Paw” and Pet Sematary, resulting in Victor Von Doom’s emergence, with the armored and morally tainted RIri at his aspect.
It is a enjoyable idea, do not get me incorrect, and it may very effectively become right. However I do not actually purchase it, since Natalie died years earlier than Mephisto appeared to Riri. Even when Mephisto is a demon with a distinct view of time than people, I feel he’d have methods to get what he wished faster, and with out an in-between like Parker being concerned. Plus, you may’t inform me dozens (and even a whole lot) of others would not have shaken arms with the satan to carry Tony again within the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, so it will be foolish that the in any other case unconnected Riri could be a required piece of that resurrection puzzle.
Ironheart’s Future Is Unknown, However I Do not Assume Riri And Mephisto Are Destined For Avengers: Doomsday At All
Dominique Thorne’s identify wasn’t amongst the handfuls of forged members introduced by way of chair-back for Avengers: Doomsday — nor was Sacha Baron Cohen’s — and neither actor has been formally linked to the in-production sequel, and neither has been on the coronary heart of considerable rumors. To make sure, the total Doomsday forged will little question stay unannounced till the film is in audiences’ faces, so I can enable for Riri and Mephisto’s respective Avengers film debuts as prospects, particularly with none renewal or cancellation information for Ironheart.
In distinction, although, the collection was produced forward of Kevin Feige & Co. shaking up their intentions for interconnections between Disney+ exhibits and theatrical options, and its launch was reconfigured to function the swan track for Part 5. Let’s additionally bear in mind all of the Mephisto-based pleasure thus far has stemmed largely from the streaming TV aspect, with WandaVision and Agatha All Alongside serving up the majority of the hypothesis fodder.
So regardless that Riri Williams was launched as a part of Black Panther 2, and regardless that her tech-heavy abilities are in all probability simpler to finances for a big-screen launch, I feel Ironheart is a hero that works greatest in episodic type, and is extra suited to return in a second season, or in one other collection with a distinct group of heroes than the Avengers. I am fairly certain her tech would go a good distance in serving to Agatha and Billy Maximoff monitor down his brother Tommy, too. Simply saying.
Because it goes, although, I may very well be method off-base right here, and we may see Mephisto main a complete military of Ironheart clones in opposition to Thor, Hawkeye and different heroes. We may additionally see Deadpool take over Professor X’s position main the X-Males, or one thing equally ridiculous, like Marvel’s Blade film lastly getting made. We’ll simply have to attend till Avengers: Doomsday hits the 2026 film schedule on December 16, or till Marvel presents a respectable replace on the Disney+ collection, whichever occurs first.