By Kathia Woods | Special to The OBSERVER
In Ironheart, the latest Marvel series now streaming on Disney+, executive producer Ryan Coogler and creator/writer Chinaka Hodge breathe new life into the superhero genre through the story of Riri Williams, a brilliant young inventor who builds her own Iron Man suit. Played by Dominique Thorne, Riri returns to her hometown of Chicago after her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, caught between the high-tech world she’s touched and the realities of where she comes from.
In an exclusive sit-down, Hodge shared how the character’s personal conflicts mirror her own upbringing. Her mother, an engineer, served as a major influence in shaping Riri’s complex identity.
Coogler, who joined the project to support the women at its helm, emphasized the importance of building a world where Riri’s story feels authentic, rooted in community, while also reaching beyond it.
Ironheart blends tech, vulnerability, and identity in a fresh take on superhero storytelling.