Ryan Coogler has revealed that the upcoming Marvel Studios series Ironheart drew significant creative influence from the acclaimed superhero show Smallville, with the goal of crafting a relatable and authentic story for a new generation of viewers. As Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, prepares to headline her own Disney+ series following her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the production team—Coogler, showrunner Chinaka Hodge, and director Angela Barnes—are reimagining the hero’s journey in a way designed to connect with Gen Z and highlight diverse experiences, making the Ryan Coogler Ironheart Smallville inspiration central to the series’ development.
MCU Returns to Character Origins with a Fresh Perspective
Riri Williams, first introduced on-screen as a brilliant inventor and Iron Man successor, returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2025 through her own standalone series, Ironheart. The creative team behind the series—Ryan Coogler as executive producer, Chinaka Hodge as showrunner, and Angela Barnes helming pivotal episodes—sought out narrative blueprints that would resonate with today’s young adults. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan, their approach was detailed as a blend of grounded storytelling and bold, magical elements, mirroring the way young adults navigate transformative years.
Hodge explained that the directive was clear: deliver the perspective of a young, college-aged Black woman navigating a complex world. Barnes, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of portraying Riri as a fully realized individual, whose identity and decisions reflect the varied realities within Black and Brown communities. Their vision is to move beyond one-dimensional portrayals and showcase nuanced heroism that mirrors real life.
“You asking that question is the first time I realized this, but the directive was to give a 20-something, college-age perspective to the show. And when you talked about it going from grounded to magical, that’s what my twenties felt like. I went from very structured, very known decisions to the world being at my fingertips. I think Sam [Bailey] and Angela [Barnes] did a really good job of capturing that tone … It’s all of those emotions. It’s the whole experience of your twenties.” —Chinaka Hodge, Showrunner
“For me, it was about the character. Seeing someone who looks like me, someone I can identify with, front and center in the MCU – but also showing all aspects of her. She’s not all good, she’s not all bad. Black people are not a monolith. I wanted to show the range of Black and Brown people I see in my own friend group, and have that reflected on screen. That’s what I was most excited to see.” —Angela Barnes, Director
“For me, I was really excited to make a show about young adults. These young people coming up now, they’re going to have to save us in a lot of ways. And it’s so rare to get an opportunity to make something that’s for them.
I remember being young – I didn’t have a TV in my room with cable – but I used to mess around with the antenna. I guess it would be considered the CW now, but I used to watch Smallville, and I loved watching that show because I felt like it was a show where the creators were taking being young seriously. You know what I’m saying? It wasn’t done in a dismissive way.
And I think that’s what our filmmakers have done with this show. Obviously we’re adults, but they had a stake in these characters and identified with them. I think they’re still in touch with that version of themselves that would’ve really benefited from a show like this – at that age, at that point where decisions mean so much.
So I actually love that. I love the idea of making a show about a smart, college-age person who’s been through some things and is going back home to confront parts of the community that made them.” —Ryan Coogler, Executive Producer
How Smallville Helped Shape the Creation of Ironheart
Ryan Coogler’s connection to Smallville, which starred Tom Welling as a young Clark Kent, offered a guiding light for the tone and structure of Ironheart. When Smallville premiered in 2001, it broke new ground by treating its hero’s adolescence with seriousness rather than triviality, paving the way for serialized comic book storytelling across television. Coogler reflected on how this DC classic approached coming-of-age themes sincerely, directly influencing how he and his team approach Riri Williams’ journey as a smart, driven college student returning home to face her roots and future.
The resonance with Smallville is apparent in Riri’s transition from a tech-focused, rational world into one that introduces mystery and, at times, supernatural threats through Anthony Ramos’s character, Parker Robbins (The Hood). This shift reflects Riri’s own evolution, both as a superhero and a young woman discovering her place in the world, mirroring what Coogler viewed as Smallville’s honesty and respect for its young protagonist’s choices.
Authenticity and Diversity at the Forefront
The creative team behind Ironheart places a heavy emphasis on telling an authentic story that accurately represents Black and Brown communities, aiming for a depiction that surpasses stereotypes or simplistic characterizations. The commitment to authenticity and multidimensional storytelling sets this new MCU entry apart from past portrayals of underrepresented groups in Hollywood. Angela Barnes highlighted the desire for viewers, especially young Black women, to see themselves reflected in a complex, non-monolithic heroine whose challenges and triumphs feel genuine and resonant.
This philosophy is evident in the collaboration between writers, directors, and cast, all striving to ensure that Riri Williams’ narrative arc captures both the structured world of technology and the unpredictable journey of young adulthood. Coogler, Hodge, and Barnes see Ironheart as an opportunity not just for Marvel to expand its universe, but to deepen its exploration of identity, legacy, and self-discovery.
The Cast and Their Roles in Advancing the Narrative
The cast of Ironheart is led by Dominique Thorne, who reprises her role as Riri Williams, following her impactful debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Thorne’s portrayal positions Riri as Marvel’s newest tech-centric hero—an inventor whose intellect matches her determination. She is joined by Anthony Ramos, who brings Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood, to life. Robbins is a formidable adversary whose mystical powers introduce Riri, and viewers, to an unexpected supernatural angle.
Supporting the central narrative is Lyric Ross, portraying Natalie Washington, and Alden Ehrenreich, taking on the role of Joe McGillicuddy. The supporting characters are crafted to deepen Riri’s story, weaving in themes of friendship, family, and the broader impact of her actions as she steps fully into her hero identity. Each player in the ensemble contributes to the richly layered environment that the creative team envisioned—an environment poised to reflect the realities and fantasies of the modern generation.
Anticipation Builds as Ironheart Prepares for Disney+ Launch
Ironheart’s premiere is a significant event within Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series continues Riri Williams’ journey following her first MCU appearance and explores the aftermath of the events in Wakanda Forever. Throughout the six episodes, viewers will witness Riri confront both technological challenges and mystical threats, reflecting her personal and heroic growth as she navigates new responsibilities at the intersection of two worlds.
From the start, the show’s trailers have teased a dynamic mix of action and emotional depth, raising hopes for an ambitious take on Riri’s story. Audiences will soon be able to judge for themselves—Ironheart’s first three episodes debut on Tuesday, June 24, with the remaining three arriving on July 1, airing at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, exclusively on Disney+.
The Broader Impact: Representation and Storytelling in the MCU
The thoughtful approach taken by Coogler, Hodge, and Barnes signals a turning point for Marvel Studios, marking an increased focus on nuanced representation and grounded storytelling that does not shy away from emotional realities. The heavy influence of Smallville in shaping the tone and maturity of Ironheart aligns with an industry-wide recognition that superheroes thrive when their stories are rooted in authenticity and relatability.
As Ironheart gears up for its release, it stands as a beacon for the ongoing evolution of comic book adaptations—inclusive, thoughtful, and genuinely connected to the audiences it seeks to inspire. Riri Williams’ solo adventure is not only a win for diverse representation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but a model for future creative projects intent on elevating marginalized voices and telling stories that matter to new generations. The Ryan Coogler Ironheart Smallville inspiration is poised to define how Marvel introduces and grows its next wave of heroes.
