Hollywood icon Robert Downey Jr. has stepped up to champion Ironheart star Dominique Thorne, addressing fan backlash with enthusiasm and praise in a candid interview. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been buzzing with controversy over Thorne’s role as Riri Williams, with some fans calling for her removal from the franchise. Downey, the original Iron Man, used the platform to celebrate Thorne’s performance, sparking fresh conversations about her place in the MCU.
The interview, which aired as part of Ironheart’s promotional campaign on Disney+, showcased Downey’s unwavering support for Thorne.
“Dominique Thorne, I have seen all of the first three episodes of Ironheart. I love it. We have so much to discuss,”
Downey said, his excitement clear as he dove into the show’s highlights. He praised the series for its Chicago roots, noting,
“I think this may be the premier character in the MCU that’s from Chicago, and I go, oh my God, how has it taken this long? There’s a nucleus there for her. It’s her community, her home, it’s Chicago.”
Downey’s comments come at a time when Ironheart has faced significant online criticism, with some fans review-bombing the show before its June 24, 2025, premiere on Disney+. The backlash, which saw audience scores drop to 32% on Rotten Tomatoes, has been linked to biases against Thorne as a Black woman, a pattern seen in other MCU projects with diverse leads. Despite this, critics have embraced the series, giving it an 82% approval rating for Thorne’s charismatic portrayal of Riri Williams, a young genius who builds her own Iron Man-style suit.
In the interview, Downey highlighted specific moments that stood out to him, particularly a high-energy sequence in episode two.
“I call it the Shaka Khan tunnel heist, three-hand sequence, which is just great,”
He said, also praising the show’s soundtrack and Chicago vibe.
“It’s Chicago, but I also feel Nate Moore. I feel Ryan. I feel the Black Panther energy in this.”
He went on to marvel at the escalating intensity of episode three, saying,
“I couldn’t believe that after episode two, that episode three actually gets more jazzy and out of control and hectic. You’re doing kind of almost a little bit of cat burglar spy work.”
Thorne, visibly thrilled by Downey’s support, shared her experience filming the intense scenes.
“That was probably one of the most fun scenes to shoot for the top half because it is so high intensity and quick and fast,”
She said. Reflecting on the challenging settings, she added,
“You’re underwater, you’re in tunnels, you’re hiding, you’re sneaking, you’re trying to get information. I think episode three might be my favorite episode.”
The interview wasn’t just a promotional moment; it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch from Downey’s Tony Stark to Thorne’s Riri Williams.
However, some fans speculated that Disney orchestrated Downey’s involvement to bolster Thorne’s image amid the controversy. Others took to X to call Downey’s enthusiasm “zesty,” a term that has fueled online debates about his motives. Despite these claims, no evidence suggests Disney pressured Downey, and his history of supporting younger MCU actors lends credibility to his genuine excitement.
As for Ironheart’s performance, the show has struggled to gain traction with audiences, failing to appear on major viewership charts like Luminate or Nielsen. While critics have lauded Thorne’s performance, the initial review-bombing has left its mark, though audience scores later climbed to 69%. Marvel Studios has yet to confirm a second season, with insiders noting a “wait-and-see” approach as the studio evaluates the show’s impact. Thorne, however, remains optimistic about Riri’s future, hinting at potential appearances in upcoming MCU films like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
“The odds might be in our favor,”
She teased in a recent interview.
With Downey’s heartfelt endorsement and Thorne’s undeniable talent, Ironheart continues to spark debate, proving that Riri Williams is a force to be reckoned with in the MCU.