Marvel: Ironheart and the Fantastic Four coming to the MCU in shock announcement

The Disney Investor Day unveiled a load of upcoming content including two new projects; a Disney+ series for Ironheart and finally the additional of Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four.

Is the MCU finally getting both Riri Williams as Ironheart and the Fantastic Four? Yes, it is but it in two different formats that will eventually push them both into the heart (no pun intended) of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney’s Investor Day presentation gave us a load of intel to chew on and the addition of Iron Man’s (potential) successor and the first family of Marvel comics has only made us want to jump for utter joy.

We know it’s only been a year since we lost Tony Stark, but who is going to be the smart-mouth tech genius now? Riri Williams is going to likely replace Iron Man in that role to a degree but she may only take over the technological component. This would allow her to join other geniuses in the MCU including Princess Shuri, Peter Parker, and Bruce Banner.

With the introduction of Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four, this would allow for more scientific and space adventures to collide. The film will be directed by Jon Watts, who is best known for being the staple director for the Spider-Man films which star Tom Holland. So far, there is no information outside of the overall film and director announcement. Like with Ironheart, fans have been speculating on a Fantastic Four film for a while.

Who is Riri Williams’ Ironheart and who will play her?

Riri Williams is a relatively new character to Marvel comics having made her debut in 2016. She idolises Tony Stark and becomes his protégé similar to how Peter Parker serves as the student/honorary son in the MCU. What was surprising was when the announcement was made that there was an Ironheart series being made during the Marvel portion of the Disney Investor Day presentation, there was already a casting attached to the role of Riri.

Dominque Thorne will take on the role of the tech genius who may even give the late Tony Stark a run for his money. She is a relatively new face in Hollywood with only two casing credits to her name outside of Ironheart, according to her IMDb page.

Marvel’s first family Fantastic Four may have been in the MCU all along

The inclusion of the Fantastic Four has never been a secret hidden from MCU fans. Marvel Studios was just looking for the right time introduce them, much like Ironheart.

At San Diego Comic Con in 2019, the superhero group which has long been dubbed Marvel’s first family, was referenced in passing but nothing came from it until the 2020 Disney Investors Day where Marvel Studios head, Kevin Feige officially announced the film and that director Jon Watts would be taking on the challenge since he’s already known for directing soon-to-be three Spider-Man films.

However, Watts might’ve let the cat out of the bag without anyone realising. Fans have been quick to notice since the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019 that there might’ve small clues that point to a Fantastic Four film.

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Both clues show up at the end of the film. when Peter swings past the old Avengers Tower, it is under construction after it was sold in Spider-Man: Homecoming (more on that in a moment). Now, there’s been two possibilities bought up. The first is that the previous Avenger Tower will be transformed into the Baxter building, which is typically the headquarters of the Fantastic Four. The second possibility is the building will become Oscorp, the company owned by Norman Osborn aka The Green Goblin.

The second clue is when Peter passes the construction site and a banner on the fence that reads “We can’t wait to show you want comes next! 1, 2, 3, ?” The question mark could mean a couple of things. The first is an easter egg that points to the Fantastic Four and potential confirmation that the building will become the Baxter building.

Now, remember when we mentioned the sale of Avengers Tower? Well, back in 2017’s Spider-Man Homecoming, Happy reveals to Peter via a phone call that Tony sold Avengers tower. However, this was never elaborated upon further. It’s possible that it was sold to whoever owned the Baxter building.

The next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks more exciting than ever! Express your excitement for Ironheart and Fantastic Four below!