‘Had My Reservations’: Dominique Thorne Almost Declined Ironheart Role In Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on Dominique Thorne’s journey, I must say it’s truly inspiring to witness her courage and determination. Coming from Brooklyn and making her way through the Theater District, Thorne had dreams of breaking into films – but not quite this big, this fast!


When Marvel proposed the Ironheart role to Dominique Thorne, she found it “pretty awesome yet overwhelming.” She harbored concerns about being pigeonholed by taking on a part in such a colossal franchise so soon after leaving movie theaters and Broadway. Admittedly, Thorne had apprehensions and reservations due to the immense pressure that the job entailed!

When conversing with Vibe, she disclosed that she held reservations regarding the role. “Of course, receiving a call from Marvel is both humbling and amazing,” she explained. “It’s truly an honor, no doubt about it.” However, she had concerns about how it would impact her career and future, which stemmed from apprehension. “As I look back then, I primarily identified myself as a theater actor,” she continued.

It came out that Thorne hailed from Brooklyn, attended school in the Theater District, and only sparked an interest in movies upon graduating. Although she envisioned herself delving into films later on, when Marvel reached out, she felt it was moving too quickly for her.

As an ardent admirer, let me confess that the apprehension of being forever recognized solely as Ironheart or Riri Williams weighed heavily on me. Deep within, I yearn to achieve so much more. Yet, I also crave the opportunity to do so authentically and genuinely, without constraints. To alleviate this fear, I added that the magnitude of the character I’ve been entrusted with was intimidating.

Ultimately, she agreed to take on the role and attributed her decision to her family, particularly her younger brothers Ky-Mani (15) and Caleb (7), who were thrilled at the prospect. “Weighing up the pros and cons, and understanding how significant this opportunity could be,” she clarified.

Witnessing the enthusiasm of her little brothers as they realized she was Ironheart filled her with an indescribable joy. “There’s no comparison,” she said, “that sense of pride and recognition is absolutely priceless.”

After winning over audiences with her role as Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Thorne’s character expanded significantly, resulting in multiple television shows centered around Ironheart, such as Ironheart, along with an animated series called Eyes of Wakanda.

In December 2020, Marvel formally declared that the Ironheart spin-off show would debut on Disney+ in 2023; however, unexpected issues have caused delays. As of now, there’s no specific release date, but it’s expected to air on Disney+ in 2025.

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2024-08-11 20:22