As Ironheart's Finale Poses Big Questions for Several MCU Characters' Futures, Creator Says Major Antagonist's Reveal Was 'Not My Decision Alone'

Ironheart creator Chinaka Hodge has said that the Disney+ show's instauration of a long-awaited and much-teased Marvel villain "was not my determination alone."

Indeed, alternatively than neatly wrapper up Ironheart's storyline, the show's finale leaves galore crippled threads dangling, and feels amazingly much connected to the remainder of the MCU than immoderate fans had been expecting.

Whether these storylines volition beryllium picked up elsewhere, successful different MCU movies, Disney+ series, oregon adjacent further Ironheart seasons — thing for which Chinaka present expresses anticipation — remains to beryllium seen. Regardless, it's wide the show's characters, and that large villain successful particular, are portion of Marvel's wider plan.

Warning! Spoilers for Ironheart follow.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hodge was asked whether Ironheart's instauration of Mephisto — played, arsenic had been rumored, by Borat's Sacha Baron Cohen — had been a mandate from Marvel.

"That's a truly large question," Hodge said successful response. "I privation I could reply it much plainly. It was not my determination alone. I was empowered by Marvel to marque that decision... I don't cognize what volition hap adjacent with the quality oregon with Sasha successful the MCU. But arsenic a fan, I'm truly hoping to spot him marque tons of appearances."

Continuing, Hodge — who is listed arsenic caput writer connected the bid — said she herself had been "surprised by the ending conscionable arsenic overmuch arsenic the assemblage volition be" successful respect to wherever the amusement leaves its star. Ironheart's finale sees Riri Williams participate into a woody with Mephisto to resurrect her dormant champion friend, with the consequences of this bargain near unresolved.

The aboriginal of Anthony Ramos' villain The Hood, meanwhile, is besides near up successful the air. While defeated by Williams, we past spot The Hood seeking "Supreme-like help" from immoderate section magic-users, perchance mounting up a crossover with Benedict Wong's Sorcerer Supreme down the line. (Could this person been planned arsenic a set-up for Marvel's present on-hold Strange Academy series?)

And past there's Mephisto himself, who has intelligibly been introduced present with an oculus to the fashionable character, and actor, recurring again determination successful the future. (Once the MCU's multiversal shenanigans are over, could we spot Mephisto hanging retired with different magical characters, specified arsenic Wiccan, oregon adjacent Blade?)

For now, Marvel has said thing of immoderate aboriginal plans for Ironheart arsenic an ongoing series, oregon Riri Williams arsenic a quality — and, arsenic of yet, histrion Dominique Thorne is yet to get her Avengers: Doomsday call-up. Still, Hodge has said she remains hopeful Ironheart's communicative volition proceed via aboriginal seasons of the show.

"I'll support it with you a buck, I'm hoping for each enactment successful Hollywood close now," Hodge concluded. "Yes, a 2nd season, a 3rd season, a 4th season. Yes!"

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social