How 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Sets Up Disney+ 'Ironheart' Series

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is not just focused on the nation of Wakanda and the aftermath of King T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) death, it also introduces several new characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Riri Williams.

Riri is portrayed by Dominique Thorne in the film, and long before the release of the Black Panther sequel it was confirmed that the character would be given her own solo spin-off show, named after her superhero moniker: Ironheart.

Here is how the film sets up the forthcoming show, which was first announced in 2020 and is expected to release in Fall 2023.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

How 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Sets Up Disney+ 'Ironheart' Series

In Wakanda Forever, Riri comes to the attention of the nation of Wakanda when villain Namor tasks them with finding the scientist that was able to find a detector that could find Vibranium anywhere in the world.

Riri's invention put Namor's nation of Talokan at risk and so he is determined to take her out, but when Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Okoye (Danai Gurira) meet the young prodigy at MIT University they decide that they would rather take her back to Wakanda where they can protect her.

This plan goes awry and the Shuri and Riri are kidnapped by the Talokans, though Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) is able to rescue them and bring them home.

A tragic loss makes Riri decide that she wants to fight alongside Wakanda against Namor, and Shuri gives her full use of the nation's labs to make a new Ironheart suit for herself.

Following their fateful battle with Namor and the Talokans, which ends in a truce being made by the two advanced nations, Riri returns to Wakanda where she is told by Shuri she'll have to leave her Ironheart suit there.

Now safe from harm Riri is able to return home to Boston, though Shuri suggests she keep her skills at building advanced technology like the Vibranium detector on the down-low, lest she risk being put in danger again.

Riri promises not to get into too much trouble, and it is likely that the Ironheart series will follow her as she continues her course at MIT, and it'll likely see her make a new suit for herself given she had to leave the last one in Wakanda.

The events of Wakanda Forever link directly to Ironheart. Film producer Nate Moore confirmed the show was "a direct sequel" in an interview withCinemaBlend.

Moore told the publication: "So, the show is a direct sequel to the movie. So, Riri is carrying the experiences she had in this movie back home to MIT and there's some interesting repercussions to her adventures that will set her on a fun course."

How her escapades in Wakanda impact her daily life will no doubt be an interesting journey for Marvel fans to discover in 2023.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is out in theaters now.