WARNING: This article includes MAJOR spoilers from Ironheart episode 6.TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas finally debuted one of the most highly-anticipated characters from the comics' canon, and theIronheartteam addresses the introduction. Ever since Phase 4, there has been endless speculation about Marvel Studios seemingly paving the way for one of the most powerful villains to jointhe MCU timeline.
Adding to the speculation, for more than a year, there had been rumors that Mephisto was set to show up inIronheart. Thankfully,Ironheartepisode 6 finally confirmed it, as Sacha Baron Cohen officially made his debut as none other thanMarvel’s Mephisto in the MCU.
In an exclusive interview withScreenRant’sown Ash Crossan, theIronheartcreative team was asked about being the ones to bring Mephisto into the MCU through their show. Showrunner Chinaka Hodge andIronheartepisodes 4-6 director Angela Barnes shared their excitement about finally giving fans one of their biggest requests, as they stated the following:
Chinaka Hodge: I hope fans like it. That’s everything I feel about it because the fans have wanted it for so long, have asked on every avenue. Anytime anyone’s like, “But your show would be tight if this happened!” I’ve had to keep a tight lip. So I really hope that fans like it. And I hope that Mephisto still lives long and prosperously in the MCU because Sacha’s done such a great job with the character.
Angela Barnes: And I think we got really – just in terms of knowing how important it was to the fanbase – it’s like we knew we had to get it right. We had to get the casting, we had to ensure that the right person was going to be in this. Because whatever happens after this, it’s going to be that actor. And the first actor that I could think of that would be the perfect fit for this, just in terms of being snarky but also a little scary, was Sacha Baron Cohen, who is the most delightful, lovely man you’ve ever met. But he just worked so hard, and he was so funny. But just him and his partner Peter, just in terms of trying to make sure that the character was right and that the way that we played him was right. And it just was a pleasure. So for me, I feel excited that I think we stick the landing on it. So I’m very excited to see what the rest of the fanbase thinks.
ScreenRant: Absolutely. That spoon shot, by the way.
Chinaka Hodge: Thank you!
ScreenRant’sAsh Crossan also caught up with Dominique Thorne, who plays Riri Williams aka Ironheart, about how she found out Mephisto would be showing up in her series. For Thorne, who has been with the MCU sinceBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, it was a massive deal for theIronheartseries to get the chance to introduce Mephisto, as she shared the following:
Man, I think it just helped. It just puts yet another battery in the back to find out that Ironheart is going to be the stage for something as long-awaited as that. And I guess it makes sense at this point – how long folks have been waiting to see if anything is ever going to happen with that, how long we’ve been waiting for this series to finally drop since we filmed it. So yeah, it just adds to the excitement and to that wanting to trust that yeah, there really is a good story here, and it really can have beautiful and epic implications for the MCU at large.
What The Ironheart Cast And Creator’s Mephisto Comments Mean
For any follower of the massive Marvel franchise, it’s widely known how Mephisto almost became a meme through various MCU TV shows and movies, as many kept thinking there were clues being dropped about his upcoming arrival. It wasn’t untilAgatha All AlongthatMephisto’s existence in the MCU was confirmed, before his debut inIronheart.
Given the massive and rich history of Mephisto in the Marvel canon,it’s understandable how exciting it must have been for the people makingIronheartto get to pull the trigger on his arrival. With a huge star like Cohen being tapped to bring the villain to life, only time will tell where he will take the character afterIronheart.
Our Take On The Ironheart Cast And Creator’s Mephisto Comments
From Hodge, Barnes, and Thorne’s responses alone,it’s clear that introducing Mephisto throughIronheartwas going to be a massive task that will, hopefully, lead to a positive response from fans who have waited so long to see him in the MCU. The bigger question now, however, is where the MCU will take Mephisto afterIronheartepisode 6.
Given how Riri makes a deal with Mephisto inIronheartepisode 6 to bring back her friend Natalie (as a human, not an AI),only time will tell if there will be any continuation, since season 2 has yet to be confirmed. Hopefully, afterIronheartepisode 6, more clues about Riri and Mephisto’s respective futures in the MCU will be clarified before 2025 is over.
Ironheart
Cast
Ironheart: Following Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ironheart introduces Riri Williams, a prodigious inventor navigating her path back in Chicago. Balancing her inventive prowess in creating iron suits with the enigmatic presence of Parker Robbins, known as The Hood, Riri finds herself at the intersection of technology and magic.
