Ironheart's Introduction In Wakanda Forever Foreshadows The Final Fight
Contains spoilers for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) is the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, set to reach new heights as Ironheart in her own Disney+ series. In "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," Shuri (Letitia Wright) first welcomes her into the world of Wakanda, but the journey this new tech wiz goes on to get there is not without its perils. However, her encounter with the royal princess and General Okoye (Danai Gurira) is not only a testament to some stellar chemistry between cast members but also some impressive foreshadowing from a bit of physical comedy.
Plenty of heroes in the past have encountered successes or failures that are hinted at earlier. For example, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is saved in "Black Panther" by being buried in snow after claiming, "I never freeze." These ingenious little moments make repeat viewings all the more enjoyable to watch. In the case of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," a notable one sees Riri's initial poor defense end up being Shuri's most ingenious tactic in the finale.
Riri's weapons against Shuri and Okoye help save Wakanda against Namor
Early in the film, Shuri and Okoye head to America to track down the inventor of the vibranium detector, only to be greeted by a panic-stricken college student out of her depth. Initially, Shuri's advice for Riri to come with her if she wants to live is ignored until Okoye takes a more direct approach. Naturally, getting caught up in issues between superheroes and villains isn't on Riri's schedule for the day, or ever, so she grabs the closest thing she can find to protect herself. As it turns out, while it's no issue for the general of the Dora Milaje to deal with, the choice items are, in fact, basic versions of what end up turning the tide in the war between Wakanda and Talokan.
At the time, the bit is done for jokes. "Good luck fighting Namor with a heater," Okoye scoffs before Riri gives up and sets off with her new acquaintances and on a huge adventure. The interesting part is that Riri's weapon of choice is what Shuri ultimately uses to overpower Namor (Tenoch Huerta). The underwater god among his people is strengthened by water, which the new Black Panther dries him out of when she tricks him into boarding a ship that she's heated for their final battle. While the initial scene isn't referenced, later on, it makes for a fun connection and a satisfying payoff.
Riri's first defense speaks volumes for the finale of Wakanda Forever
Before picking up a heater of all things to hold off one of Wakanda's most fearsome warriors, Riri grabs a speaker, which Okoye cuts down without issue. You can't blame her; if this stone-faced "baldheaded demon" (Winston Duke's M'Baku's words, not ours) had us cornered, we'd go out swinging with anything that could be thrown. But while it might not be of any help in this scenario, it does tease what ends up stalling the sea-dwellers that square off against Shuri's army and get an earful in the process.
While a speaker with a decent Bluetooth connection might not be enough to hold off Okoye, the Wakandans' sonic emitter keeps many of the Talokanil at bay (just not Mabel Cadena's Namora) in the film's final battle and certainly packs a wallop, proving that a speaker would be a decent defense against Namor, just one that's the size of a small car and pumped full of Wakandan tech. Maybe Riri isn't so bad when it comes to battle plans after all.