Robert Downey Jr. calls Dominique Thorne to congratulate her on Ironheart's premiere

Ironheart premiered on Disney+ on June 24, and Robert Downey Jr. made sure the moment didn’t go unnoticed. The Marvel veteran, known for playing Tony Stark in the MCU, called Dominique Thorne—the new face of Ironheart—to offer congratulations and reflect on how far the universe has come.

In a video shared by Marvel Studios and Downey’s own Instagram accounts, the actor told Thorne:

“17 years from the birth of the MCU to the premiere of Ironheart, and we’re in this love together. So psyched. I’ve grown so fond of you, it’s bananas.”

Downey Jr. started the MCU in 2008 with Iron Man and now plays Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, but his moment with Thorne was all about passing the torch. Their conversation touched on legacy, excitement, and respect—especially as Ironheart becomes the final Phase 5 project of the MCU.

Here’s how this moment unfolded and what it says about where Marvel’s future is headed.

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When RDJ called, Ironheart was hours away

According to The Direct, Downey kicked off the call by greeting Thorne and reminding her it was not just the day of the Ironheart premiere, but also his late father’s birthday.

Thorne, aware of the date, wished him well before Downey turned to the milestone at hand:

“'Ironheart' premieres today! It’s all been leading to this, isn’t that exciting?”

Thorne responded with visible emotion and gratitude:

“Oh, my God. Thank you, thank you for the call.”

Downey then looked at the larger picture of the Marvel journey:

“I’ll be watching it with the world,” he said.

The actor kept the tone relaxed and supportive, choosing to highlight Dominique Thorne’s achievement in joining the MCU as a leading superhero.

No cameos were teased. No storylines spoiled. Just recognition—pure and public.

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Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams

Thorne plays Riri Williams, a young inventor who builds her own advanced suit and follows in Stark’s footsteps—not in imitation, but in spirit. After first appearing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Thorne now leads her own series, produced by Ryan Coogler and starring alongside Anthony Ramos and Alden Ehrenreich.

According to The Direct, Ironheart will show Riri’s journey as she returns to her roots in Chicago after studying at MIT. Her story will include not just technology, but also family, identity, and magic—something even Tony Stark never faced directly.

The series brings in legacy characters, one of whom is connected to Obadiah Stane, a villain from Iron Man. But this is very much Riri’s story. And Downey’s call gave it that extra layer of Marvel history—without stepping into the frame.

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What does this mean for Marvel's next chapter?

Robert Downey Jr. is still part of the MCU—he’s currently playing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday—but his moment with Thorne wasn’t about his return. It was about Marvel’s future.

By calling Thorne just hours before the series went live, Downey underscored the franchise’s long view. From 2008 to 2025, from Tony Stark to Riri Williams, Marvel is shifting focus toward new heroes with fresh conflicts and wider representation.

According to The Direct, Thorne is already open to a future crossover with Downey’s Doom. But for now, her priority is leading Ironheart and connecting with fans as her own character. The show doesn’t follow the same blueprint. Instead, it tells a different kind of story, rooted in community, youth, and invention.

While critics have offered mixed early reviews, the series is still positioned as a key piece of Marvel’s evolving puzzle. The call from Downey, though brief, put a spotlight on what the show represents: a handoff, a recognition, and a new start.

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Sometimes, all it takes is one call to welcome the future.