Is Ironheart Doomed to Repeat WandaVision's Mephisto Mistake?

The upcoming Ironheart series is at risk of falling into the same trap as WandaVision, with fans concocting nonsensical theories about the MCU's introduction of Mephisto. Although widely praised by critics, WandaVision's response wasn't entirely positive due to fans setting their expectations too high. The inclusion of Evan Peters as Quicksilver led to fan theories about an X-Men crossover, resulting in bitter disappointment when the series didn't fulfill those expectations. This trend of fans being upset when Marvel fails to deliver on promises they never made is becoming increasingly prominent in the MCU, as seen with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Ironheart is now the latest target for fan theories, perpetuating the cycle of disappointment.

What Is Ironheart About?

The Ironheart series is set to debut on Disney+ in 2024 with Dominique Thorne starring as Riri Williams. Riri, a brilliant MIT student, designed her own powerful suit of armor to rival that of Tony Stark, which will be the focus of the show's six episodes. Sam Bailey will direct the first three episodes, while Angela Barnes will direct the final three. The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos, will serve as the show's antagonist, with Lyric Ross portraying Riri's best friend and Jim Rash reprising his role as the Dean of MIT. Although the exact plot of the series is being kept confidential, it is expected to follow Riri's journey as she creates a new suit of armor and establishes herself as a superhero while also navigating the legacy of Iron Man.

People Think Mephisto Will Be In Ironheart

There have been rumors circulating that Sacha Baron Cohen will play Mephisto in the Ironheart series, but it seems unlikely. Marvel star Dominique Thorne gave a cryptic response when asked about the rumors, but it's clear that Mephisto doesn't fit in with Ironheart's storyline. As a villain often associated with Doctor Strange or Ghost Rider, Mephisto is better suited for a different MCU project. Riri is more likely to face off against Iron Man villains like Justin Hammer.

The buzz surrounding Mephisto's potential appearance in WandaVision gained so much traction that it turned into a humorous reference for implausible fan theories. However, Mephisto was nowhere to be found in the series, as revealed by head writer Jac Schaeffer in an interview with Mashable. Schaeffer stated that the character was never discussed in the writers' room, and she wasn't aware of him until the fans began speculating: "I never deliberately intended to create any Mephisto red herrings, as I wasn't familiar with the character until I began doing press."

The theories surrounding Mephisto in WandaVision were more plausible than those for Ironheart, as Mephisto is a well-known adversary of Scarlet Witch in the comics. However, those hoping to see Mephisto in Ironheart are likely to be let down. As exciting as it is to speculate about upcoming Marvel projects, it's important to remember that sometimes our expectations don't always align with what we actually see on screen.