An Iconic Iron Man Armor The MCU Barely Used Is Finally Getting Its Long-Awaited Replacement (2024)

Marvel’s Ironheart series has given a new life to a famed Iron Man armor that the MCU squandered. Exclusive footage that Screen Rant viewed at D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event proffered a look at the Disney+ series. One of the most thrilling reveals included a glimpse at a classic Iron Man armor that appeared in the MCU but was completely wasted.

The MCU’s Ironheart series centers on MIT student, Riri Williams, who has designsed her own armor inspired by Iron Man. Riri, played by Dominique Thorne, debuted in the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where she teamed up with the new Black Panther, Shuri. Similarly, Riri is the spiritual successor to Iron Man and will likely play a substantial role in the MCU’s future. Disney gave D23 attendees a glimpse at the miniseries, which looks to revive an iconic Iron Man armor that was barely used.

Iron Man's White Armor Was Only Briefly Used In The MCU

Iron Man's Mark XXXIX Armor Appeared In Iron Man 3

Tony Stark's Mark XXXIX armor, codenamed "Starboost," made a brief but memorable appearance in Iron Man 3. The sleek, white armor was for sub-orbital flight, featuring advanced thrusters and a reinforced design suitable for the extreme conditions of outer space. The Mark XXXIX was unveiled as part of the Iron Legion during the climactic final battle when Stark initiated the "House Party Protocol," summoning all his suits to aid in the fight against Aldrich Killian's forces.

Despite its advanced capabilities, the Starboost armor met an abrupt end. After playing its role in the battle, it was destroyed alongside the rest of the Iron Legion when Stark activated the "Clean Slate Protocol." This dramatic self-destruction of his armor symbolizes Stark's commitment to Pepper Potts, emphasizing that his love for her is greater than his obsession with his suits.

In the comics, white Iron Man armor has appeared in various contexts, often symbolizing purity, new beginnings, or specialized functions, such as stealth or space exploration. Stark's first white armor in the comics was the Arctic Armor (Model 14), which debuted in Iron Man #318 (1995), designed for survival in the harshest frozen climates. Another white armor (Model 50) was introduced in Superior Iron Man #1 November, which was designed to imitate symbiote biology.

At the end of the Ironheart footage shown at D23, Riri Williams is seen flying in a sleek new white armor reminiscent of Iron Man’s white armor. This marks the second new armor revealed in the Ironheart teaser. This fresh design offers a glimpse of the innovative and futuristic aesthetic that Riri brings to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The white armor’s introduction in Ironheart can make up for the Iron Man counterpart that was wasted in Iron Man 3. The white armor pays homage to Riri's predecessor and demonstrates her comparably unique genius. This helps cement her place as the MCU’s new Iron-hero when Riri steps into the spotlight in Ironheart.

Ironheart

Set after Dominique Thorne's MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios' Ironheart series follows Riri Williams as she follows in Iron Man's steps as a high-tech superhero and crosses paths with Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins a.k.a. The Hood, a magic user with ties to the dark arts. The six-episode Disney+ series is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5.

Cast

Manny Montana , Dominique Thorne , Anthony Ramos , Harper Anthony , Alden Ehrenreich , Lyric Ross

Streaming Service(s)

Disney+

Franchise(s)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Directors

Chinaka Hodge

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