Marvel has tapped Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes to direct its new Ironheart series for Disney+, and Ryan Coogler’s production company Proximity is also now on board the Dominique Thorne-starring project. Deadline notes the character—Iron Man’s mentee/successor Riri Williams—is set to make her live-action debut in Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, scheduled to hit theaters on Nov. 11, 2022.
Bailey is the co-creator of Brown Girls and You’re So Talented, served as a director/producer on the final season of Netflix’s Dear White People, and has other credits including Grown-ish, The Chi, and Jamila Woods music videos. Barnes directed episodes of Mythic Quest, Blindspotting, and at least one installment from Atlanta’s fourth and final season, coming later this year.
In sharing the news on Monday, Barnes referenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s mandate of ultimate secrecy. “I can finally talk about my new job! Well, not about the cast, storyline or production schedule, but now you know the project. Can’t wait for y’all to see it!!”
Bailey, who was tagged in Barnes’ post, evidently created an IG account to celebrate. “not gonna lie…got on insta just for this,” she captioned her screenshot of the big reveal. “excited to be bring this story to the screen with chinakahodge @loveangelabarnes and the whole damn team. y’all ain’t ready.”
Riri was introduced to Marvel Comics in Invincible Iron Man in 2016. A teenage genius, Williams adopted the persona of Ironheart while Tony Stark was incapacitated during the major conflict of Civil War II, becoming an armored superhero similar to Iron Man.
Alongside Thorne, the cast will be rounded out by Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, and Harper Anthony. Disney and Marvel Studios announced plans for the show in 2020, although there’s no scheduled release date for the six-episode season just yet. Other producers attached include Kevin Feige, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Chinaka Hodge, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, and Zoie Nagelhout.