Spoiler: Joe McGillicuddy is Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane, the son of Obadiah Stane, the villain from 2008’s Iron Man. That makes Joe the direct family link between Ironheart and the first Iron Man film. It does not mean Riri Williams inherits Tony Stark’s mantle: in the MCU, she is inspired by Stark but makes her own path.
Who is Joe McGillicuddy in Ironheart?
Joe McGillicuddy is the name used by Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane. His identity connects the series to Obadiah Stane, played by Jeff Bridges in Iron Man (2008): Zeke is Obadiah’s son. Disney’s spoiler-marked coverage notes that when Joe first appears as Zeke, his coveralls resemble the outfit Obadiah wore in that film. Marvel’s explanation of the reveal.
How does this connect Ironheart to Iron Man?
The connection is through the Stane family, not a transfer of Iron Man’s identity. Obadiah was Tony Stark’s adversary in the first film, and Zeke’s parentage brings that family into Riri Williams’s story. The reveal ties the series to the original film without making Riri an heir to Tony.
Is Riri Williams Tony Stark’s protégé?
Not in the MCU series. Riri admires Stark and respects the legacy he left, but Ironheart presents her as intent on building an identity of her own. Showrunner Chinaka Hodge put it this way: “Riri is a contemporary of Tony Stark’s. She definitely believes in him and loves the legacy he left for her. But Riri is intent on making her own iconic legacy. She’s not interested in being the heir to Iron Man. She’s interested in being her very own Ironheart.” Marvel’s interview with Hodge.
#1 Best Overall
- 6-INCH-SCALE COLLECTIBLE IRONHEART FIGURE: Fans, collectors, and kids alike can enjoy this 6-inch-scale figure, inspired by the character from Marvel entertainment.
- MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT-INSPIRED DESIGN: This figure features premium design, detail, and articulation for posing and display in a Marvel collection.
- PREMIUM ARTICULATION AND DETAILING: This quality 6-inch Legends Series Ironheart figure features multiple points of articulation and is a great addition to any action figure collection.
- MARVEL UNIVERSE IN 6-INCH SCALE: Look for other Hasbro Marvel Legends Series figures (each sold separately) with comic- and entertainment-inspired characters. (Additional figures each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
Executive producer Brad Winderbaum likewise said: “The story of Ironheart is not one about the mantle of Iron Man getting passed.” Marvel’s coverage of the Stane reveal.
The comics tell a different story
In Marvel Comics continuity, Tony Stark mentors Riri, and an AI based on him helps train her. That relationship should not be carried over to the MCU series: the comics’ mentorship does not establish that Tony trained or passed his mantle to Riri on screen. Marvel’s Ironheart character page is a starting point for exploring her comics history.
Rank #2
- 6-INCH-SCALE COLLECTIBLE MARVEL FIGURE: Ironheart returns to Marvel Legends with this premium 6-inch-scale action figure
- INSPIRED BY BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER: This Marvel Legends Ironheart figure features deco inspired by her appearance in the movie!
- MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Marvel Legends Ironheart figure features extensive articulation for dynamic posability and play
- WAKANDA-INSPIRED ACCESSORIES: This 6-inch Marvel Legends Ironheart figure comes with alternate hands, alternate helmet head, attachable blaster accessories, and blaster FX as seen in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!
- MARVEL UNIVERSE IN 6-INCH SCALE: Look for other Hasbro Marvel Legends Series figures with Marvel Entertainment-inspired characters (Additional figures each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
Why is Riri back in Chicago?
Following Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri returns to Chicago and tries to build advanced armor with limited resources. Her work draws her into a conflict that puts technology against magic. Director Ryan Coogler described her as someone who is “always working with scraps.” Marvel’s series overview and D23’s series coverage describe the premise and its place after Wakanda Forever.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Mephisto reveal the same surprise?
No. Joe’s identity is the Stane-family connection to Iron Man. In the separate Episode 6 finale reveal, Riri meets Sacha Baron Cohen’s character, first assumes he is Dormammu, and learns he is Mephisto. The finale implies she may bargain with him to bring her deceased friend Natalie back. Those events are a supernatural cliffhanger, not another name for the Joe McGillicuddy reveal. Marvel’s finale coverage and Marvel’s explanation of the finale.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsQuick Recap
Best Value
- POWER UP WITH IRONHEART: Wakanda Forever! Kids 4 and up can imagine fighting Wakanda's enemies with this 6-inch Ironheart action figure and unique power up feature
- ACTIVATE VIBRANIUM POWER: Squeeze Ironheart action figure's legs to activate blasters that pop up from behind Ironheart
- RESET BLASTERS: Prepare Ironheart for fun pretend battle play by pushing blasters back behind figure to reset action feature
- MOVIE INSPIRED DESIGN: Battle Action Ironheart toy figure is created with a unique design and inspired by Marvel Studios' Black Panther Wakanda Forever
- COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION: Look out for other Marvel Black Panther action figures and play as your favorite super hero characters (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
Rank #4
- POSEABLE 3-INCH (7.6 CM) MARVEL TOYS: This set of action figures for boys and girls includes 3 articulated Super Hero figures and 1 articulated villain figure
- ICONIC CHARACTERS: Create an instant collection with 4 fan-favorite characters, including Iron Man, Ironheart, Iron Hulk, and Ultron action figures
- ARMOR UP ACCESSORIES: This Marvel action figure 4-pack comes with 4 detachable, character-inspired accessories
- SERIES-INSPIRED FIGURES: This set of Marvel figures features design and deco inspired by the Disney Jr. show Iron Man and his Awesome Friends
- IRON MAN GIFTS: Marvel toys for boys and girls, like this Iron Man action figure collection, are the perfect gift for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions
Rank #3
- WHO IS IRONHEART?: A young, brilliant MIT student who has a passion for engineering, Riri Williams' life takes an unexpected turn when a school project brings the Wakandans and a dangerous foe to her doorstep
- 12-INCH SCALE SUPERHERO ACTION FIGURE: Inspired by Marvel Studios' Black Panther, this 12-inch Ironheart action figure offers imaginative play for kids ages 4 and up. Super hero toys make great gift for boys and girls!
- POSEABLE ACTION FIGURE: Riri Williams aka Ironheart suits up, inspired by the character design from the Marvel Universe. Poseable figure includes awesome blaster gear accessories!
- INCLUDES BLASTER GEAR LAUNCHER: Load up and launch with the blaster gear launcher included in the Ironheart toy. Comes with 5 pieces of gear and 2 projectiles that blast at the push of a button!
- LOOK FOR OTHER MARVEL 12 INCH ACTION FIGURES: Be on the lookout for other Marvel toys from the Titan Hero Series, inspired by the Marvel Universe (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
