Iron Man Crashes Live Interview With Surprise Message for Marvel’s Newest Star
Robert Downey Jr. made a surprise appearance on live TV with a heartfelt message that caught two of Marvel’s newest stars completely off guard, in the best way possible.
During an interview on Good Morning America, Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos were chatting about their upcoming Marvel series Ironheart, when host Robin Roberts interrupted them with a surprise. “Do you mind if we interrupt the interview for just a moment, because I think we have a very special message. I think you’re going to recognize who this is,” she said.
The screen cut to a video message from Downey Jr., who played Iron Man for over a decade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Ms. Thorne, I couldn’t be happier than to be seeing you bring Riri Williams to life,” he said warmly.
Then he turned his attention to Ramos, joking about his character in the show. “But, the Hood has me nervous. Is the hood green? Please tell me Mr. Ramos is not replacing me as Dr. Doom via Parker Robbins. Is there something they’re not telling me?”
He finished the message by forming a heart with his hands. “Long story short, Iron Man loves Ironheart.”
Robert Downey Jr. has shared a new video message in support of #Ironheart star Dominique Thorne:
— MCU – The Direct (@MCU_Direct) June 17, 2025
"Iron Man loves Ironheart." pic.twitter.com/cD5BcCz3Hi
Back in the studio, Thorne smiled and made the same heart gesture with her hands. “Ironheart loves Iron Man too,” she said.
Thorne also talked more about what Downey Jr.’s support has meant to her. “He’s been so supportive. It really means a lot,” she shared. She explained how deeply her family connects with Marvel. “My baby brother was born just a few months before Iron Man came out, and it’s been a family thing ever since. We have pictures of me as Iron Girl and him as Iron Man for Halloween.” She added that Downey Jr. first reached out to her shortly after filming wrapped in Chicago.
In Ironheart, Thorne plays Riri Williams, who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The series follows her return to Chicago and her journey as a young genius at MIT, where she builds her own Iron suit and runs into Parker Robbins, also known as the Hood, played by Ramos.
Ironheart is being produced by Ryan Coogler and will continue to expand Marvel’s next chapter, with some familiar faces still watching closely, especially Iron Man.
Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, a role she first played in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She’s joined by Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam, and Anji White.
The show was announced back in December 2020, and Thorne was confirmed as the lead at the same time. In 2021, Chinaka Hodge came on as head writer, and more of the cast was revealed in early 2022. Directors Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes joined the team that April.
Filming started in Atlanta around June, then moved to Chicago in October, and wrapped up by November.
Ironheart is set to premiere on Disney+ on June 24, 2025, with the first three episodes. The six-part series will close out Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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