An MCU star set to take Phase Five by storm opens up on why being rejected by Marvel is sometimes a good thing

When actors take a shot at the MCU, they may not get what they set out to do. Tom Hiddleston was almost Thor, John Krasinski nearly played Steve Rogers, and, now, Riri Williams actress Dominique Thorne is talking about her near shot at becoming Shuri.

The 25-year-old who will lead Ironheart on Disney Plus later this year reveals she auditioned for the Letitia Wright’s role when she was still a sophomore in college in a new article published by Teen Vogue. Thorne says she was not initially ready, did not believe Marvel totally at the time when they said they would like to work with her in the future, and philosophized that ultimately, people end up where they are supposed to be, whether in their personal lives, or with whatever they may accomplish in a professional capacity.

“I really feel like by the time [Wakanda Forever] came around I was ready in a way that I had only learned to be because of everything I went through at college and post-grad. There also wasn’t this insane pressure. I think, oftentimes, we can put pressure on things that crack it in the wrong ways. Whereas if you let things flow naturally, it tends to take better shape.”

Later in the report Thorne also reveals she brushed up extensively on her character ahead of her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Thorne also says she was not intimidated shooting with Angela Bassett on the project in what turned out to be her first scene during the production period and with the Ironheart show, it will capture what it is actually like to be someone who grows up young, very intelligent, tough and Black over in the city of Chicago. So, a John Hughes project this will really, truly not be.

“I bet many people have never seen a person who’s supposed to be the smart one pull up and run somebody’s pockets. I think that is beautiful. There are so many more layers we’re getting to what it looks like to be young and Black and from Chicago.” 

The Ironheart show does not have a set release date as of this story’s filing. It will have six episodes and other projects Thorne has on deck include Freaky Tales from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck as well as an appearance in the in-development Armor Wars show. Thorne first began acting in 2018 and did not actually study acting when she went to Cornell University for her higher education.