Dominique Thorne Almost Turned Down Ironheart Role in Marvel Cinematic Universe

Dominique Thorne, the 25-year-old actress who stars as Ironheart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has revealed that she almost turned down the opportunity to play the role. In a recent conversation with VIBE, Thorne admitted that receiving a call from Marvel Studios was both humbling and incredible, but she still had reservations about accepting the role.

"I admittedly had my hesitations, I had my reservations about accepting this role," Thorne said. "I mean, of course, to have Marvel call your phone is humbling and incredible, and definitely an honor in a way. But I had questions about what that would look like, and what that would mean, what it could mean."

Thorne, who grew up in Brooklyn and attended high school in the Theater District, was concerned about typecasting and being forever tied to the Ironheart character. She also worried about the impact it could have on her career as a theater actor.

However, Thorne’s family played a crucial role in her decision to accept the role. She cited representation for her younger brothers as the primary factor in moving forward with playing the Marvel Comics tech prodigy. Her 15-year-old brother, Ky-Mani, and 7-year-old brother, Caleb, were both excited about the opportunity, and Thorne couldn’t resist the chance to make a positive impact on their lives.

"Considering the other side of that scale and how much that meant also [factored into] how much of an opportunity that could be," Thorne said. "And how much potential to bring that same authenticity, that I would hope for and pray to see in the rest of my life and in the rest of my career, into this opportunity that’s being given and granted to me, presently."

Thorne will star in the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart, which is set to premiere in Fall 2023. The show will follow Riri Williams, a genius inventor who creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. The cast also includes Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Anthony Ramos, Manny Montana, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.

With Ironheart, Marvel Studios is expanding its cinematic universe, and Thorne is excited to be a part of it. Despite her initial reservations, she is now fully committed to bringing authenticity and representation to the role.