Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Ironheart episodes 4-6
The finale ofIronhearthas finally debuted a major villain thatMCUfans have been waiting four years to see. Starring Dominique Thorne as the titular Riri Williams aka Ironheart, the latest MCU series combines technology and magic in some pretty exciting ways. Now, the show’s ending has introduced one of the most powerful magical villains of all time to the MCU.
InIronheartepisodes 4-6, Ironheart builds a brand-new suit before separating Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos) from his mystical hood. Likewise,Ironheartepisode 6 in particular reveals who gave Parker his hood filled with powerful dark magic (and its cost).Rather than Dormammu as in the original comics,Ironheartfinally introduces Mephisto, one of Marvel’s most powerful villains, who has been anticipated since the dawn of MCU shows on Disney+.
4 Years Ago, WandaVision Inspired Theories About A Powerful Marvel Villain
One Who Would Kick Off A Major Supernatural Arc
Back in 2021,WandaVisionwas the first ever MCU show on Disney+. Filled with mysteries, secrets, and dark magic with the introduction of the witch Agatha Harkness and Wanda Maximoff embracing her full potential as the Scarlet Witch, the MCU fandom was full of exciting theories as episodes dropped weekly. With that in mind, it does make sense whyMephisto became such a hot topic of theory and speculation duringWandaVision’srelease.
Mephisto himself was nowhere to be found.
Seeing clues in everything from hidden 666s, flies on the wall, and off-hand references to demons, many MCU fans were convinced Agatha was working with Mephisto inWandaVision, only to be proven wrong by the finale. While theories persisted for years, we wouldn’t get ourfirst official Mephisto MCU name-drop until 2024’sAgatha All Along,with rumors that Agatha’s son might have been an “Agent of Mephisto”. However, Mephisto himself was nowhere to be found.
Mephisto Makes His MCU Debut In Ironheart Episode 6
Parker Robbins' Benefactor
Finally, Mephisto makes his on-screen debut in the MCU inIronheartepisode 6. Although the show makes references toDormammu of the Dark Dimension, the villain who gave Parker the hood in the comics, Mephisto is revealed to be the Hood’s actual dark magic benefactor in the MCU. Played by Sacha Baron Cohen, Mephisto debuts as this seemingly laid-back businessman, well-dressed, and alternating between British and American accents.
Rather than asking for their souls outright, Mephisto claims he’s only interested in something Parker and Riri respectively “won’t miss”. Having promised Parker riches and power, Mephisto later cuts a deal with Riri after Parker can’t deliver and loses the hood, promising Riri to bring her friend Natalie back from the dead.Sure enough, Riri is shown with the samegrowing black cracks on her arm that Parker’s Hood had on his back.
During his meetings with both Parker and Riri, Mephisto also made references to many of his other clients, allegedly including all the names on the Forbes 100 Richest list and even The Beatles' Ringo Starr. Whether that’s true or not, it helps confirm that Mephisto’s been making deals with mortals for years.This mirrors the comics, where Mephisto’s immensely powerful dark magic is primarily bound by mortals first having to accept his contracts.
Why Introducing Mephisto To The MCU Is Such A Big Deal
Created in 1968 by Stan Lee and John Buscema, Mephisto was inspired by the demon Mephistopheles of German folklore and Faustian legend. Initially a villain of the Silver Surfer,Mephisto quickly became an overarching threat to multiple heroes. In current Marvel Comics, Mephisto is a supernatural “demon lord” who thrives on making deals with mortals and claiming their souls, relishing his existence as he plays on human fears that he’s the Devil.
Among his many nefarious dealings, Mephisto was the one who tied the Spirit of Vengeance to Johnny Blaze, creating Ghost Rider.
He also trapped the soul of Doctor Doom’s mother in his domain, thereby motivating Doom’s study of magic to free her.He also made the infamous deal with Spider-Man to save his dying Aunt May, one that erased Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane Watson and rebooted a vast amount of his history in the Marvel Universe.
Mephisto has the potential to be a huge MCU big bad. Doctor Doom is going to be a very exciting addition to the MCU, set to appear inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars,played by Robert Downey Jr.That said, Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto could easily be just as big, even rivaling Josh Brolin as Thanos as an overarching MCU villain who can throw open the doors to the MCU’s supernatural side in a big way.
Where Mephisto Can Appear Next In The MCU
There Are A Few Exciting Options
In truth, Mephisto could theoretically appear anywhere if he were so inclined. It just depends on who he wants to make a deal with. That said,Spider-Man: Brand New Daydoes feel like a solid guess. After all,the fourth Spider-Man movie’s title gets its name from theBrand New Daystoryline, the resulting new chapter for Spider-Man that came from his infamous and controversial deal with Mephisto to save Aunt May inOne More Day.
It’s worth noting that Mephisto’s MCU debut involved bringing back a dead loved one for Riri Williams.Perhaps he might offer the same kind of deal to the MCU’s Spider-Man. After all, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker just lost his Aunt May inSpider-Man: No Way Home.
However, the hanging cliffhanger and deal with Ironheart could perhaps set Mephisto up as a villain for the Young Avengers/Champions.It’s worth noting that there is a Champions storyline in the comics where Mephisto makes several deals with young heroes. His son Blackheart even possesses Riri, an idea that could easily be adapted for the MCU now that Riri’s one of Mephisto’s “clients”.
All episodes ofIronheartare now streaming on Disney+ from Marvel Studios.
An MCU movie focused on The Midnight Sonsis rumored to be back in development. If true, Mephisto could be the perfect villain, facing off against the likes of Doctor Strange, Moon Knight, Ghost Rider, Blade, and more potential members that might make up the supernatural team of heroes in the MCU.That said, it’s also possible that Marvel might save Mephisto until after the Multiverse Saga concludes.
