Mephisto Debuts, Ironheart Finale Alters MCU Mysticism

In the Ironheart season finale on Disney+, Sacha Baron Cohen debuts as Mephisto, confirming years of speculation and introducing the villain to the MCU. Riri Williams, having left MIT and returned to Chicago, makes a deal with Mephisto to resurrect her best friend Natalie, marking a pivotal shift in her character. Mephisto was chosen over Dormammu for his thematic fit with Riri's arc, a decision made collaboratively by Marvel. The fate of Parker Robbins (the Hood) remains unresolved, setting up potential future storylines involving magic users. While some reviews compare Riri's journey unfavorably to Tony Stark's, the supernatural cliffhangers and Mephisto's introduction have sparked excitement among fans. The finale leaves the futures of these characters open, with further appearances teased in upcoming Marvel projects.