MCU’s Newest Star Avoids Comic Character Representation

Essential Highlights

Anthony Ramos brings a unique perspective to his role by forgoing comic book references.
His approach aims to create a dynamic and relatable character in Disney Plus’ Ironheart.
Notable MCU characters have been adapted differently from their comic origins.

In a daring move, one of the newest stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has opted to reinterpret their character without diving into the source material—an intriguing approach that sets a distinctive tone.

The MCU is witnessing a wave of fresh talent following the departure of beloved actors like Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Dave Bautista, and Zoe Saldaña. Among the new faces entering this expansive universe are Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn, who are set to join the ranks in The Fantastic Four: First Steps as iconic characters such as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, and Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, respectively.

Among these newcomers is Anthony Ramos, who will star in Disney Plus’ upcoming series, Ironheart, alongside Dominique Thorne as the titular superhero. Ramos takes on the role of Parker Robbins, known as The Hood. In a recent interview with ComingSoon.net, he revealed that he chose not to refer to the comics during his preparation for the role. He stated, “No, I didn’t really dive into the comics. I just really focused on my character and you just follow the script. But it was also like, yo, how do I make him singular? How do I make him different?”It’s worth noting that the MCU’s portrayal of The Hood deviates from the original material; in the series, Robbins is reimagined as a resident of Chicago, whereas, in the comics, he belongs to New York City.

While Ramos has been somewhat coy about the specifics of his character’s development, he expressed his intention to make Parker Robbins engaging and multi-dimensional. “So I just wanted to make him super dynamic. Like every character, I just see how I relate to him and I try to put as much of myself into the character. I think that was how I looked at it,”he emphasized. In a discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, he elaborated on how the intense powers of The Hood can overwhelm Parker, affecting him both physically and psychologically.

It’s overwhelming, and it starts to damage his body. You can see it on the outside, and you can see how it’s even affecting him on the inside and his personality. He’s like, ‘I can’t let it go.’ It becomes this weapon to seek vengeance.

Traditionally, actors preparing for MCU roles often familiarize themselves with their characters by exploring the comic books. Nonetheless, Ramos’ choice to bring his own interpretation to the table is consistent with the MCU’s trend of altering certain aspects of characters and storylines for narrative purposes. For instance, the introduction of Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever featured a new origin that incorporated Aztec influences, while the original comics depict him as an Atlantean with mixed heritage. Similarly, Ms. Marvel‘s powers were adjusted for the series, shifting her abilities from polymorphism to creating “hard light”constructs—and recontextualizing her backstory to make her a mutant rather than an Inhuman.

Given this precedent, Ramos’ desire to impart his own spin on The Hood is entirely valid. Although he has kept specifics under wraps, audiences are eager to witness how he leverages his considerable talent to embody the character. Ramos, who earned acclaim for his performances in the Broadway sensation Hamilton and films ranging from A Star Is Born to Godzilla: King of the Monsters, has proven his skill in nuanced roles. His wealth of experience positions him to deliver a portrayal that resonates with fans.

Mark your calendars: Ironheart is set to premiere on Disney Plus on June 24, 2025.

Source: ComingSoon.net

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