What Happens to Zeke Stane in Ironheart’s Ending

Curious about what happens to Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Stane in Ironheart’s finale, how his arc connects to Riri Williams, and what it might mean for his future in the MCU? With the show wrapping up its first season, viewers are eager to know where the son of Obadiah Stane ends up after the final battle.

Here’s what we know so far about Ezekiel Stane’s fate, his role in Ironheart’s ending, and how it sets up his next chapter.

Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Stane’s fate in Ironheart’s ending explained

Riri Williams breaks Parker Robbins’ control over Ezekiel Stane by kicking him in the groin, the only non-bionic part of his body, which triggers a hard reset. Even after gaining his freedom, Ezekiel stays bitter and unresolved. He tells Riri, “We’re not done,” and highlights the costly tech in his body and his unresolved anger.

Earlier, police arrested Ezekiel after finding Riri’s tech at a Hood-led heist. Parker, aware of Ezekiel’s ties to Riri and needing a strong asset, broke him out. He then funded bionic upgrades that turned Ezekiel into a weapon with no need for a suit. Parker later hacked the enhancements to control Ezekiel’s actions.

In episode 5, Ezekiel falsely claims he killed Riri. Parker rewards him by offering a permanent job, which Ezekiel refuses. Despite this, Parker later forces him back into action. He uses the hacked tech to control Ezekiel’s movements during a heist at Art’s mansion. The control leaves Ezekiel powerless and fully dependent on Parker.

Riri ultimately regains the upper hand during the finale, confronting Ezekiel in her new magic-powered suit. The reset not only breaks Parker’s control but symbolically restores Ezekiel’s agency. However, the experience leaves him directionless and deeply conflicted. Without a team or mission, and bearing advanced yet unstable enhancements, Ezekiel stands at a crossroads.

There is no explicit resolution for Ezekiel in the finale. He is not imprisoned, nor does he side with Riri or Parker. His final remark and the lack of closure suggest he will return in a future MCU storyline. He is the son of Obadiah Stane. His legacy as a tech-enhanced antagonist remains a lingering thread in Riri Williams’ developing narrative.