Gwyneth Paltrow Could Return to the MCU
Gwyneth Paltrow, who became an unforgettable figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with her portrayal of Pepper Potts in the Iron Man series, may be returning after years away. The actress excited fans by saying, “Maybe I can be in another Marvel movie,” at an event at Brown University. This statement rekindled rumors of long-rumored projects like Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars.
Pepper Potts Could Return in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars
Marvel fans have been hoping for Pepper Potts to return for years and could be making a return to the big screen. According to the Brown Daily Herald, Gwyneth Paltrow hinted at “new projects soon” at an event she attended as a guest speaker at Brown University. While the actress’s statement, “Maybe I can be in another Marvel movie,” isn’t a direct confirmation, it’s believed plans for a new Pepper Potts role are on the table at Marvel.
Paltrow first appeared as the love interest of Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in the 2008 Iron Man film. Her character garnered widespread acclaim, and she donned her own armor and participated in the battle scenes as a “Rescue” in Avengers: Endgame, effectively ending Tony Stark’s death with an emotional farewell. However, in a 2024 interview, the actress admitted she still hadn’t watched Endgame.
In that interview, the Academy Award-winning actress stated, “I stopped following it at some point. I never watched Endgame. I’m getting confused about who’s who now,” indicating her departure from Marvel productions. She also noted that the early stages of the franchise had an “indie feel,” while subsequent installments gradually shifted towards the influence of major studios. “In the first movie, we practically improvised every scene. That movie was a miracle,” Paltrow said, adding that she missed the creativity of that era.
However, news in recent months that Robert Downey Jr. would return to Marvel as Doctor Doom may have changed Paltrow’s mind. Fans are eager to see Spider-Man’s reaction to facing a Tony Stark-like villain, and how Pepper Potts will cope with such an encounter has become a matter of particular interest.
Meanwhile, Marvel Studios has moved up the dates for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Doomsday is set for December 18, 2026, and Secret Wars on December 17, 2027. Both films will be directed by the Russo Brothers, who previously directed Infinity War and Endgame. The directors said, “Returning to the Marvel universe is a huge thrill for us. This time, we’ll take the story to places it’s never been before,” raising expectations for the projects.
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