Gwyneth Paltrow, known for her role as Pepper Potts, has not appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since Avengers: Endgame, but new clues indicate she may be returning. Recent rumors suggest Marvel Studios could be planning to bring Tony Stark’s widow back for upcoming projects, potentially Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, driving excitement among fans eager for her MCU return.
Paltrow participated as the keynote speaker at Brown University’s Family Weekend in Providence, where she dropped a significant hint regarding her possible involvement in future Marvel endeavors.
Paltrow’s Reveal at Brown University Event Fuels MCU Speculation
During a question-and-answer session at the event, Gwyneth Paltrow stated,
“I might be in another Marvel movie,”
according to coverage by the Brown Daily Herald. While she used the word “might,” which falls short of official confirmation, this remark has increased anticipation for her appearance in one of the next Avengers installments.
Since first appearing as Tony Stark’s love interest in the original Iron Man film, Paltrow has made several notable MCU appearances. In Avengers: Endgame, she even suited up as Rescue, marking her first time donning armor on screen.
Paltrow’s Mixed Feelings About the Franchise’s Evolution
In a 2024 interview, Paltrow admitted to not having watched Endgame despite her role in it, saying,
“To be honest, I stopped watching them at some point. I’ve never seen Endgame. I can’t keep track of who’s what. But I probably should at some point.”
This suggests her relationship with the MCU has grown complicated over time.
She expressed that the franchise has lost much of its initial independence and spirit, reflecting on the early films’ different production atmosphere.
“The first film we did was very different from the rest because the studio didn’t think it was going to be a big hit,”
Paltrow explained.
“They hired Jon Favreau to direct who was great. And they hired Robert Downey Jr., who was unhireable at the time. His career was at a very low point.”
She continued,
“We improvised almost every scene of that movie. We would write scenes in the morning in Jon’s trailer. It was like doing an independent film. Then the movie was such a huge hit that then we didn’t make them like that anymore.”
Possible Return Linked to Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Comeback
Previously, Paltrow seemed reluctant to return as Pepper Potts without Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement. However, Downey Jr. has been confirmed to return to the MCU, this time as Doctor Doom. This development might have influenced her decision to reconsider, as the dynamic between Pepper Potts and a Stark-like villain is likely to add emotional depth to the story, especially involving Tom Holland’s Spider-Man as he faces a formidable antagonist.
Upcoming MCU Films Delayed but Packed with Star Power
Both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars have faced significant delays, with Doomsday now scheduled for a December 18, 2026 release and Secret Wars set for December 17, 2027. These films will be directed by the Russo brothers, returning after their pivotal work on key MCU entries including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Regarding their return, the Russos said,
“Being able to create stories and explore characters within the Marvel Universe fulfilled a life-long dream of ours, and we discovered a powerful connection with audiences in each film that we made. We’re thrilled to collaborate once again with Kevin, Lou and the entire Marvel team to bring this epic adventure in storytelling to new and surprising places for both the fans and ourselves.”
Star-Studded Cast Announced for Avengers: Doomsday
The confirmed cast for Avengers: Doomsday includes a wide array of characters from across the MCU and Marvel’s wider universe, pointing to an ambitious, large-scale film:
- Paul Rudd as Ant-Man
- Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Lewis Pullman as Sentry
- Florence Pugh as Yelena
- Danny Ramirez as Falcon
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky
- Winston Duke as M’Baku
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Kelsey Grammer as Beast
- James Marsden as Cyclops
- Channing Tatum as Gambit
- Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm
- Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
- Patrick Stewart as Professor X
- Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
- Letitia Wright as Black Panther
- Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
- David Harbour as Red Guardian
- Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing
- Anthony Mackie as Captain America
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Paltrow’s Possible MCU Return
Gwyneth Paltrow’s potential MCU return carries high stakes for the franchise as it moves forward, especially with the emotional ties surrounding her character and Tony Stark. Her involvement could bring renewed interest and complexity to the upcoming Avengers films, particularly with Robert Downey Jr.’s unexpected return. Fans are eager to see how these elements will play out in the evolving landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
#AvengersDoomsday. Now in production. pic.twitter.com/G84UVU8HOc
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 26, 2025
