At The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment breakfast gala on December 3, 2024, Robert Downey Jr. humorously recounted how Gwyneth Paltrow failed to remember working with Tom Holland across several Tom Holland Marvel movies, highlighting her famous indifference towards the superhero franchise. Paltrow, well known for playing Pepper Potts, received the prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at the event in Los Angeles, offering a revealing look at the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Marvel’s top cast.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Marvel Journey and Notable Oversights
Gwyneth Paltrow’s time within the Marvel Cinematic Universe spans over a decade, but her minimal enthusiasm for the franchise has often surfaced in unexpected and amusing ways. Despite being one of the key supporting actors, especially during the early phases of the MCU, Paltrow has openly admitted to having trouble keeping track of the ever-expanding universe, its films, and its cast members. This disinterest has repeatedly become a source of entertainment for fans and her Marvel co-stars alike.
During the gala, as Paltrow was being honored, Robert Downey Jr. took the opportunity to share a memorable example. He described a moment when Paltrow seemed unaware she had shared the screen with Tom Holland, the actor behind Spider-Man—a central figure in the Tom Holland Marvel movies. Downey Jr. recalled,
“Maybe… she’s a bit of a dichotomy. Impossibly intelligent, but forever confused by the basic tenets of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its inhabitants.”
He continued recounting her confusion about Holland’s identity and their shared projects, noting her assumption that “Peter” was Holland’s real name. He told her,
“No, his character’s name is Peter. That’s Tom Holland. You did four movies with him.”
— Robert Downey Jr., Actor
While Downey Jr. joked about Paltrow starring with Holland in four films, they actually shared scenes principally in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Avengers: Endgame,” where Paltrow reprised her role as Pepper Potts. This distinction did little to dampen the humor, encapsulating her consistent detachment from intricate Marvel details.
Celebrating Paltrow’s Achievements Beyond Marvel
Paltrow, whose career includes multiple awards and diverse roles, has grown her legacy far beyond superhero films. Downey Jr. addressed her numerous achievements during his gala speech, highlighting how she balanced her acting with entrepreneurship and family.
I pulled her out of her first unannounced retirement from cinema. In 2007, she was birthing and building Goop between takes on the set of Iron Man, having spent the previous decade and a half just gobbling up Oscars and Globes. Always choosing directors at these critical points in their careers—both Andersons—Paul Thomas and Wes, Minghella, Soderbergh, Fincher, while also becoming a devoted mother and wife.
— Robert Downey Jr., Actor
Paltrow’s achievements in Hollywood include working with renowned filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Anthony Minghella, Steven Soderbergh, and David Fincher, as well as founding her lifestyle brand Goop. Her ability to maintain a thriving career and a devoted family life attests to her influence beyond her Marvel involvement.
Award Ceremony Reactions and Candid Moments
After Downey Jr.’s affectionate and light-hearted remarks, the “Marty Supreme” star took the stage to accept her award. True to form, Paltrow expressed her gratitude to Downey Jr., reinforcing the deep bond they’ve developed since first starring together as Pepper Potts and Tony Stark.
Robert, I love you so much. You are the older brother that I never had and… wasn’t sure I wanted, but I guess… I’m so grateful to you for being the best partner on screen—for being always the most honest and brilliant reflection back, not just about me but about us, our families, the world.
— Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
The event also recognized Paltrow’s philanthropic endeavors and her longstanding contributions to entertainment and media, crediting her as a trailblazer within the industry. As the recipient of the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, she joined a list of honorees commended for their influence in shaping Hollywood’s cultural and philanthropic landscape.
Past Incidents Highlighting Paltrow’s Marvel Memory Gaps
Paltrow’s lack of familiarity with Marvel’s interconnected movies has led to several memorable incidents beyond Downey Jr.’s story. In 2019, she appeared on Netflix’s “The Chef Show” with Jon Favreau, who reminded her of their joint cameo in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Initially, Paltrow insisted, “We weren’t in Spider-Man.” Favreau clarified her involvement, prompting Paltrow’s realization:
Oh, yes! […] That was Spider-Man?! Oh, my God!
— Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
This candid admission quickly went viral, highlighting how even those at the heart of the MCU could be just as confused by its complexity as fans. Later, during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the issue resurfaced when Kimmel teased her about the confusion. Paltrow explained,
I just got confused. There’s so many of these wonderful Marvel interconnecting movies. And I thought that it was an Avengers movie, but it was not.
— Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
When asked if Tom Holland was offended that she forgot about their shared project, Paltrow admitted,
I never actually saw the movie.
— Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress. She then jokingly added,
I mean, wait! Cut that out! Take that back!
— Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
Having starred as Pepper Potts since the original “Iron Man,” Paltrow has appeared in seven MCU movies, a fact she herself questioned in a Vanity Fair interview. When told she was featured in seven films, she responded,
That can’t be right. I cannot have been in seven. Is that true?
— Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
When prompted about the possibility of a return in future MCU projects like “Brave New World,” Paltrow seemed perplexed, asking, “What is that?”
The Future for Paltrow, Downey Jr., and the MCU
Gwyneth Paltrow will appear in “Marty Supreme,” directed by Josh Safdie, set to release on December 25, 2025. Robert Downey Jr., who became synonymous with Tony Stark, is slated for a high-profile role as Doctor Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday,” releasing December 18, 2026, and will reprise the role for “Avengers: Secret Wars” the following year. As Marvel fans look forward to seeing both Paltrow and Downey Jr.’s next artistic endeavors, the stories from their past—particularly those involving the Tom Holland Marvel movies—continue to captivate audiences.
Paltrow’s frequent forgetfulness and nonchalance about the MCU underscore not only the scale of Marvel’s universe but also the complexity of its web of actors, directors, and plotlines. The candid and often humorous revelations from Hollywood’s elite serve to humanize stars like Paltrow and illustrate how even central figures struggle to keep track of the cinematic universe they helped build.
