Gwyneth Paltrow redirected one Marvel fan to studio executives after she was asked about no longer appearing as Pepper Potts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Paltrow debuted as the character in 2008’s “Iron Man,” the very first MCU movie. She had sizable roles in “Iron Man 2” and “Iron Man 3,” and she also appeared as Pepper in other MCU films such as “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (which she infamously forgot about) and “Avengers: Endgame.” The latter film marked her final MCU appearance for now.
During a Q&A with fans on Instagram, one follower wrote to Paltrow: “I’m asking this every time answer the question why did you stop with Marvel and do you miss [Robert Downey Jr.?]”
“Oh my god, stop yelling at me!” Paltrow humorously responded. “We just stopped doing it because Iron Man died. And, why do you need Pepper Potts without Iron Man? I don’t know. Call up Marvel and yell at them, not me. I’m just sitting here.”
Paltrow’s main co-star throughout the MCU was Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, but the character died at the end of “Endgame.” Without Iron Man’s continued presence, Paltrow feels like there is no need for Pepper to reappear in a Marvel movie.
During an interview earlier this year with fellow Marvel alum Scarlett Johansson on “The Goop Podcast,” Paltrow was asked if she is done for good with the MCU. “I think so,” she answered at the time. “I mean, I didn’t die so they can always ask me.”
Johansson was more definitive with her answer, telling fans she does not plan to play Black Widow again. Her character also died in “Avengers: Infinity War.”
“I’m done,” Johansson said. “Chapter is over. I did all that I had to do. Also coming back and playing a character again and again, over a decade of time, is such a unique experience.”
The Marvel Cinematic Universe most recently included “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” New installments arriving this fall are “Loki” Season 2 on Disney+ and “The Marvels” in theaters.
