Gwyneth Paltrow Says She's Leaving the MCU After Avengers: Endgame

Jeni Ekim 28, 2021

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Gwyneth Paltrow is retiring from the MCU after Avengers: Endgame. The first actress to board the MCU, she debuted in the role of Pepper Potts opposite Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark in the first Iron Man in 2008. Since then, she's reprised the role five more times over the last decade in Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War. She's up for another appearance in a couple of months in the much-anticipated Phase 3 capper.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Endgame will deal with the aftermath Thanos' (Josh Brolin) snap that wiped out half of life in the universe in The Decimation. Marking the reunion of the original six Avengers, not much else is known regarding the movie's plot specifics although the concept of time-travel and the Quantum Realm are expected to factor in its narrative. With a bigger role to play in Avengers 4, many are excited to see the Pepper get her own suit for a mission. But as it turns out, Paltrow's upcoming outing as the character may be the last time fans will see her play the role.

Speaking with Variety for being the outlet's latest cover star, Paltrow talked about her future in the MCU. And being one of the actors who have been in the franchise from the beginning, she admits to planning on retiring after Endgame. That said, if Marvel Studios calls her in the future about coming back, the actress says she'll be nothing but thrilled to do it.

"I mean, I'm a bit old to be in a suit and all that at this point. I feel very lucky that I did it, because I actually got talked into it. I was friend with [Iron Man director] Jon Favreau. It was such a wonderful experience making the first Iron Man and then to watch how important it has become to fans."

"I feel honored to be a part of something that people are so passionate about. Of course, if they said, 'Can you come back for a day?,' I will always be there if they need me."

Based on Paltrow's comments, she's still contemplating about leaving the MCU for good, meaning that nothing is set yet in stone. While the terms of Marvel Studios contracts have never been released to the public, Endgame could be the final film in the actress' deal. That said, rumors have previously swirled that she'll appear in Spider-Man: Far From Home. In fact, the trailer for the film has already confirmed that she's still around with Happy Hogan (Favreau) delivering a donation check signed by her.

If Paltrow is leaving the MCU, what does it mean for her and Stark's fate in Avengers: Endgame? Being the inaugural hero of the franchise, many are convinced that Stark will bid the franchise goodbye by the end of the upcoming bout against Thanos - either temporarily or permanently. Alongside with this possibility that Iron Man bites the bullet in the film is the idea that Pepper will live on with their child - something that both of them were already talking about before the events of Infinity War rolled out. Assuming that both of them will no longer be active players in the film series past Phase 3, fans can only hope that they'll have a fitting send-off to cap off a brilliant 10-year run in the MCU.