This is going to be incredibly exciting! Rumor has it that Gwyneth Paltrow will be making a much-awaited return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside the legendary Robert Downey Jr. And not just any character, but the beloved Pepper Potts herself! Is it really true?
As per the recent scoop, Paltrow’s Pepper Potts may be making a comeback in the upcoming MCU’s Armor Wars. Although the Armor Wars television series was first revealed in December 2020, there has not been much information about Don Cheadle’s project since. The creative team behind the project appears to have made the decision to adapt the series into a feature film.
For those who might need a little refresher, Paltrow portrayed Pepper Potts, Tony Stark’s fierce and intelligent love interest and devoted confidante, in the Iron Man films. And let’s not disregard the undeniable chemistry between Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. on screen; their relationship was definitely a sight to behold.
Is Gwyneth Paltrow Resuming Her MCU Role With Robert Downey Jr.?
Many characters and storylines came to an end in the jaw-dropping Avengers: Endgame finale, most notably with Iron Man’s (Robert Downey Jr.) ultimate passing. Well, even after his death, a large number of his friends and family, including Gwyneth Paltrow’s character Pepper Potts, remain alive.
Now this, coupled with the latest details from Marvel Updates, suggests that the actress could return to the MCU as Pepper Potts in the upcoming film, Armor Wars:
Gwyneth Paltrow will return as Pepper Potts in Armor Wars pic.twitter.com/WmpVzdzVuf
— Marvel Updates (@marvel_updat3s) March 4, 2024
All right, so what is Armor Wars exactly about?
Don Cheadle will play the character of War Machine, a.k.a. James Rhodes. Comparatively speaking, it centers on Rhodey’s battle with Stark’s stolen technology. Pepper and Rhodey share a unique understanding of Stark’s ability to attract trouble, so it would make sense for Paltrow to make an appearance in the upcoming flick.
As a result, the possibility of the Iron Man franchise’s characters and stories (including Downey Jr.’s Iron Man) returning is not completely off the table. Though any discussion about Downey Jr. playing the iconic role again is purely theoretical, Cheadle’s James Rhodes, who also made a cameo in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, will surely reprise the role for War Machine.
Paltrow is willing to return to the MCU as long as her role only requires a few days to film, as the actress informed the PEOPLE TV show:
“I think if it was a small part that I could do in like a day or two, I would of course be open to that.”
Furthermore, it appears that the characters connected to Stark could very well make an appearance in Ironheart and Armor Wars, as they are both slated to address the legacy of Iron Man.
Heartbreaking News About Don Cheadle’s Armor Wars
Armor Wars was first conceived as a television series that would have continued the storylines of Ironheart and Secret Wars. But in 2022, as THR has discovered, the decision was rescinded, and Marvel Studios chose to make it into a feature film.
In related news, insider Daniel RPK leaked that the film will not be released until 2026 (via Murphy’s Multiverse). Now, that is a depressing update for a lot of War Machine enthusiasts worldwide.
According to the insider, the studio plans to start looking for a director for the movie early in 2025, with the goal of starting production. That would probably place the movie somewhere on the “2026 slate” of the studio. Simply put, a film will only be able to hit theaters in 2026 if the MCU selects a filmmaker for it in 2024.
Given that the SAG-AFTRA strike has delayed the majority of the MCU’s upcoming projects, the studio will have a difficult time completing its upcoming films and television series on schedule while maintaining a high standard of quality.
