Gwyneth Paltrow has sparked excitement among Marvel fans by hinting at a potential return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In a recent interview with Boston, the actress, known for her role as Pepper Potts, revealed, “I might be in another Marvel movie.” This unexpected announcement raises questions about her involvement in upcoming projects as the MCU prepares to conclude its current phase.
The MCU is entering a pivotal moment, having kicked off Phase 6 in 2025 with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The franchise is set to culminate the Multiverse Saga with Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 17, 2027. With only a few projects remaining in this slate, Paltrow’s comments have generated considerable speculation regarding her character’s fate and future storylines.
Paltrow’s last appearance as Pepper Potts was in 2019 during Avengers: Endgame, where she participated in the climactic battle against Thanos. One possibility is that she may be part of the cast for Avengers: Doomsday, which completed principal photography on September 19, 2025. Though she was not included in the cast announcement during Marvel Studios’ live-stream on March 26, 2025, Marvel’s president Kevin Feige indicated at CinemaCon on April 3, 2025 that the complete lineup had not yet been revealed.
Paltrow’s return could provide an emotional arc, especially with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role in the MCU, albeit as Victor von Doom, for the next two Avengers films. This dynamic could explore the impact of Tony Stark’s death on Pepper Potts, while also allowing for the introduction of a variant of Pepper through the multiverse.
Another potential project for Paltrow is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is currently in production. Notably, Tom Holland will return as Spider-Man in this film, set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. Paltrow’s involvement in this Peter Parker-centric story could also provide comedic elements, particularly given her previous light-hearted memory lapse regarding her role in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
As the MCU continues to evolve, audiences will have to wait until next year to discover if Paltrow’s Pepper Potts will indeed return for either of the upcoming films, or if her comments allude to a surprise appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe remains one of the most successful entertainment franchises globally, having begun in 2008 with Iron Man. Over the years, it has expanded into an extensive collection of films and television series, with notable works including WandaVision and Loki. As fans eagerly anticipate the next chapters, Paltrow’s hints of a return have undoubtedly added to the excitement surrounding the franchise’s future.
