AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Gwyneth Paltrow Teases Retirement From The MCU But Is Open To Future Cameos

Gwyneth Paltrow will return as Pepper Potts in Avengers: Endgame, but we'll soon be saying goodbye to another MCU fan-favourite as the actress has confirmed that she's decided to step down from the role...

By JoshWilding - Feb 19, 2019 07:02 AM EST

Filed Under: Avengers: Endgame

Well, it appears as if we should brace ourselves for another big Marvel Cinematic Universe departure in Avengers: Endgame. During a recent interview with Variety, Gwyneth Paltrow confirmed that she plans on stepping away from the role after the Infinity War follow-up is released because she's...well, possible SPOILERS follow from this point on.

"I mean, I’m a bit old to be in a suit and all that at this point," the actress said, clearly referring to the fact that she suits up as Rescue in the movie. "I feel very lucky that I did it, because I actually got talked into it. I was friends 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."

However, while it definitely sounds like Paltrow is going to say goodbye to playing Pepper Potts, the door hasn't been completely closed and she remains open to a Spider-Man: Homecoming style cameo.

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

In recent years, Pepper has definitely taken something of a backseat in the MCU and so this news really isn't all that surprising. However, I think we can quite confidently state that Rescue won't be joining The Avengers on a permanent basis if these remarks are any indication.

As always, stay tuned for updates as we have them.

For a ranking of Avengers: Endgame's most powerful
characters, hit the "View List" button below.

10. Rescue

It's no secret that Gwyneth Paltrow will be suiting up as Rescue in Avengers: Endgame.

Despite the fact that Pepper Potts will don what is bound to be a powerful suit of armour, she's also going to be something of an amateur, hence why she doesn't rank slightly higher here. I also doubt that Paltrow is going to become a member of The Avengers moving forward given her sporadic MCU appearances in recent years, so it's doubtful she'll even be in the armour for very long!

Even so, Rescue is bound to make an impact and if she does end up saving Tony Stark, then she may deserve an even higher place on this list once all is said and done.

9. Nebula

Nebula is one heck of a fighter and good with a gun but it's not like she has any superpowers, so what's the deal with her topping Rescue?

Well, the villain turned hero knows Thanos better than any of the other characters in this movie and that gives her a serious advantage and one which could help turn the tide when Earth's Mightiest Heroes square off with the Mad Titan for a second time.

Throw in the fact that her comic book counterpart is the one who wields the Infinity Gauntlet and makes things right, and Nebula might eventually be deserving of the #1 spot here!

8. War Machine

We know that War Machine will be upgrading his armour in Avengers: Endgame and that was to be expected, especially after the overwhelming odds he and the rest of the team faced when Thanos' Outriders invaded Wakanda (his guns also made zero impact against Thanos).

Many fans believe that they're spotted Iron Man's Proton Cannon on set but the signs are all pointing to Rhodey being the one who ultimately winds up wielding that the next time he crosses paths with the Mad Titan.

Just how effective that weapon will be remains to be seen, but War Machine getting a serious upgrade is obviously long overdue at this stage and we've not really seen him undergo any sort of real change since he took on the Iron Patriot persona back in 2013. With this in mind, expect the hero to shine almost as much as a certain other Armoured Avenger!

7. Captain America

Captain America has the Super Soldier Serum flowing through his veins and has even defeated Iron Man so perhaps some of you will argue that he deserves a higher place here (and that's something I don't necessarily disagree with).

Regardless, with two key moments in the MCU's history teasing a big moment for Cap in Avengers: Endgame - him nearly lifting Mjolnir and the fact he was able to stop Thanos in his tracks for a few seconds, at least - I'm sure many of you will be pleased to see Steve Rogers rocket up to the #1 position when the movie is released this April.

For now, though, I would say that this is an appropriate spot for Steve, and if this really is going to be the end for Captain America, I can't wait to see his final display of power.

6. Ant-Man

Forgetting for a moment that Ant-Man can make himself really, really small or really, really big, and there's a good reason why he's nearly managed to crack the top five here.

For starters, his powers will inevitably come in handy when he squares off with Thanos but it's his knowledge (not something we ever thought we'd say about Scott Lang) which could help make him one of the mightiest heroes in Avengers: Endgame. After all, he's the only one who knows about and has travelled into the Quantum Realm.

Throw in the fact that it looks like the rest of the team will be wearing white suits which are seemingly based on Hank Pym's tech, and Ant-Man will be making a massive splash in this adventure.

5. Iron Man

The last time we saw Tony Stark, his nanotech armour had been depleted and Thanos had stabbed him through the stomach.

Now, Iron Man is going to have to undergo some major upgrades and images from Avengers: Endgame have shown him decked out in a new, comic accurate suit which is bound to feature some surprising new features to better help him take the fight to Thanos.

Tony may just be a man in a suit but he definitely gave the Mad Titan a good fight when they came to blows last year, so I have no doubt he already has some new ideas in mind.

4. Thor

The God of Thunder made one crucial mistake in Avengers: Infinity War when he failed to aim for the head but that doesn't make Thor any less powerful. With Stormbreaker, he's able to transport himself and the rest of Earth's Mightiest Heroes anywhere across the cosmos and the only thing that could hold him back here is the fallout from that aforementioned mistake.

After all, it definitely looks like Thor may have left Earth behind based both on the footage we've seen and rumours that have been swirling for a while now. Ultimately, it could take Rocket to convince him to rejoin his teammates.

However, once Thor does unleash the full extent of his powers on Thanos, I think we could see the most powerful version of the Asgardian to date as he's hungry for revenge and no doubt desperate to make up for his past failings.

3. The Hulk

The Jade Giant was M.I.A. in Avengers: Infinity War but promo art and a live-action image have confirmed that he will finally return here, albeit with something of a difference.

While The Hulk was seemingly too scared to come out and fight after receiving a beating at the hands of the Mad Titan, it now looks as if Bruce Banner has gained mental control over his other half, thereby creating the Professor Hulk persona. That's going to be a deadly combination as we've never seen a Hulk with brains and brawn on the big screen.

With Banner's intelligence and The Hulk's rage and power, this new Green Goliath might just be the turning point in bringing down Thanos once and for all in Avengers: Endgame.

2. Captain Marvel

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has described Captain Marvel as the MCU's most powerful superhero on a number of occasions now and while we've yet to see Carol Danvers in action, there's no way she wasn't going to end up taking this spot.

Regardless of whether or not Samuel L. Jackson's remarks about her being able to travel through time are accurate, she's bound to be the hero who helps turn the tide against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame and while I don't think she'll be the one to deliver the final blow to the villain (solely because someone with more history in the MCU deserves that honour), Carol will definitely help!

Getting to see her unleash those Binary powers on the Infinity Gauntlet-wielding villain promises to be great fun, especially if her powers really are tied into the Tesseract as some have theorised.

1. Thanos

Snapping his fingers and wiping out trillions of innocent lives may have taken its toll on Thanos but he's still the most powerful being in the universe while he has the Infinity Gauntlet in his possession.

The fact that his arm looked badly damaged at the end of Avengers: Infinity War and that he's now wearing armour and wielding a sword definitely points to the Mad Titan not being his normal self, but it's going to take an awful to bring him down and this won't be an easy battle for Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

I'd love to say that Thanos will be defeated in Avengers: Endgame, but given how the last movie ended there's really no guarantee, so he could remain in this position for the foreseeable future...

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Kerry Condon Says Keeping Iron Man's Death Secret Was Enough To Drive You To Drink

Recommended For You:

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Potential Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return: "We Closed That Book"

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

91 Comments

1 2 3

Kumkani - 2/19/2019, 7:52 AM

I mean hasn't she been doing cameos for a while

bobevanz - 2/19/2019, 7:56 AM

Hmm I was thinking she'd kick the bucket in Endgame, I guess not lol

Vigor - 2/19/2019, 7:58 AM

Wow this is low key a confirmation she suits up

Scarilian - 2/19/2019, 8:01 AM

@Vigor -
The actress took a selfie in the suit, spoiling the armour a while back.

Nebula - 2/19/2019, 8:29 AM

@Scarilian - She also took a photo of herself in a mo-cap suit and spoiled some stuff during the IW premiere. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but hey, what can you expect from someone who thinks water has feelings.

JonC - 2/19/2019, 9:25 AM

@Vigor -
interesting for someone that is 'all about health and exercise' that she 'I mean, I’m a bit old to be in a suit and all that at this point'... has this attitude. Its not like she physically looks older than others and would be out of place. i am assuming she just doesn't like the time away from home. which is true of anyone.

JonC - 2/19/2019, 9:26 AM

@Nebula - who is to say marvel did not plan this 'slip up'? could be the same for rufalo and holland... consistent slip ups seems more like studio driven marketing.

XelCorp - 2/19/2019, 10:25 AM

@Nebula - wtf about water? Lmao

Nebula - 2/19/2019, 12:55 PM

@XelCorp - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gwyneth-paltrow-thinks-negative-words-and-sounds-can-hurt-water-s-feelings-9486230.html

slickrickdesigns - 2/19/2019, 7:58 AM

I think some will I agree, I could care less about Pepper Pots being in the future of the MCU.

Scarilian - 2/19/2019, 8:00 AM

@Nebula -
• Gwyneth Paltrow will cameo at some stage, she's still around in 'Far From Home' and they'll bring her back for that All-Female Avengers movie they have been talking about as a 'Nick Fury' style character. Otherwise they'll just pretend she's out there protecting somewhere and maybe recast down the line.
• Mark Ruffalo is in a similar way, Ragnarok, Infinity War and Endgame were described as a trilogy for his character so he'll probably be gone or relegated to cameos.
• Chris Hemsworth's Thor has lost so much already that it makes no sense to kill him off, instead he'll probably serve the same role as Odin used to, protecting a 'new Asgard'.

I'm leaning towards only RDJ being gone for good, his end signalling the finale of the first act of the MCU and shaking up the MCU for Phase 4 and beyond. New Leader of the Avengers, new group dynamic, etc...

LiteraryJoe - 2/19/2019, 10:39 AM

@Scarilian - Cap's gotta die tho.

knocturnalzen10 - 2/19/2019, 8:00 AM

Yea split sec i thought this didn't sound too good for tony :( sigh that still means caps on borrowed time by the end of this film :/

aflynn - 2/19/2019, 8:01 AM

This is not farewell but Goop Bye

Nebula - 2/19/2019, 8:08 AM

@TheOscarPanther -

In-fact, I almost said that exact thing in the IM3 thread.

Kurne - 2/19/2019, 8:01 AM

"Of course, if they said, ‘Can you come back for a day?,’ I will always be there if they need me."

I actually wanted to tear up as soon as I read that. Its literally like that uncle or sibling who moves far away.

Seriously, this is all I can ask of the OGs...

Nebula - 2/19/2019, 8:09 AM

@Kurne -

NinnesMBC - 2/19/2019, 8:06 AM

Pepper will take out the trash as always for Tony aka get reckt Thanos. 💪

bkmeijer2 - 2/19/2019, 8:08 AM

Is she talking about suiting up in the "I feel very lucky that I did it, because I actually got talked into it'', or does she refer to the movies in general?

Also, is it really a fact, or just a rumour seemingly getting confirmed by leaks and then branded as fact as written in the ''clearly referring to the fact she suits up as Rescue in the movie'' quote? The Russos did say the leaks don't really have to be true

Guess we'll see how it'll turn out in the future

1 2 3

Related Headlines

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Kerry Condon Says Keeping Iron Man's Death Secret Was Enough To "Drive You To Drink"

JoshWilding

2 days ago

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Potential Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return: "We Closed That Book"

MarkCassidy

4 days ago

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors Joe & Anthony Russo On Why They Don't Buy Into Superhero Fatigue Claims

JoshWilding

4 days ago

Related Headlines

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Kerry Condon Says Keeping Iron Man's Death Secret Was Enough To "Drive You To Drink"

JoshWilding

2 days ago

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Potential Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return: "We Closed That Book"

MarkCassidy

4 days ago

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors Joe & Anthony Russo On Why They Don't Buy Into Superhero Fatigue Claims

JoshWilding

4 days ago

Iron Man

Marvel Actress Gwyneth Paltrow Says There's A Limit On The Number Of Good Superhero Movies That Can Be Made

MarkJulian

Mar 21, 2024 08:03 PM

Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Josh Brolin Suggests There Are Plans For Thanos To Return In The Multiverse Saga

JoshWilding

Feb 05, 2024 09:02 AM

Avengers: Endgame

Suicide Squad

SHOGUN Star Anna Sawai Was Forced To Pass On Audition To Play Katana In SUICIDE SQUAD

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

X-Men '97

X-MEN '97 Recap: An Unbelievable Twist And Shocking Return Kick Off Three-Part Finale - SPOILERS

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Latest Headlines

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Promo Art Recreates Classic Comic Cover; New Look At Dogpool Revealed

MarkCassidy

24 mins ago

Suicide Squad

SHOGUN Star Anna Sawai Was Forced To Pass On Audition To Play Katana In SUICIDE SQUAD

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

X-Men '97

X-MEN '97 Recap: An Unbelievable Twist And Shocking Return Kick Off Three-Part Finale - SPOILERS

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

X-Men '97

X-MEN '97 Recap: "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1" Includes Some Amazing Marvel Universe Cameos - SPOILERS

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

Josh Brolin On Cable's DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Absence: "Marvel Is A Complex Labyrinth"

MarkCassidy

6 hours ago

Blade

RUMOR: Wesley Snipes' Return As BLADE Could Be Happening Much Sooner Than Expected - Possible SPOILERS

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Hot Headlines

181 comments

DOCTOR WHO Star Ncuti Gatwa Responds To Racist/Homophobic Backlash: "Turn Off The TV. Go And Touch Grass"

JoshWilding

2 days ago EST

131 comments

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Promo Art Finally Unveils Harrison Ford's Red Hulk

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

118 comments

Chris Hemsworth Says "I Became A Parody Of Myself" In Taika Waititi's THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

92 comments

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Promo Art Reveals Full Look At Sam Wilson's Suit As Toys Highlight Red Hulk

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

89 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Breaks Down Tolerance Is Extinction And Reveals Whether That Was The Amazing [SPOILER]

More Cartoons & Animated ►

STARFIELD Update Brings Improved Surface Maps, New Gameplay Options And More

More Anime & Manga ►

M3GAN 2.0 Casts AHSOKA Star Ivanna Sakhno In Major Role

More Horror ►

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Mask Designer Eddie Yang; Dev Patel Film Now Available On Digital HD

More Action Movies & TV ►

AEW President Tony Khan Responds To Recent Criticisms From WWE Hall Of Famers Goldberg And Kevin Nash

More Pro Wrestling ►

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Gets An Exciting Production Update As Next STAR WARS Movie Draws Near

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Gwyneth Paltrow Teases Retirement From The MCU But Is Open To Future Cameos

Gwyneth Paltrow will return as Pepper Potts in Avengers: Endgame, but we'll soon be saying goodbye to another MCU fan-favourite as the actress has confirmed that she's decided to step down from the role...

10. Rescue

9. Nebula

8. War Machine

7. Captain America

6. Ant-Man

5. Iron Man

4. Thor

3. The Hulk

2. Captain Marvel

1. Thanos

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Kerry Condon Says Keeping Iron Man's Death Secret Was Enough To "Drive You To Drink"

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Potential Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return: "We Closed That Book"

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Kerry Condon Says Keeping Iron Man's Death Secret Was Enough To "Drive You To Drink"

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Potential Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return: "We Closed That Book"

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors Joe & Anthony Russo On Why They Don't Buy Into Superhero Fatigue Claims

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Kerry Condon Says Keeping Iron Man's Death Secret Was Enough To "Drive You To Drink"

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Potential Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return: "We Closed That Book"

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors Joe & Anthony Russo On Why They Don't Buy Into Superhero Fatigue Claims

Marvel Actress Gwyneth Paltrow Says There's A Limit On The Number Of Good Superhero Movies That Can Be Made

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Josh Brolin Suggests There Are Plans For Thanos To Return In The Multiverse Saga

Today Marks The 5-Year Anniversary Of AVENGERS: ENDGAME's First Trailer Being Released

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Promo Art Finally Unveils Harrison Ford's Red Hulk

BLACK ADAM Star Dwayne Johnson DID Make Moves To Take Over DCEU; New Report Claims He Pees In Bottles On Set

RUMOR: Wesley Snipes' Return As BLADE Could Be Happening Much Sooner Than Expected - Possible SPOILERS

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Hi-Res Promo Art Reveals New Look At Logan's Suit And Wade Wilson's Weird Variants

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Promo Art Reveals Full Look At Sam Wilson's Suit As Toys Highlight Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Promo Art Recreates Classic Comic Cover; New Look At Dogpool Revealed

SHOGUN Star Anna Sawai Was Forced To Pass On Audition To Play Katana In SUICIDE SQUAD

X-MEN '97 Recap: An Unbelievable Twist And Shocking Return Kick Off Three-Part Finale - SPOILERS

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Promo Art Recreates Classic Comic Cover; New Look At Dogpool Revealed

SHOGUN Star Anna Sawai Was Forced To Pass On Audition To Play Katana In SUICIDE SQUAD

X-MEN '97 Recap: An Unbelievable Twist And Shocking Return Kick Off Three-Part Finale - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97 Recap: "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1" Includes Some Amazing Marvel Universe Cameos - SPOILERS

Josh Brolin On Cable's DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Absence: "Marvel Is A Complex Labyrinth"

RUMOR: Wesley Snipes' Return As BLADE Could Be Happening Much Sooner Than Expected - Possible SPOILERS

Hot Headlines

DOCTOR WHO Star Ncuti Gatwa Responds To Racist/Homophobic Backlash: "Turn Off The TV. Go And Touch Grass"

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Promo Art Finally Unveils Harrison Ford's Red Hulk

Chris Hemsworth Says "I Became A Parody Of Myself" In Taika Waititi's THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Promo Art Reveals Full Look At Sam Wilson's Suit As Toys Highlight Red Hulk

X-MEN: Could MUFASA Director Barry Jenkins Be A Contender To Helm MCU Reboot?

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Gets An Exciting Production Update As Next STAR WARS Movie Draws Near

THE ACOLYTE Footage Leaks Online Ahead Of Its Debut With STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE This Weekend

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA New Poster, TV Spots And Still Released As Press Tour Kicks Off In Sydney

REBEL MOON Extended Cut Gets New Title And Official R-Rating For "Gore, Sexual Content, & Graphic Nudity"

ALIEN: ROMULUS Still Gives Us A New Look At One Of The Movie's Xenomorphs

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Action-Packed Final Trailer Features Lots Of New Footage

Cartoons & Animated Features

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Breaks Down "Tolerance Is Extinction" And Reveals Whether That Was The Amazing [SPOILER]

SAUSAGE PARTY: FOODTOPIA - Prime Video's Sequel Series Gets A Suitably Salacious First Poster

X-MEN '97's Latest Episode Features An Intriguing Link To The MCU's Wider Multiverse Saga - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97 Spoilers: Bastion Enacts His Plan But There's A Huge Twist...And A Game-Changing Return

X-MEN '97 Features Some Huge Cameos...Including A Spectacular Marvel Superhero - SPOILERS

MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN Sets Season 2 Premiere Date With First Trailer & New Poster

Gaming

STARFIELD Update Brings Improved Surface Maps, New Gameplay Options And More

Xbox Games Showcase Confirmed For June 9 Followed By Possible First Look At CALL OF DUTY

Team-Based Shooter STAR WARS: HUNTERS Sets A June Release Date

PALWORLD: More Pals Set To Arrive This Summer In Newly Teased Update

STARFIELD: SHATTERED SPACE Expansion Coming This Fall; Bethesda Teases Another New Update Soon

FALLOUT Is Prime Video's Most-Watched Debut After THE RINGS OF POWER

Anime & Manga

MY HERO ACADEMIA Shigaraki Voice Actor Teases Big Show Down With Star And Stripe In Season 7

DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO Trailer Reveals More Powerful Characters Joining The Roster

GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Reveals Slayer As Final Season 3 DLC Fighter

HATSUNE MIKU Is Coming To MAGIC: THE GATHERING SECRET LAIR

Star And Stripe Character Visual Revealed Ahead Of MY HERO ACADEMIA Season 7 Premiere

New ONE PIECE Prequel Novel For Roronoa Zoro Announced

Horror

M3GAN 2.0 Casts AHSOKA Star Ivanna Sakhno In Major Role

TERRIFIER 3: Art The Clown Is Up To His Old Tricks In First Official Promo Still

AVENGELYNE: Margot Robbie Eyeing Lead Role In Olivia Wilde's Comic Book Adaptation

FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN - Return To Shadyside With First Official BTS Teaser

IN A VIOLENT NATURE Teaser Highlights Stellar Reviews Along With Terrifying New Footage

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES Features A Cameo From ANOTHER Member Of THE SANDMAN's Family - SPOILERS

Action Movies & TV