Just when you thought Gwyneth Paltrow and the Marvel Cinematic Universe had gone their separate ways, the Pepper Potts actress swings by for a brief cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming – and just in time for a possible engagement to Tony Stark, no less.
It seems Paltrow’s surprise appearance wasn’t just a flash in the pan, either; instead, it looks as though Marvel is rustling up a pretty big arc for Pepper Potts. At least, that’s based on a recent Instagram story from Gwyneth Paltrow herself (via ComicBook.com), who shared two photos in between takes on Avengers 4: a selfie that came tethered with the caption, “waiting to go on set #pepperpotts,” along with a photo of what we assume to be the on-set doctor. But it’s the motion-capture gear that really has people talking.
Embedded below, you’ll see that Paltrow is suited up and ready for a CG-enhanced performance, which can mean one of two things: either Potts will take control of an Iron Man suit come 2019, or Joe and Anthony Russo have a surprise up their collective sleeve for Avengers 4. Both theories are equally plausible, of course, and we invite you to leave your own thoughts and predictions in the comments section below.
Because let’s face it: with Avengers: Infinity War right around the corner, it’s unlikely Marvel will post any official intel on its so-far unnamed Avengers sequel until long into 2018, by which point fans will have already caught Black Panther and Ant-Man and the Wasp on the silver screen.
If nothing else, this story clue suggests Pepper Potts still has a fairly major role to play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is only fitting when you consider that she’s been around since day one, when the idea of uniting Earth’s Mightiest Heroes was but a pipe dream.
Expect Marvel’s Phase 3 to reach its epic conclusion when Avengers 4 rolls off the production line in 2019.