Pepper Potts Absent From ‘Captain America: Civil War’ — Is Gwyneth Paltrow Done With Marvel? [Spoilers]

If you’ve seen Captain America: Civil War, then you know how entertaining and sad the film turned out to be. Fans were left watching Iron Man and his supports dual it out with Team Captain America over the Sokovia Accords issue that fractured the Avengers. But, another saddening point in the film was a scene revealing that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) had seemingly broken up.

As fans already know, Paltrow appeared in all three Iron Man films and The Avengers. However, the Stark Industries coordinator and Tony’s leading lady was nowhere to be found in Age of Ultron. The break-up news in Civil War gave fans the first acceptable explanation.

According to Bustle, Paltrow had a three-movie deal with Marvel which concluded at the end of Iron Man 3. But, the three Iron Man films plus her part in Avengers makes a total of four movies.

Paltrow previously stated in an interview with Empire that the only reason she was featured in the Avengers was that Robert Downey Jr. insisted she be in it. She also said that her character’s addition to the film was a last minute decision.

To explain why Pepper Potts wasn’t in the movie, Empire Online spoke with the film’s directors, Joe and Anthony Russo. The Russo brothers also cleared up rumors that Paltrow had filmed scenes for Captain America: Civil War that were later edited out.

“That wasn’t true,” Joe Russo explained. “The intent was always to put Tony in a very vulnerable place. We needed him off-balance for the way he behaved in the third act. He’s lost Pepper. He’s feeling an incredible amount of guilt. The movie tries to dig at the emotional trigger points so that by the time we reach that third act; his emotions will have superseded his logic.”

Anthony also explained that the sheer size of the cast made it easier to leave Potts out of the picture.

“In a crowded movie, we decided early on that we could make Pepper’s break-up have an emotional impact without actually having a scene with her,” he stated.

The Russo brothers also gave viewers a good explanation of why Potts and Stark were taking a break from their relationship. Movie News Guide explained that in Civil War, Stark tells Captain America that Potts grew tired of Tony lying to her about never making robots again. Of course, he was referring to the events in Iron Man 3, where he nearly lost Potts. It’s after that incident, he tells Cap that he made a promise to never create robots again.

Of course, that promise was shattered when Stark created Ultron in Age of Ultron. Despite not appearing in the last two Marvel movies, the Russos did not give any hints that Pepper will or won’t be in future films.

But, don’t give up hope just yet, because Paltrow has expressed interest in playing the role of Pepper Potts again. She already shared that she would be open to appearing in future Marvel films if the franchise gave her the option. She also stated that she loves playing Pepper and working with R.D.J.

Meanwhile, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) weren’t’ in Civil War, either. Though they were mentioned, their whereabouts went unknown. Given that those two are still major players in the Avengers universe, and with Paltrow’s interest in reprising her role, Marvel could give her some screen time in the upcoming two-part epic, Infinity War.

For now, fans can remain hopeful that Paltrow’s absence is only temporary, and that Tony Stark won’t be seen with a new lover in future films.

Marvel fans, tell us what you think! Even though she was absent from Captain America: Civil War, do you want to see Pepper Potts return in future films? Let us know in the comments below.

[Image via Marvel Studios]