Fans are always more invested in a movie when the actors seem to care about the characters they are playing. That is especially true in the long-term commitment often attached to comic-book movie characters.
While these types of movies are riding the high of the golden era of the genre, actors investing in their superhero counterparts has always been something that evokes a pop from any crowd. One of the first actors to ever do it, Michael Keaton, still picks his spots to gain applause with his signature catchphrase, "I'm Batman." He could do it on social media once a day, every day, and no one would ever get tired of it.
That is the beauty of comic book movie fandom. Fans get to fall in love with the actors just as much as the characters.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has taken that "stan" vibe to another level with the longevity of these movies, characters, and the actors who play them. The three-picture deal attached to most major blockbuster IPs is still alive and well, but the MCU has added frequent crossover and team-up movie events. This allows these actors to get more time with their characters than ever before.
And it is not just about the big names like Downey and Evans. The supporting characters behind these major franchises are being featured in projects beyond their origin more and more. For example, Pepper Potts is a staple character in the Iron Man franchise who has spent time in three Avengers movies and Spider-Man: Homecoming. This has allowed Gwyneth Paltrow to go from charismatic assistant, to love interest, all the way to getting armor of her own.
Fans loved seeing Pepper finally suit up, but even more than that, they loved seeing Paltrow so excited and proud about her role in the MCU. She expressed that excitement yet again in a recent Instagram post.
A New Look at Pepper Pott's Rescue Armor
Gwyneth Paltrow took to Instagram to share a new behind-the-scenes look at Avengers: Endgame. The image shows Paltrow in her Rescue armor alongside Chris Pratt and Chris Evans, both of whom were also in costume on set. The post shows Evans in his Endgame Captain America suit and Pratt in his Star-Lord gear as well, along with the caption:
This was me in a costume at some point
Gwyneth Paltrow: MCU Hall of Famer
Seeing this post by Gwyneth Paltrow is a sight for sore eyes. The legendary actor has been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from day one. Her iconic role in this crazy Marvel world was only amplified in Avengers: Endgame when Pepper Potts joined the fight in her blue "Rescue" Iron Man armor.
Many look at Iron Man as the tone-setter for the greatest movie franchise in the history of movie franchises. Beyond that, Robert Downey Jr. takes much of the credit for being such a big part of that tone. But it is important not to forget that Pepper Potts, who started as the lovable assistant to Tony Stark, was a key part in Downey Jr. being able to bring such charisma and charm.
Being able to act off of Paltrow in a role so reliant on chemistry was such an advantage for Downey Jr. and something he has said makes the Tony Stark character work. Pepper Potts in the MCU is a character that has been the bar in which all other supporting characters are measured for the years to come.
Another staple of the MCU is the payoff. Pepper spent the majority of her time as the only one who could keep Tony Stark in line with brief moments of heroism throughout her six appearances. And then Avengers: Endgame hit, and Pepper got her hands dirty. The portals scene will forever go down as one of the greatest moments in movie history. Every aspect of that scene is crucial to the immeasurable hype surrounding it.
The least of which is Pepper landing in the middle of the battle in her patented steel blue "Rescue" armor. It was hype at the moment, and it was hype after the fact once fans realized that the color of the armor was the same color as the dress Paltrow wore in Iron Man 11 years earlier. This is the perfect example of a supporting character being embedded into the MCU DNA, being able to simply show up and get a pop from the crowd.
This behind-the-scenes look at Endgame is not a tease that Paltrow may soon be coming back to the MCU. She said earlier this year that the door is still open but only in a cameo capacity. But still, fans can rest easy knowing that the person responsible for bringing Pepper Potts to life is a fan of this universe and continues to be a part of this community.
Avengers: Endgame is available to stream now on Disney+.
