Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow deny Iron Man 2 feud rumors, say their MCU journey is over

Don’t expect Black Widow or Pepper Potts to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon, if ever. According to Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow, their time in the MCU has ended. Speaking with Paltrow on The Goop Podcast, Johansson joined her Marvel co-star to discuss “clean beauty, how she manages to stay off social media, what she’s learned from her marriage,” and, yes, their time spent in the MCU. Johansson and Paltrow collaborated on 2010’s Iron Man 2, with rumors swirling that the duo did not get along. Now, they’re here to set the record straight.

“People ask me, ‘Is it true that you and Scarlett Johansson didn’t get along on ‘Iron Man’?” Paltrow recalls during the interview.

“Is that a rumor?” Johansson responded, sounding genuinely surprised. “You were so nice to me on that movie. I was so petrified. You were so nice to me! You could’ve been awful. I was so out of my comfort zone on that movie. I’d never done anything like that before. Plus, you had established such deep friendships.”

Paltrow told Johansson the Iron Man cast was “so psyched you were there,” adding, “I was so happy to have another woman around.”

When Iron Man 2 was released, the MCU did not feature as many women as it does now. The MCU has grown by leaps and bounds throughout the years. Still, those early days were grim.

“You kept telling me that,” Johansson said. “Then I experienced that later on. When I did ‘Avengers,’ I was one of the few [women]… it was like a big sausage party.”

Paltrow told Johansson she could relate and felt the same when she walked onto the Iron Man set. Paltrow says it felt foreign to see so few women participating in the launch of a cinematic universe. While the MCU was still laying the groundwork for a bright future, some aspects of the start felt off.

“It was fun to be in something that resonated so deeply with people culturally,” Paltrow said. “I had never been in that kind of a blockbuster franchise thing either. It was new for me. But then you went on and did all of those huge films.”

The duo also addressed their MCU futures, and neither appears eager to return for more superhero shenanigans.

“I’m done,” Johansson confirmed. “Chapter is over. I did all that I had to do. Also coming back and playing a character again and again, over a decade of time, is such a unique experience.”

Johansson asked Paltrow if she was done playing Pepper Potts, to which she said, “I think so. I mean, I didn’t die so they can always ask me.”

“I think you may come back at some point,” Johansson quipped.

“Really?” Paltrow said. “A 64-year-old Pepper Potts? How great.”

“100% that’s happening. I can see it. They’re never gonna let you go. Break out that wig, baby,” Johansson half-joked.

Paltrow continued the discussion by saying she thinks she’s too old to climb into the Rescue suit for another film. She also says her Avengers: Endgame cameo was more of a favor than a desire to return to that world.

“It was such a wonderful experience making the first ‘Iron Man’ and then to watch how important it has become to the fans,” Paltrow said fondly.

I’m confident the MCU could find ways to bring Black Widow back (after her emotional death in Avengers: Endgame). Still, let Natasha rest and focus on new characters. As for Pepper, there’s room for her to return, though Paltrow must be convinced to play the part. Again, I think it’s wise for the MCU to move forward and let the legacy of these characters remain in the past. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.