Hayley Atwell recently expressed her thoughts on Captain Carter’s treatment in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, sparking hope among fans that she may get a more prominent role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) moving forward. Atwell’s portrayal of Captain Carter has gained recognition, second only to her beloved role as Peggy Carter. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from her portrayal of Peggy in various MCU projects, including the Agent Carter series, undoubtedly contributed to her continued appearances in the franchise, allowing her character to evolve beyond her initial introduction in Captain America: The First Avenger.
The emergence of the multiverse has opened up new possibilities in the MCU, as shown by the various iterations of Peggy Carter. While Earth-616’s Peggy lived a fulfilling life and died of old age, alternate versions have appeared across different realities. Many of these variants have undergone Project Rebirth, taking on the role of Captain Carter, which reimagines the iconic Captain America imagery through a British lens. Unfortunately, Captain Carter’s live-action portrayal in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did not fully capture her potential.
Hayley Atwell’s Recent Comments Highlight Captain Carter’s Undermining
Captain Carter’s Dismal Fate After a Heroic Declaration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atdh8mGNsPI
During an appearance on Reign with Josh Smith, Atwell candidly recounted her experience on the set of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She voiced her concerns regarding Captain Carter’s brief and violent appearance, where she and her fellow Illuminati members faced a rapid defeat at the hands of Scarlet Witch. Atwell humorously noted the irony of Captain Carter’s valiant declaration, “I could do this all day,”only to meet a sudden demise via her own shield, highlighting a significant undermining of her character. In her own words:
I was doing a cameo in Doctor Strange [In the Multiverse of Madness]…as Captain Carter, and it’s like blink, and you miss me, and I really sort of took umbrage on the fact that she has that brilliant line, “I could do this all day”, then she’s frisbeed[sic] to death with her own shield, and I’m like “She’s so undermined!”
Despite Atwell’s light-hearted delivery, her critique underscores a valid point. As one of the most powerful heroes of Earth-838, Captain Carter’s abilities, while impressive, were overshadowed by the likes of Black Bolt and Captain Marvel. Consequently, her demise at the hands of her own shield felt particularly ignoble. Moreover, Atwell’s commentary illuminates how her character’s last words become almost comically ironic, given the subsequent turn of events.
Captain Carter is a Significant Multiverse Character
The Protagonist of What If…?
Atwell’s return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness came after her initial foray as Captain Carter in the premiere episode of What If…?, which debuted on August 11, 2021. Titled “What If…Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?”, this episode showcased the series’ unique premise—exploring alternate narratives resulting from slight deviations in the storyline. Captain Carter would proceed to feature prominently in seven additional episodes over the series’ three seasons.
While the reception of her character as the de facto protagonist among the cast was mixed, it signifies Captain Carter’s vital role in the MCU multiverse. In fact, she eventually commands the Guardians of the Multiverse in season 3 of What If…?, even achieving near-godhood before sacrificing herself to save Uatu the Watcher. Consequently, Captain Carter emerges as a crucial character in the multiverse, rivaled only by significant entities like Uatu himself.
Rumored Return of Hayley Atwell in Avengers: Doomsday
While Captain Carter made a notable mark in What If…?, many casual MCU fans may not have recognized her significance, especially after her abrupt defeat in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, recent reports indicate that Hayley Atwell is set to make her return in Avengers: Doomsday and potentially in future MCU projects. This news, initially reported by Deadline, is exciting, though it came alongside speculation regarding Chris Evans’ possible return.
It is hard to envision Peggy’s return isolated from Steve Rogers. While the initial reports suggested both characters may reappear, Chris Evans has denied his involvement, casting doubt on these claims. Yet, confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, Atwell has reportedly finalized a deal to return for both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Although her specific role remains unannounced, her established presence in the multiverse strongly suggests that audiences might witness another variant of Captain Carter or perhaps a return to her original Peggy Carter role.
Moreover, Marvel honcho Kevin Feige confirmed that a range of superhero teams, including the Avengers and X-Men, will unite to face the formidable Doctor Doom. Interestingly, though Atwell’s name was absent from the initial cast disclosure during Marvel’s live stream, Feige’s comments indicate that additional cast members will be announced, leaving open the possibility of her involvement and also perhaps that of Chris Evans.
Reintroducing Peggy Carter without Steve Rogers is a challenging concept. The MCU has laid the groundwork for emotionally rich storylines, particularly with Robert Downey Jr.’s promising return as Doctor Doom, identified as a familiar face by Earth-616’s Avengers. The potential for interaction between various timelines and characters makes the return of Peggy Carter all the more compelling. However, at present, Marvel has yet to confirm her return.
Avengers: Doomsday Could Offer Redemption for Captain Carter
Regardless of the outcome, Avengers: Doomsday presents a prime opportunity for Captain Carter’s redemption following her lackluster demise in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The narrative could explore her survival, countering the heavy-handed portrayal of her initial demise, which primarily served to underline Scarlet Witch’s dominant powers. Instead, What If…? has showcased Marvel’s ability to elevate Captain Carter into a robust superhero role.
Should the reports hold true, Atwell’s Captain Carter may not only survive the events of Avengers: Doomsday but could also continue her journey into Avengers: Secret Wars. While specific details about Secret Wars remain speculative, rumors of a potential soft reboot for the MCU after its high-stakes events indicate that few characters might make it through — positioning Captain Carter’s demise in this context potentially more palatable than in her first live-action outing.
Sources: Reign with Josh Smith/YouTube, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter