Gwyneth Paltrow Interview: Is Iron Man 3's Pepper Potts Ready To Become An Avenger

Details: Category: Interviews; Created: Wednesday, 24 April 2013 09:25; Published: Wednesday, 24 April 2013 09:25; Written by Lupe Haas

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts finally gets her long overdue “kick ass” moment in the Iron Man franchise when she dons the suit and saves Robert Downey, Jr. as seen in the trailer. But could Gwyneth imagine herself as an Avenger perhaps?

Listen to the interview below.

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Unfortunately for Pepper Potts in the Iron Man movies, Paltrow’s character has been relegated to playing the damsel in distress and Tony Stark’s girlfriend who keeps him grounded. That all might be changing in the third installment of the Iron Man franchise. As the trailer teases, Pepper gets a taste for the iron when Tony armors her up in one his suits to shield her from Mandarin’s attack on his Malibu home and in turn, she saves Tony from falling debris as his house crumbles into the ocean. Is this just a taste of what’s to come for Pepper Potts, who in the comic books becomes an iron maiden aka Rescue? Many have been waiting for Pepper to spring into action finally.

During a Los Angeles press conference with Robert Downey Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley, and Don Cheadle, CineMovie asked whether Paltrow would be open to becoming an Avenger. Who can say no, right?

Robert Downey, Jr. said Pepper Potts’ arc was “really overdue” and its something he’s been wanting to see for a while. Paltrow is also excited for her character to evolve and has received great reception from press during the IRON MAN 3 international press tour. "People really love to see Pepper in the suit and kicking ass,” said the mother of two. In regards to becoming an Avenger herself, Paltrow would be happy to oblige. Robert offered some funny comments during Paltrow’s answer to the question.

Gwyneth: I would come back. In the comics, she becomes her own…. She becomes Rescue, her own person.

Robert: And she marries Happy Hogan.

Gwyneth: Ah, yeah!

Robert: That might be for the adult channel.

CineMovie’s question caused some commotion at the Los Angeles press conference with Don Cheadle feeling left out of the question about wanting to be an Avenger. “I think you want to ask me if I want to be in the Avengers,” he fired back.

Another contentious debate between the IRON MAN 3 stars was the weight of the Iron Man suits. Both Downey and Cheadle complained that wearing the heavy suits were the biggest issue when they first became Iron Men. Paltrow, however, countered their complaints saying it wasn’t that bad in this funny interchange between the co-stars.

Don: Mine weighed 7 thousand pounds. What are you talking about? It's not lightweight.

Gwyneth: These guys are wimps, ok. The suits weren’t that bad.

Don: You never put it on. It was CGI.

Paltrow: I did wear the suit.

Don: You didn’t wear MY suit.

Robert: I admit we’re wimps. In Iron Man 2, Don’s suit was so hard to even pick up.

Robert later countered Gwyneth’s claim about the suits.

Robert: And Gwyneth by the way, she did come in and she was having a ball and her kids where there. She was in rockin’ shape. So it was all nice and easy. I think she wore it once or twice. It’s an accumulative issue.

Don: Thank you.

Robert: You’re very welcome Sir.

Gwyneth: Oh, god!

Gwyneth, in addition, spoke about her feeling of uneasiness at a new director taking the helm from Jon Favreau for the third installment. She admits it was “uncomfortable” working with Shane Black, but eventually she “warmed up” to him when she saw him in action, albeit in “terrible outfits,” with his “sharp,” “smart,” and incredible dialogue. Shane Black took it up a “notch,” according to the actress, which is difficult to do on the third outing. Unlike the other two Iron Man films, production began with a “really excellent finished screenplay,” which also put her mind at ease with Robert Downey, Jr. choice for the new director.

Shane Black certainly not only took it up a “notch” in IRON MAN 3, but also set up Pepper Potts’ bright future as a possible Avenger. CineMovie, for one, can’t wait to see that transformation in the next Iron Man outing or sooner in the next Avenger movie.

IRON MAN 3 is in movie theaters May 3, 2013.