The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a giant franchise, one that’s constantly expanding thanks to projects in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that Hayley Atwell has a habit of making cameos as Peggy Carter, including in Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And the actress can’t stop, won’t stop complaining about how her signature character was treated in that blockbuster.
You never which upcoming Marvel movies Hayley Atwell will pop up in, and her appearing as Captain Carter in Doctor Strange 2 was a thrilling moment. But Atwell has been open about how “frustrating” the cameo was, mostly because of how quickly Wanda killed Peggy. During a recent convention appearance (via Instagram), the Mission: Impossible actress spoke more about her disappointment in Captain Carter’s first live-action appearance, saying:
If I’m really brutally honest, I was so disappointed with how they positioned her and what happened to her in that scene. It’s so small, and she gets frisbeed to death. After saying a line ‘I could do this all day.’ And then it’s frisbee to death. And we’re like ‘No you couldn’t.’
Honestly, I get it. Atwell has been playing version of Peggy Carter since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, so she’s got understandably strong feelings about her signature character. Captain Carter previously debuted in What If…?, so the idea of bringing her to live-action was thrilling. Unfortunately she had a brief role and was unceremoniously murdered by Wanda.
Haley Atwell took umbrage with Peggy’s treatment in the Sam Raimi flick, and years later she hasn’t changed her tune. Later in the same convention appearance, she expanded upon her feelings, offering:
And then people going ‘She’s so lame.’ So I felt that was a bum steer and a complete disservice to the character. And I tried on set to kind of go ‘Can I just add? Can I just suggest?’ And they were like ‘Sure, but no.’
Points were made. As much as I loved seeing Wanda rip apart the Illumanti in Doctor Strange 2, Captain Carter’s death was a bummer… especially after she said Steve Roger’s signature line.
Luckily for the fandom, Hayley Atwell is expected to reprise her role as part of the Doomsday cast list. Steve will somehow be recruited to battle Doctor Doom after getting his happy ending with Peggy in Endgame. It’s unclear how big her role will be, but fans love anytime Atwell appears.
All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. With the multiverse in play seemingly anything could happen in the next two Avengers flicks.
