Hayley Atwell Reveals Marvel Shot Several Peggy Carter Storylines for ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ and Some Got Cut
Few characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe carry as much emotional weight as Peggy Carter. From her debut in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ to her alternate-universe heroics as Captain Carter, Hayley Atwell has played the role across films, television and animation. So when the actress talks about how her upcoming return was shaped, fans pay attention to every word about Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter storylines in ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’
The film is set to arrive in theaters on December 18, with the Russo brothers directing. It brings together characters from the pre-MCU era, the Infinity Saga and the Multiverse Saga, all facing the same threat as their universes come under danger. With plot details tightly guarded, any behind-the-scenes insight has become valuable currency for fans.
Atwell shared the details while promoting her new MGM+ series ‘Treasure Island,’ appearing on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast alongside co-star David Oyelowo, who plays Long John Silver. When asked about ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ she explained that Marvel filmed multiple versions of her story. As she said on The Playlist, “We tried different things, we shot different things.”
She added that some of those storylines were developed further while others dropped away. The comments confirm that the film’s story was still being tweaked during production, and that not everything that was filmed made it into the final cut. Atwell framed it as part of a process aimed at finding what makes the most sense for the characters and the part they play in this chapter.
Rather than sounding frustrated, Atwell expressed strong confidence in the studio. She described the film as extremely ambitious and said she believes Marvel knows exactly what it’s doing to satisfy fan expectations and go beyond them. She also pointed to a meticulous level of care in trying to delight audiences.
That tone matters because the reshaping of storylines can sometimes signal trouble. Atwell’s remarks suggest a different story, in which the creative team deliberately tested several approaches. The Russos have echoed a similar approach to building these giant crossover events.
Peggy’s arc in the MCU has been bittersweet. ‘Avengers: Endgame’ ended with Steve Rogers traveling back in time to live the life he never had with her, which gave fans a happy ending that now looks complicated by a new Avengers film. Atwell was asked whether she had reservations about Marvel reopening that chapter.
The character has also had a rocky live-action history. Atwell played Peggy in the ‘Captain America’ films, in ‘Ant-Man’ and in the two-season ‘Agent Carter’ series, and she has voiced Captain Carter in the animated ‘What If…?’ since 2021. Her live-action Captain Carter debut in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ ended with the Scarlet Witch killing her, a scene she has called a disservice to the character.
He used to be different. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere December 18. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/J5PUbxvAkc https://t.co/OUutSMZneq
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 15, 2026
Atwell’s return was first reported by Deadline in December 2024, shortly after Chris Evans was reported to be coming back as well. Marvel Studios officially confirmed her involvement at San Diego Comic-Con this year, but it has not clarified which version of Peggy she will play. Fans are debating whether she’ll be the Sacred Timeline Agent Carter who founded S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Captain Carter variant.
Atwell has also suited up in the Captain Carter costume for Comic-Con, and she has said the character was fun in that guise and that she’d like to see more of it. Those comments feed the optimism around a bigger role this time. The existence of several filmed versions of her story, though, means any prediction remains uncertain.
The takeaway for fans is that the version of Peggy audiences see in December may be only one of several that were explored. That’s not unusual for large franchise films, but it’s rare for a cast member to say so openly. It also helps explain why Marvel has kept so much of the movie under wraps.
With ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ set for December 17, 2027, the stakes for ‘Doomsday’ are enormous. A film juggling so many returning characters and timelines will inevitably leave material on the cutting room floor. If Atwell’s comments are any indication, Peggy’s journey was one of the most carefully tested.
Which version of Peggy Carter do you most want to see in Avengers: Doomsday?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
