Aug 06, 2026 5:08pm IST
Hayley Atwell Calls ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ an ‘Existential Epic,’ Teases New Side of Peggy Carter
Hayley Atwell has teased a fresh chapter for Peggy Carter in Marvel Studios' highly anticipated "Avengers: Doomsday," revealing that fans will see the beloved character pushed into unfamiliar territory. Without revealing major plot details, Atwell described the upcoming superhero film as an "Existential Epic.” She hinted at a story that reshapes the Marvel Cinematic Universe and places Peggy in one of her toughest situations yet.
"Without giving anything away, I think you have a movie that is an existential epic. The whole thing’s turned on its head. It’s not a world you kind of really recognize. There are aspects of it that are familiar, but that feel very heightened and vulnerable. With Peggy, she’s on the receiving end of that. She is in a dangerous and terrifying situation. She is hypervigilant the whole time,” she revealed.
Related Stories
Known throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a dependable character, Peggy Carter has often been portrayed as the moral compass in high-pressure situations. Atwell suggested that "Avengers: Doomsday" will challenge those defining traits while allowing audiences to see a more layered version of the character.
When asked how Peggy's trusted reputation shapes her role amongst the team, Atwell said, “That’s an interesting thing to point out about her without giving anything away. She is always considered the adult in the room, the one with the uniform. You can trust and rely on her. She’s a good person. It’s always fun to play something that feels a little bit more expansive than that. I think it’s a little bit more nuanced because that makes her more human and relatable. I had no desire to go over old ground with her. I wanted something new to do. I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t say more than that. But that’s what I hope has landed."
Popular on Variety
"Avengers: Doomsday" is scheduled to release on December 18, 2026. Alongside Atwell, it stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh and more.
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.