Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts in Iron Man 3

[marcvader]

The main reason my girlfriend is into the IM movies is to see the Tony/Pepper relationship. She loves that type of stuff.

[cherokeesam]

Originally Posted by marcvader

The main reason my girlfriend is into the IM movies is to see the Tony/Pepper relationship. She loves that type of stuff.

But if --- and it's still a very big "IF" --- IM3 winds up being RDJ's farewell to the character, I doubt even fans of Tony-Pepper are going to be nearly as invested in seeing that relationship continue with a new actor in the armor. Nor, I'd wager, would Gwyneth Paltrow. That would free up the *new* Tony Stark to pursue new main squeezes like Bethany Cabe or Whitney Frost in future movies.

[Dark Raven]

If we ever get Bethany Cabe, she needs to be a darker red, almost auburn compared to Gwyneth's Pepper. However, Gwyneth was darker in IM1 and that scene where he's dancing with her when she's all glammed up does actually make her look like Bethany.

[DarthSkywalker]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Most people really really like the Tony/Pepper relationship. Not certain fanboys who hate the female leads in all of these films, of course, or the tumblr fangirls who just want to see Steve and Tony get it on. But for the casual moviegoer, that relationship is one of the major reasons they like the flicks.

Definitely. I personally find it to be one of my favorite things about the series and my entire family agrees. The lack of Pepper in IM 2 was one of its bigger problems imo.

[Human Torch]

If Gwen leaves the series,I'd rather she marry Happy instead of getting killed off.But I doubt either will happen.

The problem with introducing Cabe as a new love interest is that she was his "bodyguard" in the comics.In the MCU everyone knows Tony is IM,so I don't know if they'll just give her Pepper's role.

[Dark Raven]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

If Gwen leaves the series,I'd rather she marry Happy instead of getting killed off.But I doubt either will happen.

The problem with introducing Cabe as a new love interest is that she was his "bodyguard" in the comics.In the MCU everyone knows Tony is IM,so I don't know if they'll just give her Pepper's role.

Bethany Cabe was a security specialist and simply appointed herself as Tony's bodyguard (while at the same time being his girlfriend) because she didn't think Iron Man was terribly effective or professional about the way he conducted himself. This was while Tony was going through his alcoholic problems, so of course IM didn't always act professionally. However, she later figured out they were one and the same so didn't question IM's professionalism.

Later on she was just Stark's head of security at Stark Enterprises. So never really a "bodyguard" as such. Back in the early days she just liked to think she was but everyone knew she really wasn't. So I don't see any problem with introducing her as a love interest. She could just be head of security, which is kind of Happy's role in the MCU, but he is also Tony's chauffeur so they could have differently designated roles which don't overlap.

[Hypestyle]

Originally Posted by Dark Raven

I'd like to see more short shorts, long legs and bare feet as in her Avengers appearance. She should just turn up to the office like that.

yep. No "rescue" needed yet, maybe part 4..

[mclay18]

I don't think IM3 is RDJ's true farewell to the character, just an indication his agents will drive up his asking price for a new multi-film contract when the pic opens next year. Marvel Studios will want him for Avengers 2 and Avengers 3... and maybe Iron Man 4?

I think RDJ's willingness to play Tony Stark is similar to Johnny Depp wanting to keep playing Jack Sparrow. And considering RDJ and Gwyneth are BFFs, if he leaves after IM3, then you can kiss her goodbye too. But if he stays on, she'll keep playing Pepper until she gets tired of it.

[747]

Originally Posted by marcvader

She loves that type of stuff.

Who doesn't? I'm a sucker for good love stuff. And the love stuff between Pepper and Tony has been mostly good indeed!

[UnionJack]

Can someone explain why people "love" the Tony/Pepper thing.
Me and alot of people I know can't stand her character, she is very cold and boring.

Her not being in the films wouldn't take away anything from the film.

While she might be a "strong business" woman she isn't a strong character, moaning at someone isn't a strong characteristic.

[747]

She's very sympathetic and genuine. Every character doesn't need to be strong or unique to resonate.

[DrCosmic]

Originally Posted by UnionJack

Can someone explain why people "love" the Tony/Pepper thing.
Me and alot of people I know can't stand her character, she is very cold and boring.

Her not being in the films wouldn't take away anything from the film.

While she might be a "strong business" woman she isn't a strong character, moaning at someone isn't a strong characteristic.

She's the one person who cares about Tony despite how terrible a person he is. She's the one person who sees him as more than an adolescent power fantasy. Now if that's all you want from Iron Man, then I suppose the only person who cares about him would seem like she's just 'moaning.' It's too bad you're missing that part of the Iron Man story though, it's one of the best relationships action movies have ever had.

[DACrowe]

She's popular because she has a real personality. She and RDJ have great chemistry and when they play-off each other, it is very oddball, comedic and the like (think His Girl Friday.). Usually the female lead is a throaway part with no real personality beyond being devoted to the hero (see every other MCU film), but Paltrow's Pepper feels like a real person who both cares for Tony and is irritated by him. Plus, again, her chemistry with Downey is very entertaining.

I really do not know why someone would dislike her other than she actually has a give-and-take with the hero and isn't just an accessory like most female leads in this genre. Oh well.

[Excelsior.]

She is the only love interest in a Superhero film that genuinely registers as the soulmate of the hero. No other superhero film has accomplished that feat.

[DACrowe]

Batman Returns did.

But I see your point. Though I do like what Nolan with Catwoman in the third film.

[ThePhantasm]

I think Paltrow's Pepper is fantastic. I don't get the complaints about her. The character works very well.

[Excelsior.]

Well, Batman/Catwoman are special in the sense that they are soulmates that can never be together as long as they continue to don their masks (Nolan's version notwithstanding), so I didn't count it.

[DrCosmic]

^Nolan's version was consistent with that, iirc.

[chamber-music]

Gwyneth was good at playing Chubby Bunny on the Jamie Oliver show