Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘Retired’ Gwyneth Paltrow says just one actor could convince her to make another film

‘He could probably always get me back,’ Oscar-winning Goop founder said

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 08 November 2023 11:53 GMT
Comments
Avengers: Endgame - trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Gwyneth Paltrow has said there is only one star who could convince her to come out of retirement and appear in another film.

The Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love star made good of her promise to step away from the movie industry after fulfilling her Marvel requirements in 2019 with an appearance in Avengers: Endgame.

Over the years, Paltrow, the founder of wellness brand Goop, has been vocal about her increasing disdain for the rigmarole surrounding the job, telling Bazaar in 2020: “When I was acting I really burned myself out. When the flywheel kicked in, I was doing three to five movies a year.

“I really got to the point where even the little things, like sitting in the van going to set, getting your makeup touch-ups, and everything – I really don’t know that I can bear it.”

With no movie roles lined up, Paltrow has said there is just one actor who could convince her to return to the profession: her Avengers co-star Robert Downey Jr.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York earlier this week, Paltrow said: “It would be very hard for me to do any acting right at the moment, just because of my job. But I guess Robert Downey Jr could probably always get me back.”

These comments follow a revent Variety report claiming that Marvel is hoping to lure Downey Jr back to the Marvel Cinematic universe (MCU) following a downturn in profits in recent years. If Iron Man actor Downey Jr agrees to return, it seems likely he would ask Paltrow to reprise the role of his wife, Pepper Potts.

However, in 2021, self-proclaimed “homebody” Paltrow previously said she did not like starring in blockbusters as it required her to be “in hotel rooms alone for six months”, stating: ‘It’s just not who I am.”

Speaking on SiriusFM’s Quarantined with Bruce, Paltrow said that “part of the shine of acting wore off” because of the “intense public scrutiny” she was under after winning Best Actress at the 1999 Oscars.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

“I think that when you hit the bullseye when you’re 26 years old, and you’re a metrics-driven person who frankly doesn’t love acting that much as it turns out, I was kinda like, ‘Ok’,” she said.

Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Iron Man’
Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Iron Man’ (Marvel Studios)

“It wasn’t like I think this isn’t worth doing, I sort of felt like, well, now who am I supposed to be? Like, what am I driving towards?”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in