Atwell Calls Captain Carter’s Death ‘A Complete Disservice’
Hayley Atwell calls Peggy Carter's death in Doctor Strange 'a complete disservice' to the character.
The update
Hayley Atwell has publicly criticized how her character’s death was handled in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Speaking at the For the Love of Fantasy & Sci-Fi convention in London, Atwell called the scene a “bum steer” and a “complete disservice” to Captain Carter. The alternate version of Peggy Carter, who wields a Union Jack shield as part of the Illuminati, is quickly defeated by the Scarlet Witch. Atwell noted the moment felt small and anticlimactic, particularly after she attempted to suggest alternative ways to stage the fight on set.
Why it matters
Atwell’s comments highlight a disconnect between the creative vision for Captain Carter and the execution seen on screen. The character was introduced with high expectations as a female version of Captain America, but her brief appearance and death served primarily to demonstrate the Scarlet Witch’s power rather than develop the Captain Carter storyline. For fans who have followed Peggy Carter’s journey from the early MCU films to her alternate timeline, the handling of her death raises questions about the character’s legacy within the franchise.
What to watch
Atwell is set to return in Avengers: Doomsday. Whether Marvel will address the criticism or reframe Captain Carter’s story remains to be seen. Readers should watch for how future projects handle the character and whether any explanation is provided for the scene in question.
Sources
- ign.com — Atwell's comments at the For the Love of Fantasy & Sci-Fi convention and details about the scene.
- polygon.com — Confirmation of Atwell's return in Avengers: Doomsday and additional context on the scene's impact.