What Does Gwyneth Paltrow Do in Spider-Man Homecoming? SPOILERS WITHIN!

Not many people enjoy spoilers, so be warned: This post reveals a few big moments from the already hugely successful new Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Homecoming starring East Hampton homeowner Robert Downey Jr. and, briefly, Amagansett’s Gwyneth Paltrow.

PROCEED TO SPOILERS BELOW:

So, you’re here to find out what Paltrow is doing as Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries and Tony Stark’s great love interest. Despite her (nearly) top billing in the credits, Paltrow’s triumphant return to the MCU is essentially a five-minute (tops) cameo near the film’s conclusion. Still, after her conspicuous absence from Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War (when Stark said the couple was taking a break), it was a thrill to see her return to the fold. Before Homecoming, we hadn’t seen Potts since 2013’s Iron Man 3.

Following Spider-Man’s victory over the Vulture, during which he saved a planeload of Stark’s salvaged alien technology and won back Iron Man’s trust, Peter Parker is asked to visit the Avengers’ new headquarters in Upstate New York. When he arrives, Stark greets the teen, shows him a cool new costume and invites him to join the team. He tells Parker to put on the suit and head into the next room where he’s gathered the press for the big announcement. Parker declines the offer, however, explaining that he’s going to heed Stark’s sage advice from earlier in the movie—right now, he really needs more time to be a “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.”

Besides, as he leaves, Parker admits that he’s pretty sure Stark’s offer was just a test to make sure he’s done being foolish as Spider-Man. For a moment, the audience thinks the same thing. That’s when Paltrow steps in from a room full of journalists and asks Stark to bring in new Avenger!

With no Spider-Man to introduce, the two have to scramble for another “big announcement.” After a moment of consideration, Stark asks his beleaguered head of security, Happy Hogan (John Favreau), to hand him an engagement ring he’s apparently had for Potts since 2008! Stark and Potts kiss and the two step into the room full of reporters to make their equally stunning announcement.

Paltrow has stepped away from acting for the most part these days, and Downey Jr. is threatening to give up his role as Stark, but perhaps we’ll get a few more movies out of them both now that this marriage is in the mix. It sure would be nice for her to have more screen time than Stan Lee in the next MCU film. One can only hope.