Hayley Atwell criticizes divisive Captain Carter moment: ‘It undermines the character’

If you were frustrated with Captain Carter’s fate in Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness when it hit theaters in 2022, you’re definitely not alone. Hayley Atwell, the actress behind the character, has shared her own feelings about the direction her character took.

During her appearance at the For the Love of Fantasy & Sci-Fi convention in London, Atwell voiced her disappointment with how her character’s arc unfolded. Peggy Carter has been a key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since her debut in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, where she played a crucial role in the creation of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Super Soldier Serum. In Multiverse of Madness, she appears as an alternate version of Captain America, sporting the iconic suit and shield as Captain Carter.

However, unlike the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, Captain Carter struggles against the might of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). In a dramatic moment, she throws her shield, only for the Scarlet Witch to send it back, resulting in a fatal blow.

“If I’m brutally honest, I was so disappointed with how they positioned her and what happened to her in that scene,” Atwell shared with the audience. “It’s so small, and she gets frisbeed to death.”

Atwell also highlighted another concern: the scene follows a moment where Carter echoes a line from Steve Rogers in The First Avenger, saying, “I can do this all day.” Whether intentional or not, this callback emphasizes the difference between Steve Rogers’ Captain America and Captain Carter, and it feels somewhat harsh toward the latter. Additionally, it seems unnecessary to showcase the Scarlet Witch’s strength, as Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) had already established that earlier in the film.

“I felt that [Carter’s death] was a bum steer, and a complete disservice to the character,” Atwell remarked. “I tried on set to kind of go, ‘Can I just add? Can I just suggest?’ And they were like, ‘Sure, but no.’”

Fortunately, Marvel may have plans to rectify this in Avengers: Doomsday, where Atwell is set to reprise her role. What that will entail is still under wraps, but fans of Peggy Carter are hoping for a much more satisfying experience than what was delivered in Multiverse of Madness.

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