Okay superhero movie fans, it’s time to let out a collective sob. Hayley Atwell will apparently not be reprising the role of Peggy Carter in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Of course, that shouldn’t be a total shock to fans who will be well aware that Cap’s sequel will be set post-“The Avengers” in the present day, but given that the 'Winter Soldier' storyline will surely demand some flashbacks in order to be told effectively, then we were also hoping that Atwell’s Carter might pop up in those.
Atwell was speaking to Timeout (via ComingSoon), whose article states the following: “She won’t, she confirms, be back for the latter’s ['Captain America'] sequel, which moves the action into the present day.” Sadly that doesn’t sound like one of those denials just to throw us off the scent either, and if true it would be a real shame considering just how great Atwell was in Cap’s first outing. Of Marvel’s four main love interests so far (Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Atwell), she was easily the best, and damn if she didn’t look great in that WWII get-up.
Conventional wisdom would suggest that the love interest in the second instalment will be the character of Sharon Carter, the niece of Atwell’s character who in the comics is also at times a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. There have been a whole host of names previously linked with the role including Anna Kendrick, Imogen Poots, Teresa Palmer, Alison Brie, Emilia Clarke, Jessica Brown Findlay, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Felicity Jones (although this writer has spoken to the latter two who both confirmed they were never in the running, so those rumours may all prove to be erroneous).
Also joining Chris Evans’ Cap in Anthony and Joe Russo's film are Cobie Smulders and (likely) Scarlett Johannson (reprising their roles as Maria Hill and Black Widow, respectively), Frank Grillo as villain Crossbones, Anthony Mackie as Falcon, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and [SPOILER ALERT] Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier. That’s a lot of cast right there so maybe it’s not surprising that Atwell won’t be back however much we’d like her to be. Oh, and Toby Jones too, please!
