How Peggy Carter Would Have Handled Thanos In Infinity War, According To Hayley Atwell

Agent Peggy Carter

Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in flux right now, as the universe shattering events of Avengers: Infinity War has shocked fans and cinephiles alike. Josh Brolin's Thanos surprised everyone by actually succeeding, and acquiring all of the Infinity Stones. This resulted in half of the galaxy being wiped out instantly, including a ton of beloved MCU heroes. It's unclear how the narrative will continue in the wake of this loss, and how the remaining Avengers will manage to turn it around. One hero who won't be around to help is Hayley Atwell's Agent Peggy Carter, who died during the events of Captain America: Civil War. But Atwell has an idea for how Peggy would handle the situation: by attempting to actually empathize with the big purple guy.

You know how with Thanos you can see this tormented man working through his own kind of moral compass. There's like this sensitivity about him that's required when he's got to kill his own daughter. I think there must be an Achilles' heel in there somewhere. There must be some sort of way there to disarm him that's not physical. I think she's maybe just give him a therapy session. I think she would help him celebrate his differences. I think she would give him a little red lipstick and say that it works wonders for me when I'm having a bad day.

While Marvel heroes like Gamora and Thor may have attacked first and asked questions later, Hayley Atwell has found another approach to try and save the galaxy as we know it. Instead, she thinks Pegy Carter would take the more personal touch, and meet him eye to eye. At least, as much as you can with a giant, armored, superpowered villain.

Hayley Atwell's comments come from her recent appearance at ACE Comic-Con. Atwell did a panel about her tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which includes her own TV show, an arc on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and her myriad silver screen appearances. Peggy is a fan favorite, with the community seemingly always asking for Agent Carter to get new life after its cancellation. Peggy has brains, heart, and badassery, which is why she might have been helpful when Thanos came knocking. Unfortunately she had recently passed away, and therefore it was up to the rest of Marvel's heroes. They just didn't win.

Thanos' finger snap has broad ramifications for the greater MCU, as its unclear which characters have vanished into dust, and which ones are still alive and well on earth. This includes Peggy Carter's niece Sharon aka Agent 13. Sharon had a major arc in both The Winter Soldier and Civil War, but was noticeably absent in Infinity War. We'll just have to wait and see if the Carter bloodline continued when Avengers 4 arrives.

Avengers 4 will hit theaters on May 3rd, 2018. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Corey Chichizola
Movies Editor

Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Graduated with degrees theater and literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After working in administrative theater for a year in New York, he started as the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his favorite actors... just not as he would have predicted as a kid. He's particularly proud of covering horror franchises like Scream and Halloween, as well as movie musicals like West Side Story. Favorite interviews include Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more.