In the closing moments of 2019's Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers travelled back in time to finally get his happy ending with Peggy Carter. Since then, Hayley Atwell has lent her voice to What If...?'s Captain Carter and played a live-action version of the hero for a short-lived Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cameo.
Atwell wasn't happy about that, but will get another chance as the original Peggy in this December's Avengers: Doomsday. To keep her return under wraps, Marvel Studios used a codename, which the actress has now revealed.
Chris Evans was referred to as "Luke Cage" while on Avengers: Doomsday's set, and somewhat appropriately, Atwell was named "Jessica" (as in Jessica Jones).
"I had a [codename] so that if the press caught it or fans would catch it, they’d be like, 'Jess? Who's that?'" the Avengers: Doomsday star recalled. However, despite Marvel Studios' best attempt, it wasn't long before people figured out that "Luke Cage House" likely referred to the home of Steve and Peggy, given that it was styled after 1950s or 1960s American architecture.
In other Avengers news, Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu has confirmed that he's among the actors set to return for 2027's Secret Wars.
In a now-deleted video from Itzyreviews, the actor was asked about a possible Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sequel and replied, " First Doomsday, then Secret Wars, then..." When the fan suggested the long-rumoured Shang-Chi and the Wreckage of Time, Liu replied with "Let's hope."
Liu's return in Avengers: Secret Wars isn't hugely surprising, but that Shang-Chi sequel happening seems doubtful. Filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton has moved on to the Spider-Man franchise and is becoming increasingly busy with projects like Naruto and Hawaii Five-0.
The confirmed (or semi-confirmed, at least) cast of Avengers: Secret Wars includes Robert Downey Jr. (Doctor Doom), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Paul Bettany (The Vision), Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), and Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter).
Also appearing are Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing), and Sadie Sink (Jean Grey). The Thunderbolts* cast is also expected to return.
The Russo Brothers direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars from a screenplay by Stephen McFeely, with whom they previously collaborated on the Avengers and Captain America franchises. Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron has also been enlisted to refine the story, alongside Spider-Man: Brand New Day's Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to be released on December 18, with Avengers: Secret Wars scheduled to arrive on December 17, 2027.