When we last saw Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Captain America’s WWII love interest from The First Avenger, she was an elderly woman in the hospital, clearly suffering from a fading mind. That brief appearance came in The Winter Soldier when Agent 13 was introduced, so fans had been speculating that the Civil War funeral was for Peggy ever since it was revealed that the former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (who may or may not be Sharon Carter from the comics) would be in attendance.
While it’s obviously sad that Peggy has passed on, this by no stretch of the imagination means that Marvel is done with the character. Atwell plans to keep playing Peggy in ABC series Agent Carter, which has been renewed for a second season, and flashbacks are certainly not out of the question. Carter had a long, storied career, and she came into contact with many players in the Marvel Cinematic Universe over the latter half of the 20th century, so it wouldn’t be surprising for Marvel to use her to introduce other heroes further down the line.
Captain America: Civil War opens May 6, 2016.
