Gwyneth Paltrow’s long-running “feud” with her own Marvel Cinematic Universe memories has officially become Hollywood canon — and Robert Downey Jr. just added a fresh chapter.

During his speech at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment gala on December 3, 2025, RDJ presented Paltrow with the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, and — in true Tony Stark fashion — roasted her mercilessly (and lovingly) for her famously fuzzy MCU recollections.

Paltrow, who played Pepper Potts in seven MCU films (yes, seven — even she has trouble believing that), has repeatedly admitted she’s “not a Marvel person.” The result: some of the most meme-able celebrity moments in recent pop culture.

And RDJ came prepared.

RDJ’s Freshest Anecdote: Gwyneth Didn’t Recognize Tom Holland… Again

In his speech, Downey deadpanned:

“Gwyneth is impossibly intelligent, yet forever confused by the basic tenets of the MCU and its inhabitants.”

He then shared a now-legendary exchange:

“She sees this guy and asks me, ‘Who’s that? He said his name was Peter.’ And I say, ‘No, Gwyneth… his character’s name is Peter. That’s Tom Holland. You’ve done four movies with him.’”

(Little exaggeration — it was three. But RDJ never lets facts get in the way of a good joke.)

The audience erupted. Tom Holland, for his part, has long played into the bit — cheekily telling PopSugar in 2019:

“I’ve reintroduced myself to Gwyneth three times now.”

He even joked about it on Instagram at the Endgame premiere:
“Glad I got to reintroduce myself for the third time. We’re in the same movie…”

How Gwyneth Forgot She Was in Spider-Man: Homecoming

Paltrow’s memory saga first went mega-viral in 2019 during an episode of The Chef Show with Jon Favreau and RDJ.

Favreau mentioned Spider-Man: Homecoming. Paltrow blinked:

“Wait… I wasn’t in Spider-Man.”

Favreau:
“…Yes, you were.”

Paltrow:
“No I wasn’t…?”

Cut to footage of Pepper Potts literally standing in the final scene of Homecoming.

To be fair:

She filmed for a few hours.

She assumed it was an Avengers scene.

Marvel films out of order.

Nobody tells actors anything.

In a 2025 Vanity Fair profile, Paltrow explained:

“I thought I was shooting a cameo for an Avengers movie. Turns out it was Spider-Man. I didn’t realize until they told me.”

And This Isn’t Her Only MCU Misfire

Gwyneth’s MCU memory lapses include:

Forgetting she worked with Sebastian Stan

At the Infinity War premiere in 2018, she reportedly asked:
“Who is that?”

Stan later confirmed she had no idea he’d been in multiple films with her.

Doubting how many MCU films she was in

When told she’d appeared in seven, she insisted:
“That can’t be right.”

Treating MCU films like background noise

She’s said she rarely watches them, doesn’t always read the scripts fully, and barely remembers which scenes stayed in the final cut.

Fans love her for it — it’s Gwyneth being effortlessly Gwyneth.

Why This Keeps Happening (According to Fans and Paltrow Herself)

MCU films often shoot separate storylines on different sets

Actors interact less than the final cut suggests

Green screen scenes feel disconnected

Paltrow was running Goop, raising kids, and filming other projects at the same time

She’s… not super invested in superhero lore

Reddit says:
“Gwyneth operates on a different plane. The MCU is a side quest for her.”

Another fan put it perfectly:
“She’d be a terrible personal assistant for Tony Stark.”

But RDJ Still Loves Her — and Made Sure Everyone Knew It

After all the teasing, RDJ closed with genuine admiration:

“It’s time to recognize Gwyneth f—ing Paltrow… She built a billion-dollar empire between takes on the set of Iron Man.”

The crowd gave her a standing ovation.

With RDJ Returning to Marvel, Fans Are Already Joking…

Downey is set to return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
Fans online predict:

“Paltrow will need flash cards: ‘This is Robert. He is in this movie.’”

If this year’s viral clip is any indication, Gwyneth will shrug, smile, and make the entire internet laugh again.