A new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe is upon us and it could involve some major characters, actors, and projects. There are two Avengers movies on the horizon which are designed to bring about an end to the Multiverse Saga, allowing the franchise to start all over again with a new era (which may or may not be devoted to the arrival of the mutants). And there is already a renewed sense of excitement for it.
The release of Thunderbolts* has reinvigorated fan interest in the MCU (which admittedly was never low, but had levelled off in recent years), making up for a multitude of underwhelming theatrical releases. It also set the stage for Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives in theaters next year. This is an opportunity for Marvel to course-correct, which is what the studio has been reportedly attempting to do for some time now.
That next MCU chapter might also include the long-awaited second season of a beloved Disney Plus series, but it isn't looking likely that its star will join the action.
Jeremy Renner turns down Hawkeye season 2 as rumors suggest show might continue without him
In what can only be described as one of the most shocking pieces of Marvel news this spring/summer, Jeremy Renner has revealed that he turned down an offer to reprise his role as Clint Barton in a second season of Disney Plus series Hawkeye. The revelation came in a new interview with High Performance, in which the actor spoke about the decision he made to say no to returning to his most famous role, saying that he was offered "half" of his season 2 salary.
"They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money. I’m like, ‘Well, it’s going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money, and eight months of my time, essentially, to do it for half the amount... I’m like, ‘I’m sorry? Why? Did you think I’m only half the Jeremy because I got ran over? Maybe that’s why you want to pay me half of what I made on the first season."
Renner was seriously injured after a snowmobile accident in 2023 but he has thankfully recovered. The star was touched by all the messages of concern from fans around the world and took to social media shortly afterwards to thank them. He also kept in touch with his Marvel and Avengers costars, some of whom paid him a visit in the hospital.
It's unclear if Hawkeye's journey in the MCU has come to abrupt end or not (Renner's name was noticeably absent from the cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday) but a new report suggests that we could see the second season of the character's Disney Plus series still go ahead without him if a deal is not struck. Veteran Marvel scooper MyTimeToShineHello claims that Hawkeye season 2 is still in development but with Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop - who played a major role in the first season - now set to lead the project.
Renner is open to returning as the character of Clint Barton, adding that the salary issue isn't down to Marvel and that he'd "still love to do it". And it goes without saying that he's not to the only one who would love for it to happen.
Hawkeye season 2 has been rumored to be in development for over a year now, with reports surfacing last spring. After Marvel's miniseries era began producing some critical and commercial duds, the studio redeveloped its television slate to produce more cost-effective linear TV shows that would allow for multiple seasons - which also presented them with the opportunity to revisit some of their previous miniseries and potentially renew them for another season. Hawkeye was reportedly one that the studio was keen to bring back, with both Renner and Steinfeld expected to return.
A season of Hawkeye without Hawkeye himself just wouldn't feel right. Here's hoping that the stars will align and that Renner will return to the role in the near-future with a salary similar to that of the Disney Plus show's first season.