The multiverse has already started to collapse. One of the post-credits scenes of Avengers Endgame: Encore revealed that countless incursions are happening across the cosmos. With so many worlds clashing, the fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe hangs by a thread, and it will be up to Earth's Mightiest Heroes to prevent the destruction of reality as a whole. Fortunately, many characters will suit up and try to save the day once more.
Marvel's upcoming crossover will be the studio's most ambitious project yet. The film's official cast includes over 25 characters, and more surprises are yet to come. The X-Men, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and Earth's Mightiest Heroes will finally join forces for the first time in cinematic history, and it seems almost every character will play a part in the end of the ongoing Multiverse Saga. Unfortunately, there will be some notable absences too, including an original Avenger who hasn't been seen in many years now.
Jeremy Renner reveals he won't suit up as Hawkeye in Avengers: Doomsday
During Comic-Con Liverpool, Jeremy Renner stated that he won't reprise his role as Hawkeye in the most ambitious MCU crossover to date, Avengers: Doomsday:
"I'm not in [Avengers: Doomsday], so the Avengers will probably lose, just so you know… [Marvel] didn't call me, so it's their fault they're going to lose."
This wouldn't be the first time Renner missed out on an Avengers movie, as his character was nowhere to be seen during the events of Avengers: Infinity War. Fortunately, the Russo brothers made up for his absence by giving the sharpshooting hero a pivotal role in the film's follow-up, Avengers: Endgame. With that in mind, a similar scenario could be in store once more, especially since Avengers: Secret Wars is just around the corner and will act as a continuation of Doomsday. That being said, something even stranger may be happening behind the scenes.
There's a chance that Renner is telling the truth, and he himself won't appear in Avengers: Doomsday. However, this doesn't mean Hawkeye will be completely absent from the film. Back in April 2026, industry insider Alex Perez revealed that Marvel would film multiple cameos for Avengers: Doomsday using stunt doubles instead of the main actors behind many iconic heroes. To do so, the studio asked the stunt doubles to use "masks" that "look like the ones from the movie Kingdom of Heaven."
Incidentally, Doctor Doom's Latverian Witches use metallic masks (similar to the ones in Kingdom of Heaven) to conceal their true identities. Furthermore, it has been reported that some heroes who aren't officially part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast—such as Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff—are members of this group. So, there's a chance that Clint Barton will also join Doom's ranks.
Scooper James Mack revealed that Hawkeye will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, and if the hero is truly a member of the Latverian Witches, Renner's stunt double could've filmed those scenes. As a result, Renner could be telling the truth when stating that Marvel didn't call him back for the film, even if his character will have a role either way.
One of the post-credits scenes in Avengers Doomsday: Encore revealed that Doctor Doom "collected" Bruce Banner by breaking the Green Goliath out of his imprisonment. Fans have since theorized that the Hulk will be another one of the Latverian Witches, and multiple rumors support this idea. Furthermore, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that Doom won't stop with Banner, as other heroes will be "collected" as well. With that in mind, it isn't far-fetched to assume Hawkeye is one of them.
Of course, this theory is based on speculation and rumors. So, for the time being, it's best to assume Renner is telling the truth and that Hawkeye won't join Earth's Mightiest Heroes in their next adventure. However, it's also clear that Marvel has plenty of surprises in store, and we can't wait to discover what they are.
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on Dec. 18, 2026.
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