Two original Avengers returning to the MCU for bigger roles

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings its Multiverse Saga towards its conclusion, anticipation has once again increased as fans prepare for what the Marvel Studios franchise will throw their way next. We know that Marvel's original star, Robert Downey Jr., will be back for both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, but he won't be bringing Tony Stark back with him. No, he's the saga's new big villain Doctor Doom.

That doesn't mean we won't see some other original Avengers make a comeback to the franchise. Chris Evans has already blessed us with a cameo as Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four, but he's also rumored to make a comeback in his MCU role of Captain America. But that's before the Multiverse Saga concludes.

A new report has revealed that two more original Avengers will be making a return after the saga concludes and that they will be playing a much bigger role than they have in recent years.

Hulk and Hawkeye rumored to return to the MCU for new solo projects

A new report from industry scooper HWScoops (H/T: Film News) has suggested that both Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner will return to the MCU after Avengers: Secret Wars to reprise their respective roles of Bruce Banner / The Incredible Hulk and Clint Barton / Hawkeye. The former will reportedly return for that long-awaited Hulk solo movie while the latter would reappear in a second season of Disney Plus series Hawkeye.

While both Avengers are still a part of the franchise at the moment, their roles have been relatively limited compared to what they used to be, with Hawkeye season 1 even implying that Clint had retired as an active Avenger. Now, however, audiences could be about to see a lot more of them.

Hulk has appeared in a somewhat more regular capacity, making a cameo appearance in the post-credits scene of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings and playing a recurring role in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. When we last saw the green Avenger in the latter, he discovered that he had a son named Skaar from his time on the planet Sakaar.

Audiences have been divided over the treatment of the character in recent years, with many feeling that Hulk is used in a more gimmicky and less-serious capacity. The Professor Hulk iteration that appeared in Avengers: Endgame and She-Hulk hasn't been all that well-received, with fans longing for the days of the original, comic-accurate Hulk; the one we saw in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, 2012's The Avengers and 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Speaking of the 2008 film, while that was indeed a solo adventure for the character, it starred Edward Norton (who was subsequently recast with Mark Ruffalo) and, although it is canon to the franchise, it isn't one of the MCU's better-remembered movies. Nevertheless, it does do a great job of highlighting what a force-to-be-reckoned with that the Hulk is and showcases how the character thrives in extensive spotlight. With Ruffalo stepping into the role in The Avengers, he never got to appear in his own solo movie; now might be the time to set the Hulk character back on the right course.

Meanwhile, this report also appears to confirm the ongoing rumors that Hawkeye will be renewed for a second season. Earlier this year, reports suggested that Marvel was going to look into renewing some of its miniseries for sophomore outings in a bid to make its Disney Plus arm a bit more like linear TV, focusing more on ongoing multiseason shows instead of one-and-done miniseries. Hawkeye season 2 has been rumored ever since, with multiple insiders claiming that it is in the works.

It would make sense that this take place after Avengers: Secret Wars, as Jeremy Renner is confident that he will return as Clint Barton for both it and predecessor Avengers: Doomsday. A multiversal threat like Doctor Doom would be more than enough to bring a retired Avenger back into the field, so that could very nicely set the stage for Hawkeye to return in the second season of his own series, even if it's in a more supporting capacity now that Kate Bishop has seemingly taken over the mantle of Hawkeye in the MCU.

While it's always important to take any reports with a pinch of salt until Marvel themselves confirm them, the prospect of seeing two of the original six Avengers - both of whom have played smaller roles since Avengers: Endgame - return to the franchise in main roles is incredibly exciting.