Jeremy Renner Confirms No Hawkeye in Upcoming Avengers Films

Original Avenger Jeremy Renner has officially cleared the air on his future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Multiverse Saga, giving fans a definitive answer on his involvement in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. But don't hang up his bow just yet – there's still hope for Hawkeye's return elsewhere!

TL;DR: The Quick Hits You Need to Know

Jeremy Renner confirmed he won't be reprising Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the next major MCU ensemble films, Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, citing a packed schedule.
Despite this, Renner is still actively "trying to do" a second season of the Disney+ Hawkeye series, with negotiations ongoing after a past pay dispute.
Avengers: Doomsday is already stacked with a massive cast, including Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, Chris Hemsworth, a slew of new heroes, and a surprise roster of returning X-Men legends.

Clint Barton Will Be Taking a Break from the Multiverse Saga

Well, this one might sting a little for longtime Hawkeye fans. During a candid chat on The Breakfast Club Morning Show, Jeremy Renner, our beloved Clint Barton, addressed the burning question about his return for the next two huge Avengers movies. And the answer was a pretty direct "No."

Renner confirmed that he won't be picking up his bow and arrow for Avengers: Doomsday or its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars. His reason? He's apparently "pretty busy" with other projects right now. This comes after his incredible recovery from a severe snowplow accident in early 2023, which left him with 38 broken bones and a long road back.

When host Charlamagne tha God playfully suggested Marvel might just introduce a Hawkeye variant from another dimension (because, you know, Multiverse!), Renner just laughed it off, essentially giving Marvel his blessing. "If they want to do that, they can go ahead. By all means, you can do that. I'm pretty busy myself," he responded, sounding quite content with his decision.

"If they want to do that [replace him with a Hawkeye Variant] they can go ahead by all means and do that [Laughs]. I'm pretty busy myself."

— Jeremy Renner, The Breakfast Club Morning Show

Is Hawkeye Season 2 Still in the Cards for Clint Barton?

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While the big screen seems to be off-limits for Clint for now, there's a different kind of hope for Hawkeye on the small screen. Jeremy Renner has been quite vocal about his desire for a second season of his Disney+ series, Hawkeye. And it sounds like it's not just wishful thinking!

Renner recently told The Playlist that, despite all he's been through, "We got to where we're trying to do the second season. And I think I'll get strong enough to be able to do it. And we'll work it out. It's gonna be great." This suggests active efforts are being made behind the scenes to make it happen, which is fantastic news for fans who loved the first season's grounded, holiday-themed action.

There was a hiccup, though. Renner revealed earlier this year that Marvel initially offered him "half the money" he earned for Season 1 to return for Season 2, an offer he frankly called a "low blow" and turned down. However, he's maintained that he's "still open to reprising Clint Barton/Hawkeye in Season 2 since he's still in negotiations with the studio." So, it seems like they might be working out those details.

If Season 2 does move forward, Renner anticipates it'll stick to the beloved Christmas setting in New York, a detail he loves. "For a second season, that was always the idea to continue that narrative, even in the Christmas framework of it all, too, because they love that world in New York. There's really no more beautiful place than New York until Christmas. After Christmas is kind of bleak," he shared with ScreenRant.

Rumors for Hawkeye Season 2 have also suggested a "Die Hard"-esque plot, trapping Clint and Kate against his brother, Barney Barton, also known as Trickshot. Marvel reportedly even approached an A-list actor for the villain role. While early plans aimed for a Fall 2025 filming and a late 2026/2027 release, those timelines are now likely pushed to 2027 or even 2028 due to various factors, including Renner's recovery and contract talks.

Avengers: Doomsday Is Still Assembling a Power-Packed Ensemble

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Even without Clint Barton, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse! Set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, the film is already boasting a truly mind-boggling cast, directed by none other than Avengers: Endgame filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo, with a screenplay by Stephen McFeely.

Perhaps the most exciting news is the return of Marvel vets Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth. RDJ, in particular, is back but in a "completely different role" this time: the iconic villain Victor von Doom, aka Doctor Doom! Talk about a game-changer.

The confirmed ensemble cast is huge, featuring a mix of established MCU heroes and fresh faces. Get ready for:

Pedro Pascal
Vanessa Kirby
Joseph Quinn
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Paul Rudd
Sebastian Stan
Tom Hiddleston
Anthony Mackie
Florence Pugh
Tenoch Huerta Mejia
Lewis Pullman
Simu Liu
David Harbour
Wyatt Russell
Hannah John-Kamen
Letitia Wright
Winston Duke
Danny Ramirez

And if that wasn't enough, Doomsday is set to bring in a major wave of X-Men stars from past iterations, bridging dimensions in a big way:

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier
Ian McKellen as Magneto
Kelsey Grammer as Beast
Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
James Marsden as Cyclops
Channing Tatum as Gambit

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has even teased that this isn't the full roster, with more casting announcements still to come. Plus, rumors are swirling about appearances from Doctor Strange, Deadpool, Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers, and Spider-Man. So, while Clint might be sitting this one out, the Multiverse is definitely bringing its A-game!

Following Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled for theatrical release on December 17, 2027.

That London Set Visit: Just Friends Catching Up After All?

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Now, here's where things get a little hazy and some fans might have gotten their hopes up. Recently, Jeremy Renner told Cinema Blend that he actually visited the set of Avengers: Doomsday while the cast was filming in London. He described "breaking bread with all of the boys on that show" and reminisced about their "forever bond."

Naturally, this led to some major speculation on social media and fan forums – could he have been secretly filming? However, Renner's own phrasing emphasized the "forever bond" "whether we're filming or not," suggesting it was more a friendly visit than a working one. Given his very direct "No" to the Breakfast Club just days later regarding his return for the film, it's safe to say that while he's still close with his Marvel family, that visit likely didn't translate into a role in Doomsday.

It's a testament to the close relationships built within the MCU, even when characters aren't actively on screen together. So, for now, treat that set visit as a heartwarming reunion, not a secret spoiler!

The Future of Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

So, what does this all mean for Hawkeye's future? Even without Clint Barton in the next two Avengers blockbusters, the Hawkeye legacy is strong. Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop, Clint's protégé, is already a fan favorite and a clear successor. She's expected to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, potentially as part of the Young Avengers, and is also rumored for the Disney+ series Champions, centered on younger heroes.

Clint has a natural mentor role, and even if he's not in the thick of cosmic battles, his grounded heroism and experience could still be invaluable to the next generation. Jeremy Renner himself has expressed a personal sentiment about the character, saying he won't "hang up the bow until he faces the end," and that "Until he's killed, he's always gonna be working." This speaks to his deep connection to Clint and his readiness to return if the right story and circumstances align, perhaps making Hawkeye Season 2 the perfect venue.

In a sprawling universe filled with gods, aliens, and multiversal threats, sometimes the most human hero is exactly what we need. While we won't see Clint Barton in Doomsday or Secret Wars, Jeremy Renner's ongoing recovery and willingness to "always dance" with Marvel means his arrow isn't done flying for good. We'll just have to wait and see where it lands next!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hawkeye's MCU Future

Will Jeremy Renner return as Hawkeye in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars? No, Jeremy Renner has explicitly confirmed that he will not be reprising his role as Clint Barton/Hawkeye in either Avengers: Doomsday (December 2026) or Avengers: Secret Wars (December 2027), citing other commitments. Is Hawkeye Season 2 still happening on Disney+? Jeremy Renner has stated that efforts are being made for a second season of Hawkeye, and he is open to returning despite past salary disputes. The decision, however, ultimately rests with Marvel Studios. Who is confirmed to be in the cast of Avengers: Doomsday? The confirmed cast includes Robert Downey Jr. (as Doctor Doom), Chris Hemsworth, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, and many more. Additionally, several X-Men stars like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are also returning. When are the next Avengers movies scheduled for release? Avengers: Doomsday is set to release on December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.