Uh-oh! Jeremy Renner has disclosed why he turned down Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye Season 2—and the real reason why the on-screen Clint Barton made such a decision is quite shocking.
Renner received his own Hawkeye series after a long wait of nearly nine years. The actor made his full-fledged MCU debut in The Avengers (2012)—though he actually had a small cameo in the first Thor movie (2011), but that was uncredited. After 2012, we saw him take on supporting roles in many MCU films, until he finally got his own solo Disney+ series in 2021.
The highly positive critical and audience reception toward the show fueled demand for Season 2 among the fanbase. Nearly four years have passed, and not even a single update about the much-anticipated sophomore season had come from Marvel Studios or the lead actors—until now.
In a recent interview with High Performance, Renner revealed that he turned down the offer to return for Hawkeye Season 2 because the MCU veteran was being offered only half of his salary from Season 1. This is what he said:
“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.”
As of the time this article was written, neither Disney nor Marvel Studios had commented on Jeremy Renner’s remarks regarding a potential second season of Hawkeye. Furthermore, there have been no official announcements about when Renner might reprise his role as Hawkeye within the MCU. His name was also absent during the casting reveal for Avengers: Doomsday.
Renner did mention, however, that he would return for Season 2 if he were offered the same salary as in Season 1. That said, the fact that Marvel and Disney reportedly offered him only half of his original pay is pretty insulting, especially considering Renner is one of the OG Avengers.
That said, the situation should also be viewed from the studios’ perspective. Marvel and Disney spent recklessly on messy TV projects like Secret Invasion ($212 million), She-Hulk: Attorney at Law ($225 million), and Agatha All Along ($225 million), with disappointing returns. So, it’s somewhat understandable why they’re tightening budgets, including a reduced offer for Hawkeye Season 2.
It’s worth noting that TV shows typically operate on much smaller budgets than films. Marvel initially produced their series using the same high-cost approach as their movies, which heavily strained their finances. But after Marvel Television’s 2023 restructuring, the studio shifted to a more traditional TV production model, possibly explaining the lower salary offer.
Another key factor to consider is Jeremy Renner’s life-threatening snowplow accident on January 1, 2023. The actor took nearly 18 months to fully recover from his injuries, which inevitably delayed progress on a second season.
It’s disheartening to hear that the initial salary offer for Renner’s return was so low, especially given his long-standing presence in the MCU. The incredible chemistry between Clint Barton and Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop makes a second season an exciting prospect, provided Renner is fairly compensated.
Hopefully, Marvel Studios and Disney will reconsider their offer and come to terms with Jeremy Renner to make Hawkeye Season 2 a reality. Stay tuned for more updates.