The original Avengers' bond can't be replaced, says Hawkeye star Jeremy Renner. After Marvel Studios successfully launched the MCU with Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, they continued by introducing the rest of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes. By 2012, the roster was completed with Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Renner, and Downey assembling for the first time as Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Iron Man, respectively.
Fast forward to more than a decade later, half of the original Avengers lineup is no longer active in the MCU. Both Iron Man and Black Widow sacrificed themselves in Avengers: Endgame, meanwhile, Captain America decided to retire after decades of service. This means second-generation heroes are stepping up to be the franchise's new leaders, such as Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Sam Wilson (Captain America), and even Spider-Man (Tom Holland). But as beloved as they are, fans will always have a special place in their hearts for the MCU's founding heroes.
Recently, Renner opened up about the relationship of his fellow original Avengers in a recent appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast. The actor said that out of all the benefits of joining the MCU, it's the bond with them that's the most important for him, and no matter what happens, nothing can replace that. Read his full comment below:
"The greatest thing that ever came from the last 11 years of the Marvel world for me, or even all of us, is the original A6 that have been along the whole journey. There's been marriages and divorces, and kids being born, and a lot of shifts and changes in our personal lives as well as our acting lives that we all shared together in a very specific way."
"All of them, they're like family to me. You can't replace that or quantify it, and we all got tattoos together just to symbolize our bond and love."
The tattoo that Renner was referring to in the quote above is a combination of the Avengers' logos. According to Downey, the idea started with Johansson, and it didn't take long for Evans to board the ploy; soon enough, the rest agreed to the plan. That being said, Ruffalo didn't get the tattoo, because he's supposedly afraid of needles. In any case, the tattoo has become a fun conversation topic every single time any of the original Avengers members talk about their experience establishing the MCU.
Now, Renner is one of only three members from the original Avengers lineup who are still in the MCU. More recently, he starred in his first headlining project in Hawkeye on Disney+. Many presumed that it would be how Marvel Studios was going to write him out of the franchise after he established a mentorship with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), who's set up to take over his superhero moniker. However, that wasn't the case, with Clint Barton surviving the show. That's a great thing, as it gives the MCU time to reunite him with Thor and Hulk. And given the budding multiverse, perhaps they can also re-assemble with Black Widow, Captain America, and Iron Man in the future.
Source: Armchair Expert