Hawkeye season 2 is the perfect place for Marvel Studios to finally introduce the Young Avengers' origin in the MCU. Throughout Phase 4, more specifically the Disney+ shows, the MCU has been slowly building up the next big team-up for Marvel Studios. While the multiverse has been the central focus of the last few MCU projects, Disney+ has been laying the foundations for the Young Avengers.
From the introduction of Wiccan and Speed in WandaVision to Kate Bishop being a co-lead in Hawkeye, famous members from across the Young Avengers many comic runs have been popping up in the MCU. Others include Patriot, Isaiah Bradley's grandson from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Kid Loki in Loki, and America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While Marvel hasn't overtly stated that they are building a Young Avengers team, it is obvious from these many characters being introduced that there is a strong possibility.
While it would be amazing to see a show or movie centered on the Young Avengers, Hawkeye season 2 would be the perfect place for their formation to happen before they are seen in action. It would make sense for the sophomore season to bring other Young Avengers into the fold for several reasons, given how the first season of Hawkeye included one surefire, and one potential, member of the Young Avengers in Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova. Not only would this benefit Hawkeye as a show in and of itself, but it could potentially tie a secluded section of the MCU to the wider events of the multiverse given Wiccan and Speed's current MCU status.
Clint Barton's Own Avengers Story Should Be Over
Hawkeye season 1 flirted with the idea of Clint passing his mantle down to Kate Bishop, though never fully committed to that end and having him retire. In Hawkeye season 2, Clint helping to form the Young Avengers would be a perfect way to end his own Avengers story. While many liked the idea of Hawkeye sticking around after Avengers: Endgame, the Hawkeye series explored the main plot points that needed to be wrapped up for Clint. From the ramifications of his days as Ronin, his grief over Natasha Romanoff's death, and his mentorship of Kate Bishop, Hawkeye season 1 nicely wrapped up Clint's story. Hawkeye season 2 would be an ideal place to have Clint fully forego the mantle of Hawkeye but continue in the MCU through mentoring the Young Avengers.
Of the original six Avengers, three have either retired permanently or been killed in Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Natasha Romanoff. Thor, as seen in the trailers for Thor: Love and Thunder, is retiring from the Avengers yet focusing on cosmic adventures, while Hulk is still involved in Shang-Chi and She-Hulk. With Barton, Marvel has an opportunity to differentiate him from the other five Avengers by making him a vital part of the Young Avengers. That way, he could pass on the Avengers' legacy to the next generation while still stepping back from being a superhero like the rest of the original Avengers lineup.
Hawkeye Is The Perfect Mentor For The Young Avengers
Turning Hawkeye into the Young Avengers' mentor wouldn't only differentiate him from the other original Avengers post-Avengers: Endgame, but would be the perfect endpoint for his character arc in the MCU. Avengers: Age of Ultron revealed Clint Barton to be a family man who cares deeply for his kids and wife, Laura. This paternal instinct was underscored in Hawkeye with his acceptance of Kate Bishop as his partner and his relationship with Wanda Maximoff throughout the MCU.
Making Clint the Young Avengers mentor would be great to see as he fits the "annoyed dad" archetype very well. It would both mirror and be different enough from Nick Fury's dynamic with the original Avengers. Both are expert spies with Barton working for and learning from Fury, so he'd know how to covertly put together the group. Also, the paternal way in which Hawkeye could be presented to a group of young, superpowered heroes would allow for a much different dynamic from Fury and the original Avengers, keeping things fresh.
While Hawkeye was fairly self-contained in its first season, outside of reintroducing Wilson Fisk/Kingpin to the MCU, the second season could take things one step further and introduce the next big team of the MCU. Loki season 2 has been set up to have a huge impact on the MCU given the history of Loki, the TVA and Kang, and Hawkeye could follow suit. With Kate Bishop having the biggest role of any of the Young Avengers' potential lineup so far, it only reinforces why Hawkeye season 2 would be the perfect place to introduce the Young Avengers, should a second season of the Disney+ show be made.
