Jeremy Renner didn't catch his big break until appearing in The Hurt Locker (2009). This breakthrough and subsequent Academy Award nod for his role positioned Renner for a successful 2010's. During this decade, Renner managed to snag another Academy Award nomination and have starring roles in 3 iconic franchises. He is, of course, most recognizable as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
His versatility and talent even lead to him being crowned as the"Best Actor for the Buck" by Forbes magazine. Going into the 2020's Renner will reprise his role as Hawkeye for the new Disney+ series, but while audiences wait for that, here's a look back at his best non-MCU roles of the 2010's as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
The Bourne Legacy (2012) - 56%
The Bourne Legacy is the fourth film in the Bourne series, but the first to not include star Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass. While Jason Bourne (Damon) doesn't appear, his actions from the first three films ultimately influence Bourne Legacy, with parts of it taking place at the same time as The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).
Jeremy Renner plays Aaron Cross, a black-ops operative who is genetically enhanced as part of Operation Outcome (similar to Operation Treadstone and Blackbriar in the previous films). Cross must evade assassination when it is decided that all participants of Operation Outcome are to be eliminated when Operation Treadstone and Blackbriar are revealed to the public. In an interview with Screenrant, Matt Damon mentioned that he and Paul Greengrass had previously considered Renner as someone that they could pass off the franchise to in order to continue it beyond Jason Bourne.
Kill the Messenger (2014) - 77%
Based on a true story, Kill the Messenger revolves around Gary Webb, a reporter known for publishing Dark Alliance, a book that exposed the origins of the crack cocaine drug trade in Nicaragua and potential CIA involvement. In addition to starring as Gary Webb, Renner took on the role of producer for the first time in his career.
He told The Hollywood Reporter that the story needed to be told because, "this is a true story. This happened 70 miles from where I grew up, and I didn’t even know about it. I did more research, and it became something I had to go do." When comparing playing Webb to Hawkeye, Renner added, "It’s easier at first because you have a road map telling you where to go and who this guy is, but you are limited to those truths of who they really are — you can’t make anything up."
The Founder (2016) - 81%
Jeremy Renner did not act in The Founder, instead opting to take on the project as a producer only. Starring Michael Keaton fresh off Birdman (2014) and Spotlight (2015), The Founder is about the true story of Ray Kroc (Keaton) and how he turned the McDonald's restaurants into the fast food juggernaut that it is today.
RELATED: Michael Keaton's 10 Best Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes
Talking to Deadline about the difference between acting and producing, Renner said "there is a greater a sense of pride—like when we did "Kill the Messenger"—and that was probably one of my more fun experiences on a movie set. Having everyone there on the same team, it just feels really great. You have more stakes in the game, emotionally, financially. So, it’s just very satisfying. Much more than just, like, I’m an actor for hire, and I go do a job."
The Immigrant (2013) - 86%
In The Immigrant, Jeremy Renner holds his own while sharing the screen with Marion Cottillard and Joaquin Phoenix. Centred around Cotillard's character Ewa, a Polish immigrant, the film follows her as she tries to make enough money to get her sick sister Magda, released from quarantine.
While The Immigrant received rave reviews, it didn't have the same turnout as The Avengers. Renner acknowledged this in an interview with Indie Wire but added that "I feel like the big movies allow me to do the smaller movies. It helps me finance those — no one’s throwing money at “The Immigrant,” no one’s throwing money at “Kill the Messenger,” these are all great pieces of cinema that should be filmed."
Wind River (2017) - 88%
Hawkeye wasn't the only recognizable face who appeared in Wind River. Elizabeth Olsen, who is known for her role as Scarlet Witch in the MCU, costarred with Renner in the murder mystery. Jeremy Renner plays U.S Fish and Wildlife agent Cory Lambert. Lambert discovers the body of an 18-year old girl and must work with FBI agent Jane Banner (Olsen) to solve the case.
Taylor Sheridan wrote and directed the film hoping that it would spread awareness of the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women both on and off reservations. In an interview with Screenrant, Sheridan said that Jeremy Renner's performance in Wind River was the best of his career.
American Hustle (2013) - 92%
Of the main cast in the black comedy American Hustle, Jeremy Renner was the only actor to not receive an Academy Award nomination for his performance. But even so Renner puts in an emotional performance as Carmine Polito, a corrupt mayor who is one of the targets of a sting operation by an FBI Agent (Bradley Cooper) and two reluctant con-artists (Christian Bale and Amy Adams).
In an interview with JoBlo, Renner described his time on American Hustle as a "pure joy" and loved having the opportunity to work with director David O. Russell and the "amazing" cast of actors. It would also be the first of two collaborations with Amy Adams during the 2010's.
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011) - 93%
The fourth film in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Jeremy Renner joined Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol as William Brandt, an intelligence analyst with a secret past.
Of playing the complex Brandt, Renner told Collider, "I’m attracted to those kinds of roles that could be good or could be bad, and you just don’t know. I guess I just have one of those resting faces that makes me look like I want to beat you up. I like those parts."
The Town (2010) - 93%
Ben Affleck directed and starred in the 2010 thriller The Town, which follows a group of bank robbers attempting to rob Fenway park. Renner's performance as Jem, one of the robbers, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In an interview with Larry King, Renner admitted that he initially turned down the role because he "didn't want to play the bad guy." He ultimately agreed to do the film after talking with Ben Affleck and liking the approach he planned to take on directing the film. Renner referred to Affleck as "one of the smartest people I know."
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015) - 93%
Making his return as William Brandt, Renner appeared in the fifth film of the Mission: Impossible series, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation. However, unlike the first time around, Renner didn't have as good a time shooting this particular installment.
When Renner was approached about making a cameo as Brandt (and possible being killed off) in Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018), he immediately declined. Director Chris McQuarrie acknowledged in an interview with Collider that Renner was "smart not to take the short pay check for three days of work and getting blown up."
Arrival (2016) - 94%
When Denis Villeneuve's science fiction film Arrival was released, it was widely considered as one of 2016's best films. It was Renner's second time starring in a film with Amy Adams, where they play a physicist and linguist respectively.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Renner said that he took on the role because he loved the story and was a fan of Villeneuve's previous work. He was also asked directly by Amy Adams, who at this point was a good friend of his, to appear in the film. "I just couldn't say no." he said.