Every Theory Disproved By Hawkeye's Finale

Warning: This article contains spoilers from Hawkeye episode 6.

The Hawkeye finale disproved several popular theories about what would happen on the Disney+ series. Audiences worldwide quickly connected to the show's focus on Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) once it debuted. While the main story revolved around their partnership and trying to get home in time for Christmas, Hawkeye's multiple plots and various teases left viewers guessing about what was coming next. Many theories connected the series to different Marvel Cinematic Universe characters and properties.

Speculation is nothing new to the MCU, as intense theorizing is a massive part of the constant discourse about new movies. The MCU's expansion to Disney+ shows opened the doors for even more theories as viewers speculate about what each episode could set up. WandaVision and Loki invited audiences to wonder about what was really going on. In some cases, popular theories proved accurate, such as WandaVision's Agnes being Agatha Harkness and the true villain or Loki's secret main villain being Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). The grounded story that Hawkeye presented included a few lingering mysteries, which once again proved to drive speculation with the MCU fan community online.

As is the case with any Marvel project, Hawkeye's biggest theories were either confirmed or debunked by the end of its story. One popular theory to be accurate was Laura Barton's connection to the secret Avengers watch, which confirmed that she was a SHIELD agent. However, plenty of other theories were ultimately inaccurate. Hawkeye's finale disproved some of the most popular theories that developed throughout the show's run.

Spider-Man Would Appear In Hawkeye's Finale

Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton in Hawkeye and Tom Holland as Peter Parker aka Spider-Man

A significant Hawkeye theory that circulated in the lead-up to the finale revolved around the possibility of Tom Holland's Spider-Man appearing. The basis for this theory came as a result of Hawkeye being set after Spider-Man: No Way Home in the MCU timeline. It picked up momentum after Spider-Man: No Way Home's ending saw Peter Parker get a new apartment near Central Park. This proved to be an important location for Hawkeye episode 6, as Clint and Kate's fight with the Tracksuit Maffia primarily occurred here. Since Spider-Man lived nearby, it would've made sense for him to jump into action if he saw an army of criminals flooding the ice skating rink. However, Tom Holland's Spider-Man ultimately didn't appear in the Hawkeye finale. This is arguably for the best. Adding Spidey into an already crowded final episode could've been too much - even if it could've helped clear up some confusion about if the Avengers still know about Spider-Man after Peter Parker was erased from everyone's memory.

Hawkeye Would Kill Clint Barton Off

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The Hawkeye finale also debunked arguably the biggest theory surrounding the show since it was announced: Clint Barton would die. Many viewers have been wondering when Hawkeye's MCU death will occur, as Avengers: Age of Ultron heavily hinted that it was going to happen. Avengers: Endgame once again puts Hawkeye in a life or death situation but chooses to have Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) sacrifice herself and save Clint's life. With Hawkeye introducing Clint's replacement in Kate and using Black Widow's vengeful sister Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the odds of Clint Barton dying seemed to be relatively high. The series smartly decided against making such a move and instead allowed Clint to have a happy ending by making it home to his family for Christmas.

Daredevil Would Return In Hawkeye

There was also a popular theory that Hawkeye episode 6 would include Charlie Cox's Daredevil. Viewers have waited since Daredevil's cancelation in 2018 to see Charlie Cox return as Matt Murdock, and it finally happened in Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, his appearance was so small that many wondered if the lawyer would return more emphatically sooner rather than later. An appearance in Hawkeye could've worked in various ways and was primarily driven by the confirmation that Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk a.k.a. Kingpin was involved in the story. Daredevil surely could've lent a hand and helped Clint and Kate take on his old foe in Hawkeye's finale, but it seems Marvel Studios elected to save that reunion for a later date. This is probably for the best, as a Daredevil cameo wasn't necessary, even if it could've been quite fun.

Kingpin Would Be The Villain Of Echo's Show

Hawkeye Echo Kingpin Comic Connection MCU SR

There is also the chance Hawkeye disproved a theory about Kingpin's MCU future. Once it was clear that Wilson Fisk was coming back, speculation mounted that he'd be the villain in Echo, the spinoff show starring Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox). The Hawkeye finale teases that might not be the case anymore. Echo learns that he was partially responsible for her father's death and was last shown holding him at gunpoint. The gunshot sound can be heard when she and Kingpin are no longer in the frame, which has raised questions about his fate. Even though the MCU most likely didn't just kill Fisk after this brief return, it is possible Echo's vendetta against him is already in the past. She blinds him with a gunshot in the comics and then moves on with her life. Echo could follow a similar story and show her go on a completely different adventure that doesn't involve Kingpin in any way.

Jack Was Hawkeye's Mentor

Hawkeye Episode 3 Ending Clint Barton Jack Duquesne Know SR

Many comic readers also theorized that Clint would be connected to Jack Duquesne (Tony Dalton) in some form, such as being Hawkeye's mentor. The two characters are connected in the comics, as Swordsman trained a young Clint. While the ages of Renner and Dalton indicated this wouldn't be the case, some speculation turned to the possibility that they were trained together as children. The entirety of Hawkeye solidified that Clint and Jack don't have a shared history, and episode 6 continued to make that clear. It seems Marvel Studios used comic readers' expectations against them in this case, as Jack is potentially just on his way to becoming Swordsman and might even be a friend of Hawkeye in the MCU.

Hawkeye Takes Place In The MCU's Multiverse

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Another theory that developed after the first episode was that Hawkeye secretly took place in the MCU's multiverse. This was the result of Kate Bishop's origin during the events of The Avengers that kicked off the series. Viewers noticed the letters left on Stark Tower didn't line up with how the Battle of New York unfolds in the Sacred Timeline. The multiverse focus included in Phase 4 prompted theories that the letters were a sign of Hawkeye taking place in a different universe. It was a far-reaching theory, to begin with, but supporters can probably put it to rest now. Hawkeye's finale didn't make any reference to the multiverse, and Marvel would've confirmed such an essential detail by the end of it was true.

Kate Bishop's Mom Is Madame Masque

There was also a popular Hawkeye theory that Kate Bishop's mom would be the villain Madame Masque. The show did confirm that Kate's mom was a bit more villainous than she initially let on, as she worked with Kingpin and hired Yelena to kill Clint. However, the Hawkeye finale also confirms that Vera Farmiga's Eleanor is not yet a significant villain of her own. Instead, the episode could set up that future for her, as Kate's mom's arrest could harden her and begin her Madame Masque transformation.

More: Every Hawkeye Character's Future Explained