Clint Barton’s reasoning for becoming a superhero is revealed in a deleted scene from the character’s show Hawkeye. The series hit Disney+ back in November of 2021 and became the MCU’s first Christmas-focused show. Hawkeye was well received by critics and fans, who praised the show’s lighter tone and were eager to see the inclusions of Kingpin and Yelena Romanoff. In addition to bringing back old faces, the show introduced audiences to plenty of new ones. Most notably, Hawkeye marked the MCU debut of Hailee Steinfeld as the archer Kate Bishop.

The series followed Hawkeye and Bishop, who had been inspired to take up her bow by the founding Avenger himself, as they battled against underground crime-networks in an attempt to deal with Barton's vigilante past as Ronin. The series took many twists and turns, eventually revealing that Bishop’s mother had been associated with Kingpin while lying to her daughter. The series also examined the personal impact of the Blip, caused by Thanos at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, on Hawkeye and his family, as well as the physical toll that his time as a superhero had taken on him.

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Now, in a recently released deleted scene from the series shared by Cloud Commentary, fans get a look at Clint Barton’s decision to become Hawkeye and his deeper motivations. The footage shows a young Clint at a fair with his mother, playing and winning at target-practice games. The scenes also show him using his dexterity to steal valuable items from passers-by at the urging of his parent. When the young Barton questions the legality and morality of the thieving, asking if “[I]t’s okay to do bad things to bad people?” his mother agrees and justifies his actions by telling him that the only way to distinguish between good and bad is to listen to your heart. Check out the full clip below:

Fans have been clamoring for more of an insight into Hawkeye’s motivations since his introduction and will be excited to get the chance to learn more in the deleted scenes. The reference at the beginning of the clip to the English legend of Robin Hood will also intrigue viewers, who will make the connection between the two bow-wielding heroes and their aim to help those less fortunate than them. While Hawkeye might not be the most powerful member of the Avengers, the new details about his motivation place him amongst the most likable.

Hawkeye was Disney+’s fourth live-action MCU show, coming after WandaVision, Loki, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Unfortunately for fans, it was a limited series, so will most likely be left at one season. However, audiences will get to explore some of the characters from the show again when the spinoff series Echo hits screens in the future. That show will hopefully pick up from where Hawkeye left off, and may see the return of Barton and Bishop, though nothing has been confirmed.

More: Hawkeye’s Captain America Detail Confirms Steve Rogers Was The Better Hero

Source: YouTube / Cloud Commentary