Hawkeye Features A Secret Hulk Cameo, VFX Artist Confirms

Hawkeye includes a secret Hulk cameo, according to a visual effects artist that worked on the series. Marvel Studios wrapped up its first Disney+ year with Jeremy Renner's headlining project as Clint Barton. The show primarily focused on his relationship with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), as well as the repercussions of his post-Blip stint as the Ronin.

Because of his status as a founding MCU hero, Hawkeye featured several references to his fellow original Avengers. That included a flashback to Black Widow's (Scarlett Johansson) death in Avengers: Endgame, a sighting of Stark Tech arrows, and Rogers: The Musical — a Broadway show that tackled the events of the Battle of New York. But the stage play wasn't the only time that 2012's The Avengers was revisited on the Disney+ series. In fact, Hawkeye began with a flashback to the Chitauri invasion led by Loki (Tom Hiddleston), although shown from Kate Bishop's perspective as she watched Barton valiantly fight with only his bow and arrow. But apparently, he wasn't the only one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes that was featured in the scene.

Per The Direct, the Hulk was also featured in the sequence. ILM Visual Effects Supervisor Vincent Papaix confirmed this to the outlet after online chatter started theorizing that the green-rage monster was also part of the scene. "It is indeed Hulk jumping from building to building and getting a blast from a Chitauri weapon," Papaix said. While he didn't specify, considering Kate's location, chances are that she also saw Bruce Banner's alter ego survive a massive volley of alien lasers. Still, it was Barton's efforts that made a significant impact on her.

Following the Infinity Saga's culmination in Avengers: Endgame, only three of MCU's founding heroes are left as active players in the franchise. That includes Hawkeye and Hulk, with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) as the third. However, it's unclear when they'll reunite considering that each one is currently busy with their personal arcs. There have been questions about why none of the remaining MCU heroes got involved in Barton's troubles in Hawkeye. Granted the God of Thunder is most likely still off-world with the Guardians of the Galaxy, but Bruce could've easily reached out considering Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings confirmed that he's been keeping in touch with other characters.

As the MCU's Phase 4 shapes up, the chances of Hulk, Hawkeye, and even Thor coming together are getting slim — at least for now. Marvel Studios is focusing on solo adventures, with a culminating project such as a theoretical Avengers 5 still far down the road. But as Hawkeye proved, Marvel can also be creative in terms of making sure that fans don't forget how much the remaining trio has been through as part of the original Avengers roster. Considering the MCU's interconnected storytelling format, revisiting the events of the Infinity Saga is almost inevitable.

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Source: The Direct