Jeremy Renner Wants Hawkeye To Lead The Avengers

Jeremy Renner wants to see Hawkeye lead the next version of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Renner made his MCU debut as Clint Barton in 2011's Thor, as he had a quick cameo that introduced audiences to the archer ahead of his return in The Avengers. He went on to return in three films, with Avengers: Endgame his most recent appearance. This came after Hawkeye was left out of Avengers: Infinity War, which wasn't lost on MCU fans. Through it all, Renner's Clint Barton has mostly operated as a supporting character to the MCU's bigger heroes.

Hawkeye's time as a secondary character is coming to an end now thanks to Hawkeye. The Disney+ series finally gives Jeremy Renner a chance to take on a leading role in an MCU project. Hawkeye continues his story after Avengers: Endgame as Clint spends the days leading up to Christmas in New York with his family. It is during this time that he comes to encounter Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), and the two of them are then swept up in an adventure with an Avengers-level threat. The early reactions to Hawkeye have been quite positive, but plenty of fans have wondered what Clint Barton's MCU future looks like after the Disney+ series.

As part of the promotion for Hawkeye's Disney+ debut, Jeremy Renner spoke to BBC Radio about the show and his MCU future. The interviewer mentioned how Hawkeye has been sort of underutilized by Marvel Studios to this point, which led Renner to talk about what he wants to do with the archer next. His biggest hope is that Hawkeye becomes the next leader of the Avengers, as Renner cited Hawkeye's time leading the West Coast Avengers in the comics as a reason why he could step up with Tony Stark and Steve Rogers no longer around.

"I think where you mentioned the word, like, 'under utilized.' Well, look, he was the head of West Coast Avengers. Like, I would personally love to see him be in that sort of Captain America-leader role. Actually, which I think he would succeed in calling the shots and doing these type of things, right? Um... As a quarterback, instead of being more of a wider receiver. These type of things, right? Like, that would be really interesting, I think, to see him do."

Hawkeye strings an arrow on his bow in Captain America Civil War

Hawkeye has taken on a leadership role plenty of times in the comics, including the West Coast Avengers. The MCU could take him down this path if Renner is still interested in playing Clint Barton. It would also be another way for Marvel to expand the number of superteams in the MCU by giving the west coast its own Avengers team. Hawkeye could also take on a leadership role as the head of the main Avengers team or even with the Thunderbolts. Barton led the Thunderbolts for a time in the comics, and many fans have hoped that this could be where his MCU story heads.

Renner is certainly right that Hawkeye could fill the Avengers' void and take on the leadership position, but he isn't the only hero with a claim for that responsibility. He does have seniority among the current MCU heroes, as it's hard to imagine Thor or Hulk wanting to lead the Avengers. Instead, Hawkeye could have to contend with newer heroes like Sam Wilson's Captain America or Captain Marvel. Some in the MCU have also speculated that Wasp, Spider-Man, or Doctor Strange are also strong options. So only time will tell if Hawkeye does get a chance to lead the Avengers in the future.

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Source: BBC Radio