Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe could introduce TWO replacements for Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye. After spending the last decade as a supporting character in the MCU, Phase 4 and Disney+ will finally allow for a solo Hawkeye production. The Disney+ series was announced in 2019 and will put Clint Barton in a leading role for the first time.

A starring role for Clint Barton will come at a time when Hawkeye's story in the MCU could be nearing its end. He's spent years risking his life to save the world and has now watched multiple friends die in their attempts to do so. But, it was the vanishing of his family caused by Thanos' snap that sent him over the edge, as he ditched the Hawkeye wardrobe to become Ronin in Avengers: Endgame. This darker path for the character is likely behind him, though, since the Barton family is now alive and well, and Clint might finally be ready to lay down the bow and arrows for good. If retirement is in Hawkeye's future, two replacements could come in a short time.

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The Hawkeye Disney+ will focus on Clint Barton's story, but Marvel could introduce multiple characters to replace him moving forward. Marvel Studios has already confirmed that Kate Bishop will be heavily featured in Hawkeye, and she should have a bright future in the MCU after Clint helps mentor her. However, Hawkeye is also the perfect place to introduce Maya Lopez, the original Ronin in the comics. If Marvel does move in this direction, then the MCU could have two Hawkeye replacements before Phase 4 comes to a close.

Echo takes on the Kingpin in Marvel comics

Kate Bishop becoming the new Hawkeye for the MCU's future is extremely likely. In the comics, Kate takes over the Hawkeye mantle after Clint died. She idolizes him after Hawkeye saved her in the past, and they eventually formed a great working relationship and friendship afterward after his death was reversed. This origin and her approaching MCU debut have made Kate the clear heir apparent to the Hawkeye mantle, regardless of whether or not Clint continues to be part of the franchise.

As for Maya Lopez becoming the MCU's new Ronin, her introduction could be done in several ways. Maya is a deaf Native American woman who is an expert fighter due to her photographic reflexes and originally went by Echo in the comics. It wasn't until after Wilson Fisk tricked her into hunting down Daredevil that Maya adopted the Ronin identity, where she hunted down The Hand in Japan and worked with the Avengers. The MCU has already shown Barton as Ronin fighting the Yakuza in Japan, so he might have even already encountered Maya and will train her to be a hero as well.

The possibility of both Kate Bishop and Maya Lopez being introduced in Phase 4 and taking on Clint Barton's previous heroic titles is exciting to consider. Marvel Studios will have two more prominent female characters that could lead new projects, while Maya would mark the second deaf hero in the MCU, with Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) in The Eternals the first. Meanwhile, both Kate and Maya can be used as building blocks to continue growing the MCU. Kate can help push the universe towards Young Avengers, and Maya could be used to bring Daredevil, Fisk, Elektra, and more into the fold as well.

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