Jeremy Renner isn’t mincing words when it comes to why Hawkeye hasn’t come back for a second season. According to him, it all boils down to being offered half the salary he earned the first time around.
In a candid interview with High Performance, Renner revealed that when Marvel approached him to reprise his role as Clint Barton, the deal was insulting. Her said:
“They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money. I’m like, ‘Well, it’s going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money, and eight months of my time, essentially, to do it for half the amount.’”
What made the offer even more frustrating for Renner was the sense that his 2023 near-death accident might’ve played a role in the pay cut.
“I’m like, ‘I’m sorry? Why? Did you think I’m only half the Jeremy because I got ran over? Maybe that’s why you want to pay me half of what I made on the first season.’”
On January 1, 2023, a 14,330-pound Sno-Cat plowed over him while he was helping his nephew during a snowstorm near Lake Tahoe. The actor suffered massive injuries: eight ribs broken in 14 places, a shattered right knee and ankle, a broken left leg tibia and ankle, a busted clavicle, and more.
Renner made it clear this wasn’t about a creative disagreement with Marvel, saying:
“This is not Marvel, mind you. This is like, just Disney, not even really Disney. It’s just the penny pinchers, the accountants. I told them to go fly a kite. I mean, just at the insult offer. So we didn’t see eye to eye on it.”
Despite the disappointing negotiations, Renner still holds affection for the role, and added:
“Sadly, I still love the character. I’d still love to do it, but I had to defend myself. I didn’t ask for any more money, mind you. Just pay me what I made the first season.”
And while he’s left the door cracked open for a possible return down the line, for now, it’s not in the cards.
“It’s all disheartening that that didn’t happen, but that’s fine. I’m happy to let that go, because my body’s probably thanking me, time and time again, that I’m not doing it right now. But we’ll see.”
Damn! That sucks. It’s crazy to me that they would make Renner an offer for half of what he made doing the first season. It’s a shame that this is how things wen’t down. These studios need to show some respect.
The first season of Hawkeye, co-starring Hailee Steinfeld and Florence Pugh, premiered in late 2021 on Disney+, and quickly became a holiday favorite among MCU fans. Whether Clint Barton ever picks up the bow again remains to be seen, but it won’t be for half price.
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