Marvel Studios has revealed that Jeremy Renner will not appear in the upcoming Avengers films, including Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. This news comes amid ongoing speculation about his potential return as Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye. Renner confirmed in a recent interview that he is not involved in these movies at present, hinting at a more complicated situation behind the scenes regarding his participation.
Details on Renner’s Current Status and Pay Dispute
In the interview, Renner directly addressed whether he would reprise his role, saying, “No. No,” when asked about his involvement. He added in a lighter tone,
“If they want to do [replace me with the Multiverse], they can go ahead by all means and do that [Laughs]. I’m pretty busy myself.”
Jeremy Renner, Actor
Renner also clarified rumors about a pay dispute, firmly stating it was not related to a previous personal incident. He explained that Marvel wanted to continue with Season 2 of the Hawkeye series, but the physical demands and timing posed challenges for him. He said,
“They wanted to do Season 2, and they offered the amount to do [it]. Yeah, of course, I want to do it, but it’s going to take a lot of physical work to get back into it and also just the timing because it would take a little bit more time for me physically to do the role.”
Jeremy Renner, Actor
Renner further reflected on his readiness, adding,
“Maybe I wasn’t ready last year,”
and left open the possibility of a return in the future:
“Maybe it will happen in a year or two to come. I was still in recovery.”
Jeremy Renner, Actor
How Renner’s Role Is Being Handled in the MCU
While Renner steps back from current MCU projects, the Hawkeye legacy continues through Hailee Steinfeld’s character, Kate Bishop, who is expected to play a significant role in Avengers: Doomsday. Her character will lead alongside other Young Avengers and Champions, explaining Clint Barton’s semi-retired status and absence from these upcoming battles. This transition may ease fans’ concerns about the founding hero missing from vital storylines involving major threats like Doctor Doom.
Anticipated Cast and Creative Team for Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday boasts a star-studded cast featuring Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Winston Duke, Tom Hiddleston, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, and Robert Downey Jr. Additionally, the movie will introduce several actors to the franchise, including Wyatt Russell, Simu Liu, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, Florence Pugh, Danny Ramirez, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman. The film also features appearances from stars associated with the Fantastic Four and X-Men franchises, such as Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Channing Tatum.
Recent reports suggest that Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Ryan Reynolds will join the cast as well. The film is directed by the Russo Brothers, with a screenplay by Stephen McFeely and contributions from Michael Waldron, known for his work on Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Production Timeline and What to Expect Next
Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars set to follow on December 17, 2027. Although the latter film is still in early stages and the former requires scheduled reshoots, the landscape of the MCU is clearly shifting. Jeremy Renner’s absence highlights ongoing adjustments within the franchise, particularly as it embraces multiverse storylines and new generations of heroes.
With Renner’s current position uncertain but not definitively closed, fans remain watchful for potential future appearances. Meanwhile, Avengers: Doomsday will focus on expanding the roster and exploring fresh narrative directions as it prepares to introduce a broad cast of characters into the conflict against Doctor Doom.
