Jeremy Renner is suiting up as Hakweye once again, but he isn’t telling anyone why.
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Renner, who plays the Avengers’ marksmen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, teased fans this morning with a curious update on his Whosay profile. Posting a picture of Hawkeye’s silhouette, Renner wrote “Tues morn. I find myself in costume again. I just can’t tell you why. And it still fits!”
Cue widespread speculation, which we will happily participate in. There are few different projects coming this year that could call Renner back into the Marvel Cinematic universe. Chief among them is Avengers: Age of Ultron, where Hawkeye holds a starring role. There were was a major report last month that Joss Whedon and some of the Avengers cast would reconvene in January for two week’s worth of action-heavy re-shoots. Renner was among the cast members who reportedly had to be at the ready for Whedon’s call, making the Avengers sequel the most likely possibility–if the reports hold true.
But Avengers isn’t the only place that Hawkeye could appear. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is currently working on the back half of its second season, and might want Hawkeye to headline its finale or penultimate episodes. As one of the Avengers’ two members without super abilities (or a high-tech) suit, Hawkeye could easily fit into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s more grounded approach to the world of superheroes. Plus, the show’s executive producer teased that this season’s finale would feed directly into Avengers: Age of Ultron. Hawkeye’s presence might be that key link in feeding Marvel’s television audience into its cinematic one (if such exclusivity actually exists).
Finally, Hawkeye could be swinging through New York City for a visit with Daredevil or Jessica Jones. We actually just predicted that one of Marvel’s Netflix series might feature an Avengers cameo as a show of strength from Marvel Studios. An appearance from a blockbuster actor would be the studio’s vote of confidence in their new television frontiers, while also confirming that the Netflix characters indeed exist in the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. But why Hawkeye? Well, once again, Clint Barton is likely Marvel’s best buffer between the godly exploits of The Avengers and the comparably pedestrian ones of its lesser powered characters.
Or, maybe Renner is just making an appearance at a friend’s birthday party. We hope not, but ideally more clues will surface as Marvel moves closer to Avengers: Age of Ultron, S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s midseason premiere, and Daredevil.
