Jeremy Renner Reveals Hawkeye's Fate In 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron'
At this point, we only have a vague idea of what Avengers: Age of Ultron is even about. But now we know how it's going to end, at least for one major character. In a recent chat with Larry King, Jeremy Renner addressed a certain rumor about Hawkeye's fate in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Hit the jump to see what he had to say. (Obviously, light spoilers for Age of Ultron are ahead.)
Although fans have speculated that Hawkeye could bite the dust in Avengers: Age of Ultron, we haven't seen much evidence that that's the case. Indeed, Renner was saying just a few days ago that he expected to show up in Captain America 3, which as far as we know takes place after Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Moreover, while director Joss Whedon is known to kill off characters, Marvel Studios isn't. Like really, really isn't, to the point where some people are getting annoyed by it. Phil Coulson dies in The Avengers only to get resurrected for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bucky Barnes comes back to life as Winter Soldier for the Captain America sequel, and so on.
Ten films in, all of the truly popular Marvel Cinematic Universe characters, including all six of the Avengers, are very much alive. Renner's Hawkeye may not be as beloved or as central as Chris Evans' Captain America or Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, but he's still a part of the team, and his comic book counterpart is extremely popular.
It's certainly possible that Renner is lying here, as actors do all the time when they've got a gazillion-dollar franchise to protect. But if Hawkeye's death were a real possibility in the movie, it's more likely Renner would be playing coy. Based on his comments, it sounds like Hawkeye not only survives, he doesn't even come close to dying.
Which is great, because at this point we're still just barely getting to know the guy. He had probably the least screentime of any Avenger in The Avengers, and for most of that film he was a brainwashed baddie. Kevin Feige's promised Hawkeye will have more to do going forward, and we can't wait to see what they have in store for him.
Avengers: Age of Ultron opens May 1, 2015.