Jeremy Renner Ready for MCU Return: “I’m More Than 150 Percent of What I Was”

Hawkeye Star Opens Up About Grueling Recovery from Near-Fatal Accident, Teases Season Two Amidst Past Salary Disputes and a Transformed Outlook on Life and Fitness.

Gurugram, Haryana, India: Marvel fans, get ready! Jeremy Renner, the beloved star behind the sharpshooting Avenger Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, is not only back in fighting form but also gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In a recent interview with Empire magazine, published on Tuesday, Renner shared insights into his remarkable recovery journey and his future with the superhero franchise, even touching upon past financial hurdles for a potential “Hawkeye” Season Two.

“I’m always happy to be in that world, man. … I love all those guys, I love the character,” Renner enthusiastically stated about reprising his long-standing role. He then offered a promising hint for fans of his Disney+ series: “I’m sure we’ll end up doing season two, and do other things. And I’m happy to do it.”

These comments come after the Oscar-nominated actor previously revealed a significant snag in potential “Hawkeye” Season Two plans. Back in May, Renner had disclosed that he was offered only half of his original salary for a second season of the show, an offer that came in the wake of his horrific, near-fatal snowplow accident.

“I’m like, wow, it’s going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money — eight months of my time, essentially, and you do it for half the amount?” Renner recounted, expressing his disbelief at the time. He added, with a touch of bluntness, “I’m like, ‘I’m sorry, why? Did you think I’m only half the Jeremy because I got ran over?’ Is that why want to pay me half of what I made on the first season?” His candid reaction highlighted the perceived devaluation post-accident.

However, it seems the physical and mental demands that come with portraying Clint Barton are no longer a deterrent. Renner, who in January 2023 was “pronounced dead on the ice” after being crushed by his snowplow, shared that he’s diligently preparing his body for the rigorous physical demands of superhero work. “My body’s getting ready for something like that,” he affirmed, adding with a chuckle, “I don’t know if anybody wants to see me in tights, but my body will look good in the tights.”

The author of “My Next Breath,” Renner emphasized that his harrowing experience has profoundly reshaped his priorities, placing “health and wellness” at the very core of his life. He credits this profound shift in lifestyle as the driving force behind his incredible recovery.

“I’m more than 150 percent of what I was prior to the incident,” a testament to his resilience and dedication. “Having health and wellness be such a central part of my life, that’s what’s gotten me back. And even as I age, I just feel stronger than I’ve been.” Renner acknowledged that while he still contends with “some issues, and tendon issues and certain limitations of flexibility and mobility,” his commitment to healing has been unwavering. “I spent a lot of time on getting better and stronger, and I wouldn’t if I didn’t get crushed,” he reflected, highlighting the unexpected silver lining in his traumatic ordeal.

Renner first introduced audiences to the grounded yet formidable Avenger Clint Barton in 2012’s “The Avengers.” His character was most recently seen via archival footage in the 2024 Disney+ series “Echo.” The first season of “Hawkeye,” which saw him mentor Kate Bishop (played by Hailee Steinfeld), originally aired in 2021, leaving fans eager for more of the skilled archer’s adventures. With Renner’s renewed vigor and apparent willingness to step back into the role, the future for Hawkeye in the MCU looks brighter than ever.