From Near-Death Back to Superhero: Jeremy Renner Hints at ‘Hawkeye’ Season 2

It’s been two and a half years since Jeremy Renner nearly died after being crushed by his own snowplow. Technically, he did briefly die, and even described it as “magical.”

“It is the most exhilarating peace you could ever feel,” he explained on “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa.” “You don’t see anything but what’s in your mind’s eye. Like, you’re the atoms of who you are, the DNA, your spirit. It’s the highest adrenaline rush, but the peace that comes with it… it’s magnificent.”

Since then, the world has been rooting for him as he’s recovered. But one recurring question has been, Will he come back as Marvel’s Hawkeye? While pay disputes seemed to suggest otherwise, the actor appears to confirm that it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” he’ll return.

Chuck Zlotnick

Jeremy Renner Promises Big Moves Ahead – ‘I’m More Than 150%’ Ready

“I’m always happy to be in that world, man,” Renner told “Empire Online” about returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “I love all those guys, I love the character.”

When the topic of the Disney+ series “Hawkeye” comes up, he expressed certainty that it’s happening.

Marvel Studios/Disney+

“I’m sure we’ll end up doing Season 2, and do other things. And I’m happy to do it,” he says. “My body’s getting ready for something like that. I don’t know if anybody wants to see me in tights, but my body will look good in the tights.”

While his answers will be a relief to many fans, there is still the matter of the strength and flexibility of the character, something which he also addressed. When asked if he could do a jump, turn in the air, and shoot an arrow, Renner didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely. No problem,” he said. “That’s where I’m at. I’m more than 150 per cent of what I was prior to the incident.” 

Renner Was Locked in a Pay Dispute Over ‘Hawkeye’

The “Hurt Locker” actor has said numerous times that he’d like to come back, even telling “Entertainment Tonight” in February 2024, “I’m always game.” But that was put into doubt when he disclosed to the “High Performance” podcast that a pay dispute could keep him from picking the bow back up.

“They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money,” Renner said. “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. 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.’”

“This is not Marvel, mind you,” he clarified. “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. And sadly, I still love the character, I’d still love to do it, but I had to defend myself.”