Draw Back Your Bow: Jeremy Renner Talks About Hawkeye Spin-Off For Netflix

As Disney prepares for a box office battle on the cusp of the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, fans of the MCU surely can't wait to see Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor back in action. However, shall we spare a thought for poor Jeremy Renner and his time as Hawkeye?

Since premiering in an uncredited cameo in 2011's Thor, we have seen the roguish Renner play Clint Barton across several MCU entries and suit up once again for #InfinityWar. Criticism has been harsh on the character, and after being sidelined in favor of big(ger) stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth, should Renner be aiming to hit a different target with his very own Hawkeye series for #Netflix?

Off-Target

Even with Renner contracted to play Hawkeye until 2019, you can't help but feel that he is the abandoned Avenger that the MCU doesn't really know what to do with. All that could change though, and speaking to We Got This Covered, Renner revealed that he would very much be on board with taking the lead on a show solely about the skilled marksman:

"It’s not a decision I get to make. It’s not an option that has been on the table ever. But any way I get to explore the Clint Barton/Hawkeye character is always interesting to me."

Apart from being possessed by Loki and engaging in some extra-marital flirting with Black Widow, what else has there been for Barton to really do in the MCU? Worryingly, this in turn raises the question, "does Hawkeye really need his own show?" Just because some fans of the comics say Hawkeye has been mistreated by Kevin Feige and co., this doesn't necessarily mean we should give every lackluster character their own show to please their fanbase. If this is the case, where is the Baron Zemo spin-off, a Thunderbolt Ross adventure, or a Crossbones continuation?

We may have seen The CW push forward to hit a relative bullseye with their very own "Hawkeye" and five seasons of Arrow — another on the way — but would a Renner-centric show really have the same pull? Part of Arrow's charm is its campy take on DC's heroes and cameos from the good and the great of the comics outside of the DCEU. With the MCU spanning both TV and cinema, it is hard to imagine Scarlett Johansson popping by for a cup of tea in a Hawkeye guest spot.

Staying Hawk-Eyed

Admittedly, Barton's less-powerful skillset makes him a great candidate for the likes of a Netflix supes series, but the company already has its plate full with a mixed bag of shows. After taking an Iron Fist to the face, sticking a Hawkeye flop out there might just twist the knife a little too far. Also, #Netflix is undoubtedly a great home for smaller heroes like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, but would it not feel like a step down to take Renner from the blockbusting big screen Avengers movies and just plonk him on the streaming platform?

More likely, Barton would be a welcome addition to a Black Widow solo film or even her own limited series on TV (again, facing the same problems though). While talk of Natasha Romanoff getting her own cinematic outing has always been discussed, it would probably make more sense to team her with Renner and have them tackle the idea together.

The all-star cast of Infinity War could certainly help redeem Barton, but I doubt it will make him the new Tony Stark in terms of fan favoritism. That being said, even if Renner is just another lackluster supporting member cast, we don't see him going anywhere from the #MCU just yet. If he does survive that brush with Thanos, who knows what the future will hold for our hero. Remember, Jezza, keep your (Hawk)eye on the prize!

(Source: We Got This Covered)