Marvel fans, grab your bows, this one’s explosive! Jeremy Renner, the beloved actor behind Clint Barton/Hawkeye, just slammed Disney for offering him a shockingly low deal to return for Hawkeye Season 2. The drama has fans asking: Is Marvel sidelining its original Avengers? And why is Disney slashing budgets and salaries so aggressively?
Let’s dive into the messy clash between Renner and Disney, unpack Marvel’s new cost cutting era, and what this means for Hawkeye’s future in the MCU.
The Pay Dispute: “Half the Money for Twice the Work?”
In a candid interview, Jeremy Renner revealed Disney’s Business Affairs department offered him 50% less than his Hawkeye Season 1 salary to return for Season 2. Renner, who survived a near-fatal snowplough accident in 2023, didn’t hold back:
“They asked me to do Season 2 but offered half the money. I’m like, ‘Why? Am I only half the Jeremy now because I got run over?’ It will take me twice the work for half the pay.”
Renner earned roughly $15–20 million for Hawkeye Season 1 (including backend bonuses), but Disney’s new offer reportedly mirrors his per-episode rate from 2021, a fraction of his Avengers paycheck.
Marvel’s Budget Slash: From $225M Shows to “Cheap” Solutions
Disney+ is no longer splurging on Marvel shows. After She-Hulk 225M and Secret Invasion 225M underperformed, the studio is tightening budgets. Hawkeye Season 2 is now planned as a single-location thriller (inspired by The Raid: Redemption) to cut costs.
Sources say Marvel wants to focus on Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, positioning her as the new Hawkeye and a Young Avenger. This shift could reduce Renner’s role to a mentor figure or even a cameo, which Disney may use to justify lower pay.
Disney’s “Business Affairs”: The Cold, Robotic Negotiators
Renner clarified that Marvel head Kevin Feige isn’t behind the lowball offer. Instead, Disney’s Business Affairs team a department notorious for penny-pinching, handles contracts. These negotiators aim to pay actors the minimum required, treating talent like line items in a budget.
This isn’t new:
- Scarlett Johansson sued Disney in 2021 for releasing Black Widow on Disney+, slashing her box-office bonuses.
- Even Robert Downey Jr. had to fight for his massive Avengers paydays.
For Disney, it’s simple: Why pay Avengers-level salaries for Disney+ shows?
What’s Next for Hawkeye in the MCU?
Avengers Movies Are Safe
Renner’s MCU future in films like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars isn’t at risk. Kevin Feige personally oversees Avengers casting, and Hawkeye remains a key original hero.
Will There Be a Hawkeye Season 2?
Marvel seems ready to move on. Leaks suggest Hawkeye Season 2 will focus on Kate Bishop teaming up with Young Avengers (like Ms. Marvel and America Chavez) against Clint’s brother, Trickshot. Renner’s role could shrink to voiceovers or flashbacks—unless Feige steps in.
Marvel’s Bigger Problem: Talent vs. Budgets
Disney’s streaming losses ($ 4 B+ since 2020) have forced Marvel to rethink its strategy:
- Cheaper shows: Daredevil: Born Again’s budget was slashed mid-production.
- Fewer seasons: Most Disney+ shows won’t get sequels (Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel).
- New stars: Younger, cheaper actors like Hailee Steinfeld are taking the spotlight.
This isn’t just about Renner, it’s a warning to all legacy MCU actors.
Key Takeaways
- Pay Cut Drama: Disney offered Renner half his Season 1 salary for Hawkeye S2.
- Marvel’s New Era: Budget cuts mean smaller roles for original Avengers and cheaper productions.
- Kate Bishop’s Rise: Hailee Steinfeld’s Hawkeye is Marvel’s future.
- Feige’s Power: Renner’s movie roles are safe, but TV shows are low priority.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Will Jeremy Renner quit the MCU?
A: Unlikely. He’s still open to Avengers films, but Hawkeye S2 talks are stalled.
Q: Why is Marvel cutting budgets?
A: Disney+ is losing money, and films like The Marvels flopped. Cheap TV shows are now the focus.
Q: Could Renner negotiate a better deal?
A: Possibly—if fan backlash pressures Disney. Remember, ScarJo’s lawsuit made Disney rethink strategies.
Q: When is Hawkeye Season 2 releasing?
A: Not confirmed. Marvel hasn’t greenlit it yet, but leaks point to a 2026 release if it happens.
Final Thoughts
Jeremy Renner’s pay dispute exposes Hollywood’s harsh truth: Loyalty means little when profits are at stake. While Clint Barton may still shoot arrows in Avengers films, his Disney+ days seem numbered. For Marvel, the message is clear legacy heroes must make way for cheaper, newer stars.
Will Kevin Feige step in to save Hawkeye? Or is this the end of Clint Barton’s standalone story? Sound off below!
