Jeremy Renner Reveals Why He Turned Down Hawkeye Season 2 Offer
In a recent interview with High Performance, Jeremy Renner, the actor behind Clint Barton in the Disney+ series "Hawkeye", has shed light on why there will be no second season of the show… yet. According to Variety, Renner revealed that he was offered a significantly reduced salary for the second season, which he promptly turned down.
Renner, who has been open about his near-fatal snowmobile accident in 2023, believes that the reduced offer may have been a result of his injuries. "They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money," he 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.’" As reported by Variety, Renner was not impressed with the offer, suggesting that it was an insult.
The actor went on to express his disappointment with the offer, stating that it was not just about the money, but also about the lack of respect for his craft. "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,’" he said. As Variety reported, Renner’s accident left him with severe injuries, including eight broken ribs, a broken right knee and ankle, and a broken left leg tibia and ankle.
Renner’s injuries were sustained when his Sno-Cat, a large snow plow, ran him over while he was trying to help his nephew out of the snow near his home in Lake Tahoe. The accident occurred on January 1, 2023, and left the actor hospitalized for an extended period. According to Variety, Renner’s recovery has been long and arduous, and he has been open about the physical and emotional challenges he has faced.
Despite turning down the offer for the second season, Renner has not ruled out a return to "Hawkeye" in the future. "Sadly, I still love the character. I’d still love to do it, but I had to defend myself," he said. As reported by Variety, Renner emphasized that he did not ask for a higher salary, but rather the same amount he was paid for the first season. "I didn’t ask for any more money, mind you. Just pay me what I made the first season," he said.
The first season of "Hawkeye" debuted on Disney+ in late 2021 and starred Hailee Steinfeld and Florence Pugh alongside Renner. While Marvel has not commented on the situation, Renner’s interview with Variety provides insight into the reasons behind his decision to turn down the offer. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Renner will return to the role of Clint Barton in the future.