Jeremy Renner Reveals Shocking Reason for Passing on Hawkeye Season 2
In a candid interview with the High Performance sports podcast, Jeremy Renner has disclosed that he turned down an offer to return for Hawkeye season 2 due to a significant pay cut. According to the actor, Disney offered him half of his original season one salary, a move he described as "insulting" and a clear example of the studio’s "penny pinching" tactics.
Renner’s comments come after a tumultuous year for the actor, who was involved in a devastating snowplow accident in 2023 that nearly cost him his life. The accident required months of rehabilitation, and Renner’s comments suggest that Disney’s offer was a bitter pill to swallow. "They asked me to do season two, and they offered me half the money," Renner said. "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? I’m like, ‘I’m sorry, why? Did you think I’m only half the Jeremy because I got ran over?’ Is that why you want to pay me half of what I made on the first season?"
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Disney for comment, and while a spokesperson disputed Renner’s claims, they did not provide further details. Renner’s frustration with the offer is palpable, and he made it clear that he was not seeking a significant increase in pay. "I didn’t ask for any more money, mind you," he said. "Just pay me what you paid me the first season. So it’s a little disheartening that didn’t happen, but that’s fine. I’m happy to let that go, because my body’s probably thanking me that I’m not doing that right now."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first season of Hawkeye was a critical and commercial success, earning a 92 percent positive score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 88 percent audience score. The show was also a Top 10 show in the streaming ratings, and grew week after week during its five-week run, with its finale peaking with 938 million minutes of viewing time during Christmas week.
Renner’s comments have sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of actors in the entertainment industry, particularly when it comes to compensation. Typically, an actor’s salary tends to increase for subsequent seasons of a TV show, but it appears that Disney was unwilling to budge in this case. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, Renner was not among the cast announced for Avengers: Doomsday, although more castings are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The news that Renner turned down Hawkeye season 2 due to a pay dispute will come as a disappointment to fans of the show, but it also highlights the complexities of the entertainment industry. As Renner himself noted, "I still love the character, I would still love to do it, but I had to defend myself." The Hollywood Reporter will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
In related news, The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Marvel is expected to announce further casting details for Avengers: Doomsday in the coming months. While Renner’s status remains uncertain, fans will be eagerly awaiting news on the upcoming film. One thing is certain, however: Jeremy Renner’s comments have shed light on the often-contentious world of entertainment industry negotiations.
