I was catching up on entertainment news this morning, May 2, 2025, at 10:47 AM IST, when a headline grabbed my attention: Jeremy Renner revealed he denied Hawkeye Season 2 after being offered only half of his Season 1 salary. As a longtime Marvel fan—I’ve been rooting for the Avengers since I watched Iron Man with my dad back in 2008—this news hit me hard. Renner has been a staple of the MCU as Clint Barton since his debut in 2011’s Thor, and Hawkeye Season 1 was a delightful mix of Christmas cheer and superhero action that I binged with my brother over the 2021 holidays. So why did Renner walk away from a second season? Let’s unpack this salary drama, why it’s a bigger issue than just one actor, and what it means for fans like me.
The Salary Slash That Broke the Archer’s Bow
Renner shared the bombshell in a recent interview with the High Performance podcast while promoting his memoir, My Next Breath. He explained that Disney approached him for Hawkeye Season 2 but offered him just half of what he earned for the first season in 2021. “They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money,” Renner said. “I’m like, ‘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.’” He even quipped that Disney might have thought he was “only half the Jeremy” because of his near-fatal 2023 snowplow accident, which left him with over 30 broken bones and a grueling recovery. Renner called the offer an “insult” and told Disney’s accountants to “go fly a kite.”
I can’t blame him for being upset. Hawkeye Season 1 was a hit, earning a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and racking up nearly a billion viewing minutes for its finale during Christmas week 2021. Renner, as one of the original Avengers, has been a key part of the MCU for over a decade. Offering him half his salary—especially after a life-threatening accident that included eight broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a fractured orbital bone—feels like a slap in the face. I remember watching Renner’s emotional recovery updates on Instagram, marveling at his resilience. To think Disney might have used his accident as leverage to lowball him makes my blood boil. Renner clarified that this wasn’t Marvel Studios’ decision but rather the “penny pinchers” at Disney, the parent company, which only deepens my frustration with corporate greed in Hollywood.
A Bigger Picture of Hollywood’s Disrespect
This isn’t just about Renner—it’s a symptom of a larger issue. Typically, an actor’s salary increases for subsequent seasons of a successful show, not the other way around. Hawkeye was a Top 10 streaming show, and Renner’s dynamic with Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop was a highlight—I loved their mentor-student banter, especially in that Christmasy New York setting. So why the pay cut? Some speculate Disney might have wanted to shift the focus to Kate Bishop, making Renner a supporting character, but an eight-month commitment for half the pay still doesn’t add up. Others suggest Disney overpaid for Season 1 during their early streaming boom and is now tightening budgets after mixed returns on MCU shows. But cutting the salary of a lead actor—one of the original Avengers, no less—by 50%? That’s not just budget-conscious; it’s disrespectful.
I can’t help but draw parallels to other recent Hollywood controversies. Carrie Coon, who voiced Proxima Midnight in Avengers: Infinity War, also turned down a return for Endgame over a salary dispute, despite the film’s massive success. It’s a pattern: studios raking in billions while undervaluing the talent that makes those profits possible. As a fan, it’s disheartening to see actors who bring these characters to life treated like line items on a spreadsheet. Renner didn’t even ask for a raise—just to be paid what he made for Season 1. His frustration resonates with me because I’ve seen friends in creative fields get lowballed by big companies, expected to work harder for less simply because “it’s a privilege” to be there. It’s a reminder that even A-listers like Renner aren’t immune to corporate exploitation.
What This Means for Hawkeye and MCU Fans
For fans like me, this news is a gut punch. Hawkeye Season 1 left me wanting more of Clint and Kate’s adventures, especially after the introduction of characters like Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin. Marvel’s Brad Winderbaum even said earlier this year that Hawkeye was a show they’d love to revisit, citing its Christmas setting and the Clint-Kate dynamic as perfect for a second season. But without Renner, that vision feels hollow. Sure, Kate Bishop could carry a show on her own—Steinfeld is a rising star, and I loved her spunky energy—but the heart of Hawkeye was the partnership between her and Renner’s grizzled veteran. Losing that chemistry would be a shame.
Renner hasn’t closed the door entirely. He emphasized that he still loves the character and would return if offered a fair deal, saying, “I didn’t ask for any more money, mind you. Just pay me what I made the first season.” But his absence from the announced cast of Avengers: Doomsday—which includes heavyweights like Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr.—makes me wonder if we’ll see Clint Barton again anytime soon. Posts on X show fans are just as upset, with many calling out Disney’s greed and praising Renner for standing up for himself. One sentiment I saw echoed my own: “Hawkeye was one of the best MCU shows, and they fumbled it over a salary dispute? Disney’s priorities are messed up.”
Why This Hits Close to Home
This story hits me personally because Hawkeye was more than just a show—it was a comfort watch during a tough time. In 2021, I was dealing with a lot of family stress, and those six episodes, with their mix of action, humor, and holiday vibes, were a much-needed escape. Renner’s portrayal of Clint as a weary hero trying to get home for Christmas reminded me of my own dad, who’s always put family first despite his own struggles. Seeing Renner disrespected like this feels like a betrayal of that emotional connection. It also makes me question the MCU’s direction. With recent flops like Kraven the Hunter losing $71 million in 2024 and the mixed reception to some Disney+ shows, maybe Disney is cutting corners to offset losses—but at what cost to the fans and the talent?
Looking ahead, I’m still excited for projects like Wednesday Season 2, which just added Anthony Michael Hall, and The Elephant Man with Adam Pearson. But Renner’s situation leaves a sour taste. I hope Disney reconsiders and gives him the respect he deserves—because Clint Barton, and Jeremy Renner, are worth it. What do you think—should Renner have taken the deal, or did he make the right call? I’d love to hear your thoughts as we wait to see if Hawkeye ever takes aim again!
Source: Variety
