Jeremy Renner Teases Hawkeye’s Possible Return in Avengers: Doomsday
Could Clint Barton be picking up his bow once again? Jeremy Renner has sparked major speculation about a potential return as Hawkeye in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The actor recently shared an image of his Hawkeye costume accompanied by the character’s familiar theme music, prompting fans to wonder whether the post was a carefully timed hint about his MCU comeback.

While Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed Renner’s appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, the timing of his post has made the possibility considerably more interesting. The tease arrived just as additional photography for the massive Avengers movie was reportedly getting underway, creating plenty of speculation that Hawkeye could be among the characters being added to the film.
Jeremy Renner Puts Hawkeye Back in the Spotlight
Renner’s social-media post was simple but immediately caught the attention of Marvel fans.
The actor shared an image of his Hawkeye costume, with the post accompanied by the Hawkeye theme. There was no direct announcement stating that Clint Barton would appear in Avengers: Doomsday, but the choice of imagery and timing was enough to send speculation into overdrive.
The timing is particularly notable because Avengers: Doomsday is reportedly undergoing additional photography. Winston Duke, who plays M’Baku in the MCU, has confirmed that additional photography for the movie is underway. Reports have also suggested that the new filming could involve additional cameos.
That has naturally led fans to connect Renner’s Hawkeye tease with the ongoing production.
However, it is important to stress that Renner’s post is not an official confirmation that he filmed anything for the movie.
Why Hawkeye’s Return Would Make Sense
If Clint Barton does return, Avengers: Doomsday would be an appropriate place for the character to make his comeback.
Hawkeye is one of the original six Avengers, having fought alongside Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk and Black Widow. With the MCU preparing one of its largest Avengers gatherings yet, Clint’s absence has been noticeable.
The upcoming movie already features an enormous collection of heroes and characters from different corners of the Marvel universe. A return from one of the original Avengers could provide another emotional connection to the MCU’s earlier years.
There is also a story reason for bringing Clint back.
Unlike Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff, Clint’s story did not end with his death. His Hawkeye series gave him an opportunity to confront the consequences of his time as Ronin and ultimately return to his family.
He also helped introduce Kate Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfeld, as the next generation of Hawkeye.
That means Clint could realistically return without undermining a permanent sacrifice or resurrection storyline.
The Last Time We Saw Clint Barton
Renner’s last MCU appearance as Hawkeye came in the 2021 Disney+ series Hawkeye.
The show followed Clint as he attempted to deal with the consequences of his past while becoming increasingly involved with Kate Bishop. The series also brought back Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, and established several potential storylines that could have been explored in a second season.
However, a second season never materialized.
Renner later revealed that he had been offered another season but rejected the proposal after being offered substantially less money than he expected. He has previously discussed the possibility of returning to the character under different circumstances, making it clear that retirement does not necessarily mean Clint Barton is permanently finished.
Could Avengers: Doomsday Be His MCU Comeback?
This is where things become particularly interesting.
Reports indicate that Marvel is currently carrying out additional filming on Avengers: Doomsday, with some reports suggesting that the extra photography could be used to add cameo appearances.
If Renner has indeed filmed material for the project, his return could potentially be relatively small rather than a major part of the main storyline.
That would make sense considering how crowded Doomsday already is.
Marvel has assembled characters from across the MCU and beyond for the movie, and the film is expected to function as a major multiverse event. A short appearance from Clint could therefore work as an emotional reunion with the Avengers without taking significant time away from the central conflict.
At the moment, though, there is no official information about how Hawkeye would fit into the story.
The Hawkeye and Kate Bishop Question
One of the biggest questions surrounding a possible return is Kate Bishop.
At the end of Hawkeye, Clint had effectively passed the torch to Kate, establishing her as a younger hero who could carry the Hawkeye name into the future.
Kate has remained part of the wider MCU conversation, and a reunion between the two characters in Avengers: Doomsday would be a natural progression.
It could also provide a meaningful moment for Clint.
Instead of simply bringing Hawkeye back because the Avengers need another fighter, Marvel could use his appearance to demonstrate the relationship between the original generation of heroes and the characters who are now taking their place.
That would give the return more emotional weight than a simple cameo.
Renner’s Return Would Be Significant After His Accident
Renner’s potential MCU comeback is also significant because of the serious accident he suffered in January 2023.
The actor was critically injured in a snowplow accident and sustained more than 30 broken bones. His recovery became a major part of his public story, and his eventual return to acting was closely followed by fans.
Renner has since resumed his career, including returning to Mayor of Kingstown and appearing in other projects.
A return as Hawkeye would therefore mark another important milestone in his comeback.
Marvel Has Not Confirmed Anything Yet
Despite all the speculation, fans should be careful about treating Renner’s post as definitive confirmation.
Marvel Studios has not officially announced Jeremy Renner as part of the cast of Avengers: Doomsday. His Hawkeye costume post could be a genuine tease, a promotional connection to another Marvel project, or simply a nostalgic nod to the character.
There is also another possibility worth considering: Renner’s Hawkeye is confirmed to appear in the upcoming Avengers Infinity Defense attraction at Disneyland’s Avengers Campus, which is scheduled to open in 2028. His costume-related post could potentially be connected to that project rather than Doomsday.
Until Marvel or Renner directly confirms the movie appearance, the safest conclusion is that Hawkeye’s return remains a strong possibility, not an established fact.
Avengers: Doomsday Is Getting Closer
Whatever happens with Hawkeye, Avengers: Doomsday is rapidly approaching.
The movie is currently scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, putting it only a few months away.
With additional photography reportedly underway and Marvel continuing to keep significant portions of the film’s story secret, the studio still has plenty of opportunities to surprise audiences.
And if Jeremy Renner really is returning, Marvel could be saving one particularly nostalgic reveal for the big screen.
Could the Original Hawkeye Join the Avengers One More Time?
For now, the answer remains unknown.
But the circumstances certainly make the theory compelling: Renner has brought Hawkeye back into the spotlight, additional photography on Doomsday is underway, and Clint Barton remains one of the few original Avengers who can return without requiring a resurrection.
After five years away from the MCU, seeing Jeremy Renner once again step into the role of Clint Barton alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes would undoubtedly be a major moment for longtime Marvel fans.
**Whether it’s a genuine Avengers: Doomsday tease or simply a clever piece of Marvel misdirection, one thing is certain: Jeremy Renner has fans reaching for their bows again.**
