Jeremy Renner is opening up about a disappointing offer he received to reprise his role as Clint Barton in a second season of Hawkeye, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series that debuted on Disney+ in 2021. In a candid new interview excerpt shared to TikTok on Thursday, May 1, Renner revealed that he was offered only half the salary he earned for the first season—despite the expectation that the workload would double.
“They asked me to do season 2, and they offered me half the money,” said Renner, 54, during an appearance on the High Performance podcast. “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.’”
Renner starred in Hawkeye opposite Hailee Steinfeld, who played Kate Bishop. The six-episode series was met with strong reviews from critics and fans alike, praised for its grounded tone and character-driven storytelling in contrast to some of Marvel’s more fantastical projects. While the show ended with hints of future adventures for the characters, Marvel has yet to officially confirm a second season.
During the interview, Renner speculated—half-jokingly—that the reduced salary offer may have been related to his near-fatal accident in early 2023, when he was crushed by his 14,000-pound Snowcat plow near his home in Lake Tahoe.
“I’m like, ‘I’m sorry? Why? Did you think I’m only half the Jeremy because I got ran over?’” Renner said, addressing what he called an “insult offer.” He added, “Maybe that’s why you want to pay me half of what I made on the first season.”
Despite the offer, Renner said he rejected the deal, quipping, “I told them to go fly a kite.” He clarified that he harbors no ill will and still holds affection for the character of Hawkeye, a role he first portrayed in 2011’s Thor and one that he reprised in multiple MCU blockbusters including The Avengers, Age of Ultron, and Endgame.
“I’d still love to do it,” Renner said. “It’s all disheartening that that didn’t happen, but that’s fine. I’m happy to let that go, because my body’s probably thanking me, time and time again, that I’m not doing it right now.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Renner’s physical health has been a focal point since his New Year’s Day 2023 accident, which left him with more than 35 broken bones and required multiple titanium implants. The actor recently published a memoir, My Next Breath, on April 29, in which he recounts the harrowing experience and his intense recovery process.
“Writing about it has been very emotionally cathartic to have to go word by word through it all again,” Renner told People magazine. “It’s part of my life every day, and it’s always a wonderful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and how fragile the body is—and how badass it is at recovery.”
In the memoir, Renner reflects on his gratitude for survival, the support of loved ones, and the mental and emotional journey of piecing his life back together. While he continues to recover, he hasn’t stepped away from Hollywood.
Renner is set to appear in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third film in Rian Johnson’s hit whodunit series starring Daniel Craig. He also stars in the Paramount+ drama Mayor of Kingstown, which has aired three successful seasons and has been renewed for a fourth.
Even as uncertainty lingers around his MCU future, Renner maintains a strong presence in both film and television, and he continues to receive support from fans and fellow actors. He recently wished Hawkeye co-star Hailee Steinfeld a happy 27th birthday on social media, calling her his “sweetest friend.”
While the fate of Hawkeye Season 2 remains unconfirmed, Renner’s comments highlight growing concerns among actors about compensation, especially in the streaming era. His remarks echo similar frustrations expressed across the industry during last year’s Hollywood strikes, when issues of residuals, workload, and fair pay came to the forefront.
ADVERTISEMENT
For now, Renner says he’s focused on health, family, and roles that bring purpose—both creatively and personally.
“I love storytelling, but I also know my limits now,” he said. “Sometimes walking away is the strongest thing you can do.”
