In light of Jeremy Renner’s birthday, Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo shares a sweet image taken while filming the Marvel Studios blockbuster. Captain America: Civil War marks the first time Joe and his brother Anthony Russo collaborated with Renner as Clint Barton aka Hawkeye. Since the Avengers’ resident bow and arrow-wielding hero skipped Avengers: Infinity War, it wouldn’t be until Avengers: Endgame that they would team up again. Now that the Russos are no longer involved in the MCU, they haven’t worked with each other again since the Infinity Saga’s end, but they remain great friends off camera.
Renner celebrates turning 52 years old this year on the heels of a snowplowing accident that almost claimed his life. Several fellow MCU actors have already sent their message of love, support, and well-wishes to the Renner, but in light of his extra special birthday, the Russo Brothers took it to their official Instagram account to greet the actor with an image of Joe, his daughter, Ava (who plays one of Barton’s kids), and Renner from their days of working on Avengers: Endgame. Based on their outfits, not to mention Zoe Saldana in the background, chances are that this was taken during the gathering for MCU’s 10th Anniversary photoshoot. Check out the image below:
When Hawkeye & His Family Can Return In The MCU
There were rumblings that Barton’s MCU arc will end in Hawkeye. After Avengers: Endgame failed to fully explore his time as Ronin, his criminal past started haunting him, with his secret vigilante identity on the cusp of being exposed to the world. Luckily for him, he was able to keep his alternate profile tightly under wraps thanks to the help of Kate Bishop, who is poised as his successor in Marvel Studios’ in-progress Young Avengers line-up. Ultimately, Barton was able to return to his family and possibly retire for good. But, considering what’s coming in the MCU, it’s safe to say that it’s only a matter of time before he re-emerges.
Admittedly, Hawkeye could have served as the swan song for the hero. The show repeatedly made it clear that Barton no longer has an Avengers future in the MCU and there are currently no lingering plot points that need to be addressed with urgency. Granted, Marvel Studios can mine inspiration from the comics and have him spearhead the West Coast Avengers, but it doesn’t seem like the franchise is actively setting that up at this point. However, Renner and his family could make an appearance in culminating films such as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and/or Avengers: Secret Wars. Before that, they could even factor in Marvel’s Thunderbolts in light of Hawkeye’s recent entanglement with Yelena Belova.
For now, Barton is retired from his duty as a superhero. He isn’t involved in any of the running narratives in the franchise and is opting to live a quiet life with his family on their farm. Considering everything he has gone through, this decision makes sense for the devoted father. But as one of the remaining original Avengers after Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios will eventually find a way to coax him out of retirement again for a brand-new mission.
Source: Russo Brothers/Instagram
