Jeremy Renner may return as Clint Barton, but apparently not in Avengers: Doomsday. The actor has hinted at a different Marvel project that could bring together a new generation of heroes.
Renner’s most recent MCU appearance was the 2021 series Hawkeye. A second season never moved forward, making a full return for the character increasingly uncertain.
Renner points towards the West Coast Avengers
The actor recently posted a photo on social media showing several West Coast Avengers comic books. That choice of reading material has prompted speculation about a possible screen adaptation, although no project has been officially announced.
Marvel Comics introduced the California-based team in 1984 as an offshoot of the main Avengers group, which traditionally operated from New York. Hawkeye was one of its founding members. The roster has also included Mockingbird, Wonder Man, Tigra, War Machine and Vision.
Which MCU characters could be involved?
A West Coast Avengers story could give several existing MCU characters another route back into the franchise. Wonder Man made his MCU debut in a critically acclaimed series released this year, although Disney has since cancelled the show. Paul Bettany is also playing Vision in VisionQuest.
The most recent comic-book version of the team was led by Kate Bishop, the second Hawkeye introduced in the 2021 series alongside Renner’s Clint Barton. Hailee Steinfeld played Bishop. That line-up also featured America Chavez, portrayed by Xochitl Gomez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
With a Young Avengers series appearing increasingly unlikely, a West Coast Avengers project could occupy a similar space by bringing younger heroes and established characters together.
For readers who enjoy following entertainment news alongside arcade and gaming news, the developing story is a reminder that superhero teams remain fertile ground for new adaptations. The same character-led approach also shapes many arcade machine collections, where familiar heroes often help define a cabinet’s appeal.
Why did Hawkeye season 2 fall through?
There had been discussions about continuing Hawkeye, but negotiations ultimately broke down. Renner suffered numerous broken bones in a 2023 accident. In 2025, he said he had been offered half his season-one salary for a second season and regarded the proposal as insulting.
“We didn’t see eye to eye on that, sadly,” Renner said on High Performance. “I still love the character, I’d still love to do it, but I had to defend myself.”
Renner has repeatedly said he would be willing to play Hawkeye in other projects. He has also stated that he is not part of this year’s Avengers: Doomsday, despite the number of returning MCU veterans expected to appear.
Marvel performers are routinely expected to protect major story details, so Renner’s absence cannot be confirmed with complete certainty until the film reaches cinemas. For now, his comic-book photo is best treated as a tease rather than confirmation of a West Coast Avengers production.
Fans can follow further developments through RETROCADE’s arcade videos and entertainment coverage.
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