Marvel fans wondering why Hawkeye appears to be missing from Avengers: Doomsday have a familiar question: has Jeremy Renner’s time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally come to an end? The actor’s future as Clint Barton has attracted attention as Marvel prepares its next major Avengers film, but there is an important distinction between a character being absent from an announced cast and the character being permanently written out of the franchise.
For UK fans, the key issue is what Renner has actually said, whether Marvel has confirmed Hawkeye’s absence, and what it could mean for the next chapter of the Avengers story.
What Jeremy Renner actually said about Hawkeye
The latest clarification came during a Q&A appearance at Comic Con Liverpool. In comments reported on 12 October, Renner directly addressed whether he would appear in Avengers: Doomsday and ruled himself out of the film.
“No, no, no, no. Not in that one,” he said. He then joked: “Doomsday I’m not in, so The Avengers will probably lose, just so you know… they didn’t call me, so it’s their fault they’re going to lose.”
His explanation is more straightforward than some fan theories suggest: Renner says Marvel did not ask him to return for this film. He has not publicly given a detailed explanation of the studio’s creative or casting decisions in this exchange.
That distinction matters. The actor has confirmed he is not involved in Doomsday, but his comments do not establish whether Marvel has plans for Hawkeye in later films.
Marvel’s published cast list also excludes Renner, lending support to his statement.
Why Hawkeye’s absence matters to the Avengers story
Hawkeye is one of the original Avengers, alongside heroes such as Iron Man, Thor and Captain America. Unlike many of his teammates, Clint Barton has no superhuman powers; he relies on his archery, combat skills and experience.
His absence is notable because Renner’s character has already missed a major Avengers instalment. Hawkeye did not appear in Avengers: Infinity War, with Renner previously attributing that decision to the needs of the story. He returned in Avengers: Endgame, where Clint’s personal losses and his transformation into Ronin became important parts of the plot.
The new film brings together established Marvel heroes, characters from the Fantastic Four and returning X-Men figures to confront Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. The scale of that ensemble means the filmmakers must choose which characters best serve the story.
A missing name does not necessarily mean a character has been abandoned. Large franchise films regularly leave familiar heroes out to make room for other storylines, manage the size of the cast or save developments for a later instalment.
Does this mean Hawkeye is leaving the MCU?
No such conclusion has been confirmed. Renner’s remarks concern Avengers: Doomsday, not his entire future with Marvel.
The next major film, Avengers: Secret Wars, is scheduled to follow Doomsday. However, fans should not treat Renner’s wording as confirmation that he will appear in that sequel either. Marvel has not officially announced a Hawkeye return for it.
There is also no evidence in Renner’s latest comments that his absence is connected to his serious 2023 snowplough accident. Linking the casting decision to his recovery without reliable evidence would be speculation.
What Marvel fans should watch for next
For UK audiences, Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 18 December 2026, according to Disney’s UK film page.
Fans hoping for more information about Hawkeye should focus on three developments:
- Official cast announcements: Marvel or Disney confirmation is more reliable than social media rumours.
- New trailers and promotional interviews: These may reveal additional characters, although trailers do not always show the complete cast.
- Updates on Secret Wars: Any confirmed announcement involving Renner would help clarify whether Clint Barton has a future in the next Avengers storyline.
Until then, it is best to separate what Renner has said from what fans hope will happen.
The bottom line
Jeremy Renner has now made his position clear: he will not appear in Avengers: Doomsday, and he says Marvel did not contact him about joining the film. His joke that the Avengers could lose without Hawkeye has added humour to the news, but it is not a spoiler about the film’s ending.
Hawkeye’s absence is confirmed by Renner’s own comments, while the reason behind Marvel’s casting decision remains unexplained. For now, fans can look forward to the December release without assuming that Clint Barton’s story is over.