Every Future MCU Project Clint Barton’s Hawkeye Could Return In

Clint Barton’s Hawkeye can return in several upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and shows. Jeremy Renner has been part of the MCU since 2011 and finally got a chance to lead a project in 2021 thanks to the Hawkeye Disney+ series. The show gave Marvel more time to explore Clint Barton’s life outside of being with the Avengers, allowing audiences to see him with his kids and what a solo Hawkeye adventure looks like. Of course, Hawkeye also introduced Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) to the MCU and established a relationship between her and Clint that will eventually see her be the only Hawkeye.

Jeremy Renner’s time with the MCU does not need to be over, though, as plenty of projects could include Clint Barton’s Hawkeye. He is one of three original Avengers members still alive and active in the MCU. While Hawkeye felt like a passing of the torch (or bow and arrow in this case), it also was not a definitive conclusion to Clint’s story. After all, he has attempted to retire multiple times before only to get brought back into the superhero world. Here are the MCU projects that Hawkeye can return in during Phase 5 and beyond.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

There is a chance that Clint Barton will appear in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania to kick off Phase 5 with a mini-Avengers reunion. It is known that most of the film takes place inside the Quantum Realm, which would not work for a Hawkeye appearance. However, the MCU has also established that Clint and Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) interact occasionally. Clint’s Pym Particle arrows in Hawkeye are a sign of constant collaboration between the two unlikely Avengers. Hawkeye’s return in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could come as Clint looks to restock his inventory.

Hawkeye’s appearance could be part of the MCU cameos that Paul Rudd has teased and be more critical to the franchise’s future. It is possible that Clint visits Scott in San Francisco when he is out in California looking for a new potential Avengers headquarters. This could be a way for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania to set up the West Coast Avengers with Hawkeye and Ant-Man as leading members. Furthermore, Clint could bring Kate Bishop with him on such a journey and help pave the way for Young Avengers.

Echo

Echo is one of the most natural MCU projects for Hawkeye to return in. The upcoming MCU Disney+ show marks the return of Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez after her debut in Hawkeye. Since Echo is a spinoff from Clint Barton’s last adventure, his appearance would be logical. Hawkeye could appear in Echo after learning that Kingpin is still alive or as a chance to mentor another young superhero in Maya. After all, he has a history of mentoring and helping younger women become heroes – see Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, and Kate Bishop for reference. Echo could be an opportunity to once again help mold a future hero.

Marvel’s Thunderbolts

Hawkeye’s MCU return could happen in a slightly more surprising place with Thunderbolts. The MCU Phase 5 movie has been the subject of theories that Clint Barton will be part of the team for some time. This was partially based on the comic precedence for Hawkeye to lead the Thunderbolts. While Marvel Studios could deliver a surprise, the initial announcement for the film did include Hawkeye as a team member in any capacity. Clint Barton could still play a role in Thunderbolts thanks to his other connection to the franchise.

It is impossible to forget that Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) hired Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) to kill him at the end of Black Widow. While Clint and Yelena resolved their differences in Hawkeye‘s ending to the point where she would not kill him, that does not change the fact that Val made him a target. Clint Barton’s appearance in Thunderbolts could be tied to him trying to ensure that the Marvel villain team will not continue to come after him and endanger his family.

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty & Avengers: Secret Wars

Arguably the safest bet for where Hawkeye will appear next in the MCU is either Avengers: The Kang Dynasty or Avengers: Secret Wars. The two upcoming Avengers movies are expected to have a cast and scale on par with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. While Hawkeye did miss out on being in the first of those two films, he should be considered a lock to appear in the next two in some capacity. There is the possibility that Clint Barton is the only original Avenger who is part of the new team when Kang first attacks in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and plays the role of the elder statesman.

Even if Hawkeye is missing from Avengers 5, his return in Avengers: Secret Wars is all but guaranteed, it seems. The conclusion of the Multiverse Saga could be Marvel’s last chance to get the original six Avengers members together, thanks to variants. Clint Barton could join Thor and Hulk in working with alternate versions of Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow to defeat Kang. If that is the case, then Avengers: Secret Wars could be where Hawkeye’s MCU story ends, either through a final retirement or sacrifice.

Daredevil: Born Again

Hawkeye’s MCU return could also happen in Daredevil: Born Again. Jeremy Renner’s superhero has never met Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, but their stories are already connected thanks to Kingpin. It is possible that Wilson Fisk’s rise in Daredevil: Born Again will bring Clint Baton back out of retirement and to New York once again. This would be a chance for Marvel Studios to get two of its street-level heroes together for a fun crossover as they work together to bring down Kingpin.

Young Avengers

Marvel Studios has not yet announced plans to make a Young Avengers movie or Disney+ show, but it does seem that this is part of their plans. Phase 4 not-so-subtly spent a lot of time introducing critical members of the team from the comics and other young superheroes who could join the MCU’s version. Clint Barton certainly would not be part of any Young Avengers lineup, but he could play the role of mentor here once again. His relationship with Kate Bishop and knack for inspiring new heroes to leap into action means he is an ideal choice to help train the MCU’s next generation of heroes.

Hawkeye Season 2

There are also no official plans for Hawkeye season 2 at this point, but the potential MCU show is another possible place for Clint Barton to return. The second season of the Marvel show would be another chance for the franchise to put Hawkeye at the center of a story and continue exploring his life. There are still a lot of elements from the comics that Hawkeye season 2 could pull from to tell another thrilling adventure. After all, it would be a surprise if Hawkeye season 2 happened without Jeremy Renner’s return as Clint Barton.