As a two-minute preview of what’s to come, the Avengers: Infinity War trailer was a spectacular vertical slice of 2018’s most-anticipated movie.
Between Alan Silvestri’s rousing score and that awesome slow-motion shot of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – a common filmmaking device that’s now appeared across all three of Marvel’s team-up movies – Joe and Anthony Russo’s sneak peek undoubtedly delivered the goods.
But if there’s one MCU stalwart who was unfairly relegated to the sidelines, it was Clint Barton. Yes, Hawkeye was conspicuously absent from Infinity War‘s first-look teaser, but make no mistake about it, he’ll play a big role in both that film and its currently untitled sequel, Avengers 4. And that’s because if rumors are to be believed, Renner’s hero will actually be taking on a new identity.
Initially dreamed up by comic book duo Brian Michael Bendis and Joe Quesada, fans are speculating that Hawkeye will become Ronin, which is essentially another alias for Barton, who comes into play soon after the events of Marvel’s Civil War. Granted, that hasn’t been confirmed just yet, but Renner’s shared another set video today which once again adds more fuel to the fire.
Though not terribly revealing, you’ll notice that the actor is sporting that cropped haircut (mohawk? Mohawkeye?!) here, which only lends more credence to the alleged transformation into Ronin. We’re still unsure whether he’ll don his new threads in Avengers: Infinity War, or if the transition will come in the as yet untitled sequel, but either way, fans of Civil War and Secret Invasion era comic books are no doubt in for a treat.
Thanos and his malevolent Black Order will lay siege to Earth on May 4th, 2018 in Infinity War, before Avengers 4 tends to unfinished business in 2019. It was originally on course to wrap filming before the year’s end, and though the likes of Paul Bettany (Vision), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch) and now Renner have finished in time for Christmas, the Marvel sequel is expected to continue production well into January.