9) Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner has never really been given the platform he deserves in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here’s a twice Oscar-nominated actor, often relegated to supporting roles and near-cameos in a franchise that rarely seems to know what to do with his character. Even Renner railed against this following the release of The Avengers, a movie he felt pushed him to the sidelines to focus on other, more popular characters.
In Civil War, Renner again isn’t given a great deal to do, but there’s a feeling that he’s finally grown comfortable as a second-tier “utility guy.” Hawkeye is a minor Avenger deployed as an impact player, and in much the same way Renner is kept around to deliver in tactical moments.
Clint’s admonishment of Tony Stark after he and Ross have half of the Avengers jailed is almost heart-wrenching, with Renner projecting a palpable anger that’s all the more powerful for being so unexpected.