Jeremy Renner slams Disney offer asking if they think he is ‘half the Jeremy’ now

Jeremy Renner faced the fight of his life after his near-fatal snowplow accident.

But he claims a subsequent offer from Disney felt like an insult related to his recovery.

The Avenger’s Return

Jeremy Renner is known worldwide for his portrayal of Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From multiple ‘Avengers’ blockbusters to ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Renner’s sharpshooting hero became a fan favorite.

His journey continued with the Disney+ series ‘Hawkeye’, which explored the character’s life after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and introduced Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop.

The series debuted in late 2021 to generally positive reviews, leaving many fans eager for more adventures.

However, Renner’s life took a dramatic turn on January 1, 2023.

A Near-Fatal Accident

Renner suffered devastating injuries when he was accidentally run over by his own PistenBully snowplow near his Nevada home while trying to help a family member.

The incident resulted in blunt chest trauma and over 30 broken bones, requiring extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.

His recovery journey has been widely documented, with Renner sharing updates on his remarkable progress and resilience.

He’s since returned to public life, promoting projects and even releasing a memoir about the experience titled “My Next Breath.”

Talks of a Second Season

Given the success of ‘Hawkeye’ Season 1, discussions about a potential follow-up seemed natural.

Renner recently appeared on the “High Performance” podcast, where he discussed his career, his recovery, and his interactions with Disney regarding the future of the show.

The actor expressed his continued affection for the character and the world of Marvel.

But he revealed that negotiations hit a significant snag.

‘Had to Defend Myself’

Renner made it clear that reprising the role wasn’t something he took lightly, especially considering the physical demands potentially involved post-recovery.

He maintained that he loves playing Hawkeye and would enjoy returning to the role under the right circumstances.

However, he stated that the offer presented to him by Disney forced him into a position where he felt disrespected.

“I had to defend myself,”

Renner insisted during the podcast interview.

The ‘Insult Offer’ Revealed

So, what exactly was the offer that caused such a strong reaction?

Renner alleged that Disney approached him about a second season but proposed a drastic pay cut.

“They asked me to do a season two, and they offered me half the money,”

Renner claimed.

He elaborated on his reasoning for turning it down, linking the reduced offer directly to his recent accident.

“And I’m like, wow. It’s going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money. And so eight months of my time, essentially, and I have to do it for half the amount.”

“I’m like, ‘Why? ’Cause you think I’m only half the Jeremy ‘cause I got ran over?’”

Renner directed his criticism not at Marvel Studios itself, but at the financial decision-makers behind the scenes.

“And this is not Marvel, mind you, this is just Disney – not even really Disney, it’s just the penny pinchers, the accountants. I told them to go fly a kite, I mean just at the insult offer. So we didn’t see eye to eye on that.”

Standing Firm

Renner emphasized that his objection wasn’t about demanding more money, but about receiving fair compensation compared to his previous work on the show.

“I didn’t ask for any more money, mind you,”

Renner clarified.

“It’s just ‘pay me what I made the first season.’ So it’s a little disheartening that that didn’t happen, but that’s fine.”

He acknowledged a silver lining, suggesting the break might be beneficial for his ongoing recovery.

“I’m happy to let that go because my body’s probably thanking me, time and time again, that I’m not doing it right now.”

According to Fox News, Disney did not immediately respond to their request for comment, but the company reportedly disputed Renner’s claims to The Hollywood Reporter.

What’s Next for Hawkeye?

While a second season of ‘Hawkeye’ seems unlikely under these circumstances, the future of Clint Barton in the wider MCU remains uncertain.

The next major team-up, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, is slated for 2026, but Renner’s involvement has not been confirmed.

For now, Renner continues to focus on his recovery and promoting his memoir, sharing his harrowing and inspiring story.