Attention Netflix and Marvel: Jeremy Renner would totally be up for a show based around his superhero character. ComicBook reports that during a Silicon Valley Comic Con panel this week, Renner revealed he would love for Hawkeye to have a Netflix show of his own. Granted, there is absolutely nothing in the works at the moment, and Renner was just expressing his support for the idea, but, come on, wouldn't a Hawkeye series be amazing?
When it comes to the world of The Avengers, Hawkeye is often the odd man out. Fans finally got a glimpse into his life in Age of Ultron, but as the franchise becomes increasingly crowded, there is going to be even less time for Hawkeye to shine — and he is not exactly a frontrunner to get his own film. However, on Netflix, Hawkeye could be as quippy and charismatic as he is in the comics, and Renner could truly delve into what makes the character tick.
"I think that's actually a really great model, if there's ever a way to explore the character, maybe it's in that world," Renner said on the subject of a Netflix series during the panel, according to ComicBook. "These are things that are really not in my control, but I'd be open to it. I've really enjoyed getting to explore the character more recently. The Netflix model is where all the character drama goes to now, you're doing a superhero movie or a Netflix or HBO kind of model. So I'd be open to it. Not up to me, though."
If Renner ever gets his wish, what would a Hawkeye Netflix series look like? And would Hawkeye be the right character to headline a show? To the first question I say: awesome, if it was done right, and to the second, I say a big yes. Here is what a Hawkeye series could bring to the superhero table.
A Hero With A Domestic Life
The revelation in Age of Ultron that Hawkeye has a wife and kids at home was surprising in a good way. It established that he is more stable than his angsty co-workers and he has a built-in support system. He also has more to lose. All of this makes for an interesting counterpoint to the action of being a hero. At the end of the day, Hawkeye is relatable because he is so grounded. That's something no other superhero movie or series has explored in depth.
Adventures Of The Week
So far, Netflix has focused on telling one long story with their superhero shows, but Hawkeye could distinguish himself by having smaller arcs and episodic adventures. In the comics, Hawkeye has always been dispatched to deal with lots of different cases. Overall, the show could be lighter than Daredevil and Jessica Jones, and reserve its Netflix edge for humor.
The Introduction Of Crossfire
In many ways, the villain Crossfire is a dark mirror of Hawkeye. He is a former CIA agent with expert marksmen skills — who also has a serious obsession with Hawkeye. The two characters have went head to head multiple times, and Crossfire even brainwashed Hawkeye at one point (and everyone knows how Hawkeye feels about brainwashing). Add in both characters' prowess when it comes to archery and you have a battle that could be majorly intense.
Mockingbird & Hawkeye
If the Mockingbird and Lance Hunter S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff doesn't pan out, Mockingbird could land on a Hawkeye show. In the comics, these two awesome characters were married. Now, Hawkeye is married to Laura in the cinematic universe, and Mockingbird has an on and off again relationship with Lance, but there is no reason why the two characters couldn't team up on a Netflix show — they are both agents, after all.
Family Drama
There are two Barton brothers, and one of them is troubled. Introducing Hawkeye's brother Barney who eventually becomes a villain could add to the domestic side of the story. Seeing family drama unravel alongside the expected heroics is incredibly appealing to me as a viewer. Barney could cause major conflict between Laura and Hawkeye, leading to Hawkeye having to make hard choices about where his loyalties lie.
Hawkeye Fits In Nicely With The Current Crop Of Netflix Heroes
Hawkeye is connected to pretty much every major hero in some way, including Daredevil and Luke Cage. As a human hero he displays similar vulnerabilities as the Hell's Kitchen crew, but he's a brighter, happier character who is good with the quips. He could exist in the Netflix world, and brighten it up a little. He is a character who could easily bridge the gap between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Marvel TV Universe, and that is a gap that needs to be closed.
Netflix's slate of Marvel series is packed, but if they are going to add another hero to their lineup, Renner's Hawkeye would be the perfect choice to bring the Marvel worlds together.
Image: Marvel; Giphy (7)
