Jeremy Renner Explains Why He Declined to Return for Hawkeye Season 2 Due to Salary Dispute

Jeremy Renner has publicly shared the reasons behind his decision not to return for the second season of the Disney+ series Hawkeye. According to Renner, Disney offered him only half of his original salary from season one, a proposal he found unacceptable especially considering the increased effort required following his severe 2023 snowplow accident. The accident nearly cost him his life and involved a lengthy rehabilitation process. Renner expressed frustration over the offer during an interview on the High Performance sports podcast, stating that he was being asked to commit roughly eight months of work for half the pay, which he felt was disrespectful given his circumstances. He clarified that he did not ask for more money, only to be paid the same as before. A Disney insider disputed Renner’s claims but did not provide details. Renner emphasized that his issue was with the Disney accountants rather than Marvel itself. Despite his disappointment, Renner maintains affection for the character and the show but had to prioritize his health and self-respect. The first season of Hawkeye was highly successful, receiving strong critical and audience acclaim and achieving top streaming ratings. It remains uncertain if Renner will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the future, as he was not included in the cast announcements for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film.