This last weekend proved exceptionally generous for Avengers: Endgame leaks, not least when it came to the character of Clint Barton. As well as seeing the design for Clint’s full Ronin costume by way of a leaked toy, we were also able to get a good look at the hero’s new mask thanks to some recent promo art. What’s more, Clint’s latest outfit has already led to some speculation on the potential developments befalling the character commonly known as Hawkeye.
To elaborate, the argument is made that Clint’s mask seems heavily inspired by his appearance in the Ultimate Comics imprint. Indeed, the MCU films have already taken influence from Hawkeye’s run in the Ultimate universe by giving him an off-the-grid family. Sadly, this family was eventually tracked down and killed by Clint’s enemies, pushing the hero into some dark new territory with the mask to match.
Since it’s already a hugely popular Endgame prediction that the character’s family was killed in the snap, prompting Clint to adopt his moody new Ronin persona, some are taking this similarity in mask designs as a hint that the movie will also be taking plot elements from Hawkeye’s Ultimates arc.
Though it’s quite possible that Marvel has such a tragedy in mind for Clint’s family, this particular theory still sounds like a bit of a stretch. After all, would the studio really be choosing their character designs based on how best to telegraph plot details in advance, as opposed to simply going with the outfit that they think looks best for him?
We’ll have to wait and see how things play out, but whatever the reasons are behind Ronin’s new costume, you’ll be able to see the hero in action when Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on April 26th, 2019.
