In response to the recent controversy surrounding MCU star Jeremy Renner, some fans are now pushing for Marvel Studios to find a new lead to play Clint Barton in the upcoming Hawkeye TV show.
In the past couple of weeks, Renner has been the subject of numerous accusations from his ex-wife Sonni Pacheco. Amidst a custody battle over their daughter Ava, the Canadian model alleged that Renner threatened to kill both himself and her, and on one occasion, put a gun in his mouth before ultimately firing into the ceiling of their home. Other allegations that have emerged in recent weeks include that Renner was frequently intoxicated during their marriage, and once left a bag of cocaine on a bathroom counter that Ava could reach.
In the wake of these accusations, reports have started emerging that Disney is considering their options, and may end up recasting Hawkeye for his 2021 solo series. And while we’ve yet to receive any official confirmation on Marvel’s plans for Clint Barton, many fans have taken to social media to call for Renner to be dropped from the franchise:
Y'all swapped Terrence Howard for Don Cheadle on some "They all look alike" business, so I see no issue with chucking Renner the deuce, hiring Charlie Hunnam, and saying not a damn thing about it. https://t.co/m8WU06V02T
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) October 23, 2019
Now would be the perfect time to make Hawkeye #Deaf in the MCU like he is in comics. Get a Deaf actor like @NyleDiMarco to play Hawkeye and let him work with Hawkeye Kate Bishop. It would be AMAZING! https://t.co/6CX7HSyFiT
— Queer, Deaf, & Ready to Read Kickass Comics! (@QueerDeafie) October 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/thorspowerr/status/1187256011876229126
https://twitter.com/SpiderFtTom/status/1186126206330167297
https://twitter.com/wienerpain/status/1187128971319808000
https://twitter.com/MissLGBTQMarvel/status/1186393370350051329
https://twitter.com/stevensbucks/status/1186363319785066498
Pacheco’s claims were recently backed up by Renner’s former live-in nanny Naomi Moore, who recalled hearing Renner tell Pacheco that it would be better if she were dead. Since the initial allegations first emerged, Renner’s representatives have issued a statement referring to Pacheco’s report as “a one-sided account made with a specific goal in mind.”
So far, Renner has not been charged for any crime, though you have to imagine that Disney has noted the controversy and is currently waiting to see which way the wind will blow before they confirm any plans for Hawkeye.