Jeremy Renner Could be Hawkeye in "The Avengers" and "Thor"

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

For movie fans, there is nothing more exciting than a good rumor. This one is no different--in fact, this may be the best rumor I’ve heard all year.

The peeps over at The Playlist are reporting that in the recent issue of Empire magazine, Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker”) says he has been in talks to play Hawkeye in both the “Thor” adaptation, as well as “The Avengers.”

According to The Playlist: In the latest issue of Empire magazine, Renner says he and Marvel have been in discussions about playing the archer character Hawkeye that will make appearances in a least two upcoming Marvel pictures, including a cameo in "Thor" and then a role in "The Avengers.”

Said Renner: "Hawkeye could be interesting. They're going to send me some stuff on it, see what it is. But I think they're pretty awesome, trying to make superhero movies almost plausible and not just some fantasy thing."

Here’s a bit of history on Clint Barton, the original Hawkeye and a member of the Avengers. His inspiration to become a superhero was "Iron Man" and he was also close with the "Black Widow." That little bit is enough reason to speculate on an “Iron Man 2” cameo, although that probably is a long shot.

Hawkeye also became an Avenger by breaking into the group’s headquarters and proving his value to the team. That sort of rebellious character trait is right in line with the self-confident lone wolf operator Renner played so fantastically in “The Hurt Locker.”

I think that adding Hawkeye to the new films is a great idea because he is an awesome character, but even better is the fact that Renner may be playing him. Renner proved in this summer’s “The Hurt Locker” that he is an amazing actor, and his performance could easily earn him his first Academy Award nomination.

“Thor” will be released in 2011, with “The Avengers” following in 2012.