Hawkeye(Jeremy Renner), aka Clint Barton, has always beenone of theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s most underrated heroes.After being done dirty inThe Avengersby being brainwashed for over half of the film, fans were hoping for a lot more from the character moving forward. So, while he wouldn’t pull off feats like Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans) could, he still managed to make a name for himself in the franchise and become one of the most lovable characters within it.
Especially inAvengers: Age of Ultron, Hawkeye is the human-side of the Avengers.He kept them grounded to Earth,reminding them that they truly are gods among men and the power they hold is not to be taken for granted. However, this also makes his ability to stand with them, with equally impressive feats, all the more awe-inspiring. He’s had some incredible moments in theMarvel Cinematic Universeand, after the 2021 solo series he got, people are hoping to continue seeing more of him with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld).
10The Shot Clint Never Took
‘Hawkeye’ (2021)
The history between Hawkeye and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) has been spoken about and hinted at ever since they were brought back together in 2012’sThe Avengers, but fans were never brought into the details of that day, until his solo series,Hawkeye. When asked about the best shot he’s ever taken,Clint decides to rather respond and say it was the shot he actually never took.
This scene finds itself being rewatchable because it displays the more serious dynamic between Kate and Clint, but also is a great example of the kind of toll that losing Natasha took on him. Rewatchable moments don’t just have to be exciting, they can be vulnerable, andthis is about as vulnerable as Hawkeye gets in the MCU, aside from his time losing his family inAvengers: Endgame.
Series based on the Marvel Comics superhero Hawkeye, centering on the adventures of Young Avenger, Kate Bishop, who took on the role after the original Avenger, Clint Barton.
9Clint Loses His Family
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
As if fans had forgotten the heartbreak that was the ending ofAvengers: Infinity Warin the year since it had been released,Marvel Studiosdecided to remind everyone at the top ofAvengers: Endgameby showcasing the beloved Hawkeye losing his family to the Snap. This is another moment that is absolutely devastating to watch, but it’s like a car crash– fans can’t look away.
It’s such a defining moment for his character that it can’t be helped that some rewatch it from time to time (mostly his more devoted fans). It went on to totally define him moving forward in the MCU, andit is especially rewatchable if one is planning to return toHawkeyeat Christmas.There’s no denying how much of a profound impactthis dark story momenthad on the Avengers' best shooter.
Avengers: Endgame
8Hawkeye vs. Black Widow
‘The Avengers’ (2012)
As good of a film as it is, the biggest letdown ofThe Avengersis the way that this fan favorite Avenger was handled. While he may not have had a huge fanbase at the time, he held a devoted one and, boy, were they disappointed at his lack of “Avenger-ing”.Being mind controlled for most of the film left a sour taste in people’s mouths, so when he finally comes to his senses, people were happy. It only took a beat-down from Black Widow to do so.
The fight between the two assassins is thrilling andone of the more hand-to-hand combat focused scenes in the film.It also had emotional baggage behind it, given the relationship the other agent mentioned to her team about.The fight between the iconic duois not only fast-paced and hard-hitting, but it also carries weight, with Natasha now getting the chance to save him, as he did for her.
The Avengers
A formidable enemy endangers global security, prompting Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., to assemble an extraordinary team of heroes. As tensions rise, this diverse group must unite to prevent a looming catastrophe, leveraging their unique abilities to uphold peace and protect the world from impending disaster.
7Introduction to Ronin
After the tear-jerking opening to the film, audiences knew that the archer would not be in a great place when his team came across him again, but no one was ready for the kind of man he’d be when they met him as Ronin. When viewers (and Black Widow) find Clint again,they witness him completely rip through an entire sector of the Yakuza,taking down an entire base with his newly-equipped swordin quite a thrilling manner.
Seeing him without his iconic bow and arrow and rather taking up a melee fighting style is already unique for him, butno one has seen Clint do this much damage to a large group of people before. People fell so in love with this side of the character, that some were hoping for a flashback series to his time in the five-year time jump as Ronin, taking down criminals all over the globe.
6Hawkeye Shoots Loki Out of the Sky
Much like his fan base, Clint himself wasn’t too happy about being mind controlled for as long as he was. So, when he had the shot to get some well-deserved revenge on the God of Mischief, he took it immediately. The moment subverts expectations, making people think that Loki (Tom Hiddleston) caught the arrow, stopping any kind of attack, but they were quite misled.
The moment subverts expectations, making people think that Loki caught the arrow, stopping any kind of attack, but they were quite misled.
When the god catches the incoming projectile, he smirks, thinking he’s bested him… until it explodes in his face and knocks him out of the sky. Not only was this a good, cheer-worthy moment, but itfurther proved that Hawkeye is as good of a shot as it’s said that he is.With how fast Loki is moving through the sky, the fact that the arrow made it to him so accurately is bewildering.
5Hawkeye Launches Ant-Man From His Arrow
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)
One of the most iconic comic book covers for both Hawkeye andAnt-Man(Paul Rudd) comes fromAvengers #223 (1982), whichfeatures the tiny hero sitting atop one of the archer’s arrows,to ride it as its shot. So, when it was promised that both heroes would be appearing on the same team together inCaptain America: Civil War, fans knew that they had to be getting an homage to this cover.
Turns out, they were right, as the cover was recreated during the legendarybattle at the airport in Germanyduring the midpoint of the movie. They use the move in a great way, as well, not letting it just be nostalgia-bait. Hawkeye shoots his arrow towards Iron Man, which allows Ant-Man to jump off and get inside the Armored Avenger’s suit to mess it up from the inside.
Captain America: Civil War
Political involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.
4Hawkeye vs. The Chitauri
Duringthe Battle of New York inThe Avengers, Hawkeye gets some incredible moments taking on the invading Chitauri army. When he runs out of arrows,he gets to both show off his melee skills as aS.H.I.E.L.D.agent,but also gets one of the coolest moments in the entire movie. So much so that the shot was heavily used in the film’s marketing.
Knowing exactly what’s coming, Hawkeye rips an arrow out of a corpse, attaches a grappling tip to it,jumps off the building as the rooftop explodes.
After taking out some aliens with his bow, hand-to-hand style, he notices a large group of enemies flying towards him. Knowing exactly what’s coming, Hawkeye rips an arrow out of a corpse, attaches a grappling tip to it,jumps off the building as the rooftop explodes. Clint then proceeds to shoot his grapple arrow onto it to ride it into a lower window for cover.
3"If you step out that door… you are an Avenger."
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015)
As stated, Hawkeye has always been the “normal guy” of the Avengers. So, whenWanda Maximoff(Elizabeth Olsen) is seeking cover during the final battle ofAvengers: Age of Ultron, freaking out, he decides to give her a bit of a pep talk. He promises her that she can hide here, and he’ll tell Pietro (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) to pick her up, but also informs her that if she’s going to fight, she must fight to kill and that,“If you step out that door… you are an Avenger.”
Not only is this speech inspiring, but also funny, as the first part brings out the more human side of the archer as he acknowledges the ridiculousness of the scenario. “The city is flying, we’re fighting an army of robots and I have a bow and arrow. None of this makes sense.” This line is one of the best quotes in the MCU and is hailed as such to this day. It’s alsoone of Wanda’s most rewatchable scenes, as well.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plan.
2Hawkeye vs. Yelena Belova
From the moment Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) stepped foot intoHawkeye, fans were excited but also knew that it spelled trouble, thanks to the teaser at the end ofBlack Widow. With her seeing Clint as the one who killed her sister, she’s out for blood. She may have some cute and fun moments with Kate Bishop that are extremely memorable, but, at the end of the day, she wants to murder Hawkeye.
So, when it finally comes time for them to face off in the finale, the Accurate Avenger had a lot of explaining to do when Yelena asks him to explain exactly what happened before he dies.As they duke it out, he desperately tries to explain to herthe noble sacrifice that Natasha madeinAvengers: Endgame, but she can’t bring herself to believe it until Clint busts out the secret whistle that the two had, proving how close he and Natasha truly were. It’s not only a great, hard-hitting fight, but also an extremely compelling emotional battle.
1Clint Barton & Kate Bishop Team-Up
The final episode ofHawkeyebrought a lot of full-circle moments, butone of the best was easily seeing the two Hawkeyes fight together, side-by-side– something fans had been waiting a long time for. Not only that, but Clint finally gets to don a costume reminiscent of his comic book outfit, which is another thing people had been requesting ever since his appearance inThor.
The chemistry between actors Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld is also at its peak here, enhancing the scene even more than it would have been before.
The way the two team-upand fight together, in sync, is wonderful andbeautifully choreographed by the stunt team behind the series.The chemistry between actors Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld is also at its peak here, enhancing the scene even more than it would have been before. Seeing the two purple-clad archers come together was an incredibly exciting moment.
NEXT:10 Villains Who Are More Evil in the Comics Than in the MCU
