The Wrap is reporting that Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) will crop up as Hawkeye in Marvel’s Thor prior to his character’s confirmed appearance in the studios upcoming Avengers project – despite previous ambiguity on the subject.
The news follows conflicting reports from Renner himself about his purported involvement in Kenneth Branagh‘s Thor. Suggesting to Empire that Hawkeye might appear, “If I was a betting man”, the Oscar nominated actor was quick to dilute his claims.
“But do I know for sure? I can’t say. But I’d love for that to happen. It’d be fun.”
Backtracking in later interviews, Renner was quick to inform Movieline that there was absolutely no truth in the rumours which started as a result of his earlier comments.
“That was just one of those things that got blown way out of proportion. The only reason it came out this early, because ‘Avengers’ is two years away, is that they’re thinking OK, we may throw him in ‘Thor,’ we may not, as a cameo. You know what I mean? So there’s truth that we talked about it, but there’s no truth to me doing it.”
It now appears, however, that Hawkeye will appear in Thor, though in what capacity it is still unknown. A source alleging to have seen an early copy of the movie has claimed that Renner is present, as well as confirming Samuel L. Jackson‘s assurances that Nick Fury will not appear in Thor.
Should this prove true, Jackson’s absence – and trends established by Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk – would seem to suggest Renner might appear towards the end of the film to further tease audiences, and Thor himself, with the existence of The Avengers. Either way, the film is scheduled for release on May 6, 2011. Enchanted hammers at the ready.
