Jeremy Renner Claims Disney Offered Him Half His Original Salary for ‘Hawkeye’ Season Two, Citing "Insult Offer"
Jeremy Renner, the actor renowned for portraying the sharpshooting superhero Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has publicly voiced his displeasure with an alleged contract offer from Disney for a potential second season of the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye." In a candid interview on the "High Performance" podcast, Renner claimed that the entertainment giant offered him significantly less money than he earned during the show’s inaugural season. The actor characterized the offer as an "insult," expressing disbelief that he would be expected to dedicate more time and effort for a reduced salary.
"They asked me to do a season two, and they offered me half the money," Renner stated plainly. He elaborated on the perceived disparity, highlighting the extensive commitment required for such a project. "And I’m like, wow. It’s going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money. And so eight months of my time, essentially, and I have to do it for half the amount."
The actor further suggested a connection between the lower offer and his near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023. "I’m like, ‘Why?’ ‘Cause you think I’m only half the Jeremy ’cause I got ran over?" he questioned, referencing the traumatic incident that left him with severe injuries and a long road to recovery.
Renner clarified that his grievance was not with Marvel Studios directly, but rather with Disney’s financial decision-makers. "And this is not Marvel, mind you, this is just Disney – not even really Disney, it’s just the penny pinchers, the accountants." Frustrated by the perceived undervaluation, Renner revealed his response: "I told them to go fly a kite, I mean just at the insult offer. So we didn’t see eye to eye on that."
Despite the contentious negotiation, Renner reiterated his affection for the Hawkeye character and expressed a willingness to reprise the role under different circumstances. "I didnt ask for any more money, mind you," Renner clarified. "Its just ‘pay me what I made the first season.’ So its a little disheartening that that didnt happen, but thats fine. I’m happy to let that go because my bodys probably thanking me, time and time again, that Im not doing it right now." His statement suggests a prioritization of his physical well-being following the accident, alongside his dissatisfaction with the proposed compensation.
While Disney has not released an official statement on the matter, The Hollywood Reporter quoted sources within the company disputing Renner’s version of events. The details of Disney’s counter-narrative remain unclear.
"Hawkeye," which premiered on Disney+ in November 2021, was a six-episode miniseries that received generally positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The show explored the character of Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, as he grappled with his past and mentored a young archer named Kate Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfeld. Renner’s portrayal of Hawkeye has been a consistent presence in the MCU, with appearances in several "Avengers" films, as well as "Captain America: Civil War."
The next installment in the "Avengers" film series, "Avengers: Doomsday," is slated for release in May 2026. As of now, Jeremy Renner’s involvement in the project has not been confirmed, leaving fans to speculate whether he will return to the role amidst the ongoing contract dispute.
Adding another layer to his public presence, Renner is currently promoting his new book, "My Next Breath," a memoir that details his harrowing experience and recovery following the snowplow accident. The book offers a deeply personal account of the incident, exploring the actor’s physical and emotional journey as he faced death and fought his way back to life.
In excerpts from the book, Renner vividly describes the moments leading up to his near-death experience. "As I lay on the ice, my heart rate slowed, and right there, on that New Year’s Day, unknown to my daughter, my sisters, my friends, my father, my mother, I just got tired," Renner wrote, as reported by Us Weekly. He recounted the physical exhaustion of manually breathing for an extended period, leading to a profound realization.
"After about 30 minutes on the ice, of breathing manually for so long, an effort akin to doing 10 or 20 push-ups per minute for half an hour … that’s when I died," he confessed. "I died, right there on the driveway to my house. I know I died — in fact, I’m sure of it."
Renner shared the chilling details of his vital signs, revealing that his heart rate had plummeted to a dangerously low level. "Renner noted that the EMTs said his heart rate had bottomed out at 18. This was basically dead," he wrote.
Despite the physical trauma, Renner described an unexpected sense of peace and connection during his near-death experience. "When I died, what I felt was energy, a constantly connected, beautiful and fantastic energy," he added. "There was no time, place, or space, and nothing to see, except a kind of electric, two-way vision made from strands of that inconceivable energy. I could see my lifetime. I could see everything all at once," he added. "In death there was no time, no time at all, yet it was also all time and forever."
Renner’s memoir promises to be a compelling narrative of survival, resilience, and profound introspection, offering readers a glimpse into the actor’s personal journey and his perspective on life and death. Coupled with his recent comments regarding the Disney contract offer, Renner’s public image is currently defined by both professional negotiation and personal reflection, adding a complex layer to his persona as a Hollywood star.
