Hawkeye's back in Avengers: Infinity War.
Hawkeye fans were pretty surprised that Clint Barton was entirely absent for the first of part of the MCU's epic culmination; so much so co-screenwriter Christopher Markus explained. "We like Hawkeye so much we gave him a really good story." All they asked was that fans be patient, and wait until Avengers: Endgame to see it play out.
Related: Avengers: Endgame Trailer Breakdown - 30 Story Reveals & Secrets You Missed
So it definitely sounds as though Hawkeye plays a crucial role in Avengers: Endgame - but what will that role be? The first trailer confirmed long-standing theories that the Avenger is going down a very dark path indeed.
- This Page: Hawkeye Is Ronin In Avengers: Endgame
- Page 2: Hawkeye's In The Team In Avengers: Endgame
Hawkeye Becomes Ronin In Avengers: Endgame
The name "Ronin" refers to the Japanese term for a samurai without a master, a lone warrior. In the comics, Brian Bendis and Joe Quesada created the identity, originally intending it to serve as an alias for Daredevil. They had to ditch that plan, and instead a number of other superheroes have adopted the Ronin guise over the years - Hawkeye being the most famous. In the Ultimate Universe, a modernized retelling of Marvel's comics, Hawkeye became Ronin after suffering a personal tragedy; he was left brooding and emotionally devastated, even seeming to have something of a death wish. Given the look on Barton's face on the trailer, it seems as though Avengers: Endgame will draw upon the Ultimate Universe version of the story.
What Is Hawkeye's Ronin Mission In Japan?
Of course, the real mystery is just why Ronin is in Japan during the events of Avegners: Endgame in the first place. On the face of it, he appears to have decided to take out Yakuza gangs with lethal precision, but just what chain of events has led the American hero to Asia? Whatever the truth may be, Black Widow has evidently learned where Clint is, and has gone to recruit him back to the Avengers. There's a certain symmetry to this; Hawkeye was the one who brought Black Widow out of a dark place and into S.H.I.E.L.D., and now Black Widow is the one attempting to reach Hawkeye at what clearly seems to be his lowest ebb.
Related: Avengers 4: What Happened To Hawkeye In Infinity War
What's Happened To Hawkeye's Family To Make Him Ronin?
As noted, the MCU version of Ronin appears to be strongly influenced by the Ultimate comic book line. If that's the case, then it suggests tragedy has struck Clint Barton's family; in the Ultimate Universe, he became Ronin after his family were murdered. It seems reasonable to assume that, in the MCU, end of Avengers: Infinity War. If that's the case, Clint may not be particularly happy with the Avengers for failing to stop the Mad Titan.
As most fans are aware, Avengers: Infinity War killed off characters who are known to be returning for sequels, so it's safe to assume Earth's Mightiest Heroes will work to undo or avert the snap - and ultimately succeed. This means Clint's motive will be very personal indeed; he'll be fighting to bring back his wife and kids.
Page 2 of 2: Hawkeye's In The Team In Avengers: Endgame
Hawkeye May Not Time Travel In Avengers: Endgame
There's strong evidence that Avengers: Endgame will be a time travel movie, with the Avengers attempting to rewrite history so the snap never happened. Set photos have shown a number of actors donning their classic costumes harking back to 2012's The Avengers and a recreation of the Battle of New York with the unexpected addition of Ant-Man. Interestingly, though, Jeremy Renner doesn't seem to have been a part of any of the time-travel scenes.
ing this, merchandise has shown the Avengers wearing mysterious team outfits that are believed to be Ant-Man & the Wasp). Given the Quantum Realm is in part inspired by real-world theories of quantum mechanics that set up the potential for time travel, it seems highly likely that the Avengers will access the past by going through the Quantum Realm. Again, though, no tie-in merchandise has shown Ronin in one of these environmental suits.
Related: All The Time Travel Hints In The Avengers: Endgame Trailer
All this may well mean that Hawkeye doesn't do any time-traveling at all in Avengers: Endgame. It's entirely possible that his plot will be focused on events in the present day.
Hawkeye Will Team Up With The Avengers In Endgame
The Ronin identity may sound to be quite a lonely one for Clint Barton, but he'll definitely agree to team up with the rest of Earth's surviving heroes in the end. Official promotional artwork has shown the Avengers assembling against an unknown threat (probably Thanos), being transported to what appears to be an alien location. All the OG Avengers are present, including Clint, and they're ed by Captain Marvel, Nebula, Ant-Man, War Machine, and Rocket. So it seems clear Black Widow will persuade Ronin to re the Avengers - presumably in order to put the universe to rights and save his wife and children. If this portrayal really is inspired by the Ultimate Universe Ronin arc, though, Hawkeye may no longer be a great team player.
Will New Hawkeye Kate Bishop Be In Avengers: Endgame?
There have been persistent rumors that the MCU is considering introducing a new archer into the mix: Emma Fuhrmann has been cast as an older Cassie Lang, and in the comics the teenage Cassie became one of Kate's teammates. It isn't inconceivable that Kate Bishop could turn up in Avengers: Endgame alongside her. If she does, the relationship between Clint and Kate will be a key one.
