Clint Barton (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Clinton Francis Barton is a fictional character portrayed by Jeremy Renner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise—based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name—more commonly known by his alias, Hawkeye. Barton is depicted as an expert marksman, archer and hand-to-hand combatant, with his preferred weapon being a recurve bow. Barton, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., is sent to kill Natasha Romanoff but decides to recruit and befriend her instead.
"Hawkeye (Marvel Cinematic Universe)" redirects here. For the 2021 TV series, see Hawkeye (miniseries). For Barton's successor, see Kate Bishop (Marvel Cinematic Universe).Clint Barton
Thor (2011)
Clinton Francis Barton
- Hawkeye
- Ronin
- Avenger
- Vigilante
- Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Avengers
- S.H.I.E.L.D.
- S.T.R.I.K.E.[1]
- Bow and quiver; Compound and Recurve bows[2]
- Wristbow
- Retractable katana[3] (as Ronin)
- Shuriken (as Ronin)
- Combat knives
- Collapsible baton
- Various trick arrows
- Various firearms
Edith Barton (mother)
- Cooper Barton
- Lila Barton
- Nathaniel Barton
American
Barton becomes a founding member of the Avengers after being recruited by Steve Rogers, participating in the Battle of New York, the HYDRA uprising, and the conflict against Ultron. Barton sides with Rogers during the Avengers internal conflict over the Sokovia Accords; he is placed on house arrest as a result. After Barton's family is decimated during the Blip, he becomes a vigilante and violently dismantles organized crime across the world as Ronin. He rejoins the Avengers during their mission to undo Thanos' actions using time travel; Barton attains the Soul Stone after Romanoff sacrifices herself to obtain it. Barton and his allies successfully restore the trillions of lives lost to Thanos, and he participates in the final and subsequently victorious battle against an alternate timeline version of him. After reuniting with his restored family, his time as Ronin causes continued conflicts with various elements of organized crime and he takes in a protégé named Kate Bishop.
Barton's first appearance was a brief cameo in Thor (2011), but he became a central figure of the MCU, appearing in six films as of 2023 and has the lead role in the miniseries Hawkeye (2021).[4]
Alternate versions of Barton from within the multiverse also appear in the animated series What If...? (2021), with Renner reprising the role.[5]
Concept and creation[edit]
Barton, with the alter ego of Hawkeye, was first introduced in Marvel comic books as a reluctant villain, in Tales of Suspense #57 (September 1964). After two more appearances as a villain in Tales of Suspense #60 and #64 (December 1964 and April 1965), Hawkeye joined the ranks of the Avengers in Avengers #16 (May 1965). He then became a perennial member of the team.
In the mid-2000s, Kevin Feige realized that Marvel still owned the rights to the core members of the Avengers, which included Barton. Feige, a self-professed "fanboy", envisioned creating a shared universe just as creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby had done with their comic books in the early 1960s.[6] After initially offering the role of Barton to Jensen Ackles, who had auditioned for the part of Captain America, Marvel hired Jeremy Renner to portray the character on screen.[7]
Much of Clint's background and characterization in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was inspired by his Ultimate Marvel incarnation, particularly him being a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and secretly having a wife and three children. His origin story in Earth-616 of him being a circus performer and former criminal trained by Swordsman is not included, though several elements of this version are implemented such as him becoming Ronin and eventually requiring hearing aids.[8] His story and characterization in the Hawkeye television series were primarily influenced by Matt Fraction's 2012 comic run with the character.[9]