On Christmas eve, Marvel Studios dropped What If...? Season 2 Episode 3 which focused on how Happy Hogan became the savior of Christmas. All the original six Avengers were featured in the episode but it was Tony Stark's body guard, Happy Hogan, who successfully saved Christmas in the most unexpected way. In the mix was Clint Barton and it marked the return of Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye in the MCU a year after the shocking accident which almost took his life had it gone differently.
In 2022, Jeremy Renner was hospitalized because of a freak snowplow accident which had severely injured his leg and sent him to an emergency surgery which, had it gone wrong, such could have taken his life. Renner went through recovery and in the middle of 2023, he revealed in a conventions that he would come back to the MCU "in a heartbeat" if he would be needed to return. This finally happened in Marvel's What If...? Season 2 Episode 3, titled What If Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?, where Renner reprised his role as Clint Barton/ Hawkeye in the MCU.
Despite the voice recording being done before the accident as the fans saw the episode during the San Diego Comic Con in 2022, the project still marks his first return as Hawkeye in the MCU as the episode aired in Christmas eve of 2023.
Can Jeremy Renner still return as Hawkeye in MCU live-action?
So far, the return of Renner as Hawkeye/ Clint Barton is in an animated series which could continue considering that the actor is still in recovery after the shocking accident. In a way, through voice acting, Renner could continue playing the role without having to sacrifice his health and way to recovery. Still, having him in live-action would be different. Given the circumstances, Renner is still on recovery and nothing would be possible without it.
As per whether there would be Hawkeye Season 2, there is still no confirmation yet from Marvel Studios nor anyone affiliated to the project. To date, the series remains to be a limited one which means that there isn't any sequel planned in the near future, unless, otherwise, stated by Marvel Studios.
Marvel's What If...? Season 2 episodes are available to stream on Disney Plus.
