The roster for Avengers: Doomsday keeps shrinking. Jeremy Renner, who has played Clint Barton (aka Hawkeye) since 2012's The Avengers, has confirmed he will not be part of the upcoming multiverse showdown. The actor made the announcement during a Q&A session, and he couldn't resist a playful jab at Marvel's expense.
When asked if he'd suit up for Avengers: Doomsday, Renner was blunt: "No, no, no, no. Not in that one... Doomsday, I'm not in, so the Avengers will probably lose, just so you know. They didn't call me, so it's their fault they're going to lose." It's classic Hawkeye humor, but it also marks a significant loss for the franchise.
Renner's departure reduces the original six Avengers to just a handful of active players. With Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom (a twist that has fans buzzing), and Chris Evans reportedly back in some capacity, the original team is now a shadow of its former self. But Renner's exit is just the latest in a string of high-profile absences.
Who Else Is Sitting Out 'Avengers: Doomsday'?
Renner isn't the only original Avenger skipping the party. Scarlett Johansson, who played Black Widow, has already said she won't return, citing that her character's death in Avengers: Endgame makes a comeback narratively impossible. Elizabeth Olsen, who portrayed Wanda Maximoff, also confirmed she's out due to a scheduling conflict with another project.
Even Hugh Jackman, who made a triumphant return as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, has stated he won't be in Doomsday. However, he's kept the door open for the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, leaving fans to speculate about a possible appearance there.
Despite these absences, Avengers: Doomsday is still shaping up to be a massive event. Marvel has already unveiled a huge cast list, and rumors are swirling about additional cameos, including Tom Holland's Spider-Man, following the post-credits scene in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The studio has also been busy promoting the film with a Disney+ "mandatory viewing" list and a theatrical re-release of Avengers: Endgame that included new post-credits scenes tying directly into Doomsday.
For fans of the MCU, the shrinking original roster is bittersweet. But as Renner's joke suggests, the Avengers might just need to find a new strategy—or a new archer. Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026. For more on the MCU's evolving lineup, check out our look at why 'Infinity War' remains the franchise's peak.
