Marvel Rumors: Black Panther In ‘The Avengers 2,’ Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye To Be Recast
Two pretty big rumors regardingThe Avengers 2are whipping around the Web today, so we figured they were worth a look. The first one seems most plausible. It concerns the possible inclusion of theBlack Pantherin the sequel and the hint comes from the chairman of South Africa’s Cape Town Film Studios. He said Marvel has been in contact about filming theJoss Whedonsequel there.
The second rumor is thatHawkeyecould be recast.Jeremy Rennerplayed the character inThoras well asThe Avengers,but citing a lack of activity in Phase Two andhis negative commentsabout his role inThe Avengers, one source believes the character could become the next War Machine or Hulk.
Bleeding Coolreported the Black Panther rumor:
Let’s connect the dots. Marvel has so far shot all their films either in the US or the UK. Why would there be a need to film in South Africa? Well, the Black Panther character is from Africa (from a fictional country, but close enough) and South Africa plays a big part in lots of his stories. Could The Avengers go on some kind of recruiting mission?
Also of note,there have been rumorsof Black Panther being introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years so it’s a safe bet the character has been discussed. Remember though, this is all speculation. The only fact is the head of the studio said Marvel had inquired. They might not even film there. But it’s curious.
Another Marvel curiosity is the whereabouts of Hawkeye in Phase 2. We know exactly where every single other Avenger is during this time…except the expert S.H.I.E.L.D. archer played by Jeremy Renner. There’s no confirmation that he won’t appear inThor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter SoldierorGuardians of the Galaxy, but there’s no suggestion that he will either. His employers at S.H.I.E.L.D. seem to be at the center of theCapsequel, and his good friend Black Widow plays a role, so where the heck is Hawkeye? There’s no mention of Renner anywhere.
Enter the rumor, which surfaces fromComic Book Movie. They cite an anonymous source (is there any other kind lately?) who says Marvel was unhappy with the actor’s comments afterThe Avengers(complaining it was not the character arc he signed up for;read them here) and that they’re looking to recast the character, as they did with War Machine and Hulk. One possibility would be to hold him out of the movies and assign the new actor toMarvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., giving the show a weekly Avengers presence without the Avengers paycheck.
It’s important to remember that where the Black Panther rumor at least had some factual basis, this one does not. We don’t know how good CBM’s source is. All we know is when you line the evidence up, it seems incredibly plausible.
Which of these two rumors do you believe more? Do you think just bringing Hawkeye back forThe Avengers 2is sufficient?
