The news is everywhere by now, including JoBlo, where I was tipped about it: Jeremy Renner is in the Avengers movie as the archer, Hawkeye.  Rumors of Renner’s involvement have been floating for months, but now it’s confirmed, so he can finally start taking those archery lessons he’ll undoubtedly need.  I think this is a great choice.  Renner can bring the irreverence that Hawkeye will need.  I collected plenty of Avengers comics in my youth, including the often subpar West Coast Avengers, and Hawkeye was always one of my favorites…barring his stint as Goliath of course. 

For those of you who don’t know, Hawkeye is Clint Barton, the resident Green Arrow of the team, minus the few billion in his bank accouint.  In fact, Hawkeye once had a side job as head of security for a corrupt corporation while a reserve Avenger, if memory serves.  An orphan, he ran away and joined the circus, and was trained by The Swordsman, a later Avengers adversary.  After years as a team member, Hawkeye later moved West with fellow Avenger and wife, Mockingbird, and became founder and leader of the West Coast Avengers.  He was also one of the heroes in the original Secret Wars.  He’s known for his occasional wisecracking and expert marksmanship. 

Renner has a couple of other projects upcoming including Ben Affleck’s The Town and James McTeigue’s The Raven, as well as Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled film once that comes together.  He joins Robert Downey, Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans in Joss Whedon’s upcoming film.

Thanks to Michael for the tip.