#INTERVIEW: “HAWKEYE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Taking place post Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE gives us a chance the explore the world of its beloved titular Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero. With Jeremy Renner reprising the role of Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Hailee Steinfeld joins him as protégée Kate Bishop and they work together to confront some of his enemies of the past. And if you’re wondering why this is being released in time for the Holidays, the goal is for Hawkeye to make this happen in time to get home to his family for Christmas.

Our Justin Waldman was fortunate enough to sit-in on a Press Conference for the upcoming Series and in-attendance were:

Jeremy Renner 

Hailee Steinfeld 

Vera Farmiga 

Tony Dalton 

Trinh Tran

Rhys Thomas 

Kevin Feige

Producer Kevin Feige comments on why the decision to explore more of Hawkeye in this Mini-Series.

Feige: “Well, primarily it’s Jeremy Renner. We want to see more Jeremy Renner... and more Jeremy Renner. And that goes back to the earliest days (yes, we’re both grandfathers now in the MCU), and the trust Jeremy had to jump into the MCU before Moderators said ‘Welcome to the MCU‘. It was ‘Hey! Do you want to do this thing with us and it could be really neat?’. And he said ‘yes’ and he got nominated for an Academy Award and he still said ‘yes’, and I thought that was pretty cool. But, all of the above they were relatively small obviously. Ultron we saw a little bit more. And then he just started stealing all the scenes. But it was always the intention to explore much more of the character’s history.”.

Tony Dalton plays Jack Duqesne and speaks on his relationship to the Bishop family in HAWKEYE.

Dalton: “Well he’s sort of a family friend and then he comes and falls in love Eleanor Bishop and they have a bit of a relationship. You don’t know where he’s coming from. What the hell else am I supposed to say? (laughs) You don’t wanna give away too much.”.

Vera Farmiga plays Eleanor Bishop and talks about what drew her most to the role of this mother and mentor to Kate.

Farmiga: “There’s a couple of things. I love Archery, hands down. I am an Archer. You guys don’t know this about me. My first job I played an Archer with Heath Ledger in a series called Roar where I had my bow and arrow and I’m good at it to be honest with you. If I wasn’t gonna be wielding that bow and arrow, I wanted to be next to someone with true grit and to be honest with you, I have marvelled at this young lady (Hailee Steinfeld) since that first movie. I also loved this very delicate and complex maternal relationship. It is a tricky sport raising a successful daughter, especially when the daughter and the mother have different ideas what that success means.”.

Director Rhys Thomas talks about Die Hard comparisons to Hawkeye.

Thomas: “The Holidays I think predated me. I’ll take the Die Hard feel, why not? The story of a character like Clint just trying to live his life and trouble trying to find him is a trope we all love and enjoy. That clash of family time with business time, it’s a classic combo. For me it was just wonderful to wrap my arms around that.”.

Kevin Feige comments on maybe getting to see more Avengers: The Musical throughout the Show.

Feige: “Rogers: The Musical” was an idea early on about why he comes to New York, but I loved the idea and it gave a reason for a generic Christmas in New York. Clint taking the kids, it was a Daddy weekend before Christmas. And I had met the amazing Composer Mark Shaiman at an event – and I’m not a social guy – his husband is a giant Marvel fan. It gave us context for why he is in New York, context for Clint seeing himself in a way that the world sees Hawkeye. And gave us an amazing opportunity to have a song by Mark Shaiman.”.

Hailee Steinfeld talks about building a bond with Renner and whether or not he gave her any Archery tips.

Steinfeld: “I was never gonna shoot an actual arrow. That’s the first thing he told me. And for whatever reason, it didn’t occur to me that would be the case. So that’s that. As far as bonding, we really jumped right into this thing straight into the deep end together. So we were taking it as it was coming. I felt so grateful to have his support and mentorship in real life and as Kate. We shared a lot of laughs, didn’t we?”.

Renner: “For me, I just wanted to communicate that I had her back and that there was gonna be a lot of straight things that go on. It’s different than other types of Filmmaking. I only gave her the answers if she needed them.”.

Jeremy Renner talks about the theme of Survivor’s Guilt and how that might impact Hawkeye.

Renner: “I don’t operate on Survivor Guilt. I deal with the loss. There’s a lot of things that are loss. It’s addressed in this Show, which is beautifully intimate and brings our characters closer together, as well as the audience. There’s a lot of weight that’s carried. There’s seemingly a veneer of grumpiness in his resting face, but it comes from the horrors and tragedies and loss that come with the game. Managing losses is the superhero game. The brightness and lightness that Hailee‘s character brings-in counteracts that.”.

The first two episodes of Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE arrive on Disney+ November 24, 2021, with the Mini-Series concluding December 22, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Studios Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TV SPOT FOR MARVEL’S “HAWKEYE”

Marvel fans, here’s your first glimpse of upcoming Disney+ Series HAWKEYE starring Jeremy Renner!

Synopsis:

Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” is an original new series set in post-blip New York City where former Avenger Clint Barton aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. But when a threat from his past shows up, Hawkeye reluctantly teams up with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), a 22-year-old skilled archer and his biggest fan, to unravel a criminal conspiracy. The series also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on Nov. 24, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel/Disney+)

#FIRSTLOOK: 2019 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Some exciting stuff coming out of Comic-Con this weekend in San Diego! A Series of announcements have been made as to the next set of Films to come out in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of them features our v. own Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) in the titual role of Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings!

 

THE ETERNALS

Feige kicked off with an overview of the feature film “The Eternals,” an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige introduced the director, Chloé Zhao, followed by stars from the film, including, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo,  Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh and Angelina Jolie as Thena.

“The Eternals” will make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in theatres on November 6, 2020.

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER

Feige brought news on the Disney+ original series “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” which pairs up two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most popular heroes—Sam Wilson aka The Falcon and Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier—in a series of action-filled adventures as they fight together against evil after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”

Anthony Mackie (The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier) came on stage to greet the fans, and it was revealed that Daniel Brühl will return as the villain, Baron Zemo.

“The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” is set to debut on Disney+ in the fall of 2020.

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS

Feige spoke about the feature film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and detailed how the legend has been hinted at in the MCU films since the first “Iron Man.”

In an unanticipated surprise for all, Kevin Feige then announced the confirmed casting of Simu Liu in the title role of Shang-Chi and both the actor and the director, Destin Daniel Cretton, came on stage to greet the audience. Kevin also shared with the audience the casting of Awkwafina in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Then, Kevin revealed to the Hall H audience that the real Mandarin will be played by celebrated Chinese actor Tony Leung.

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” will be in theatres on February 12, 2021.

WANDAVISION

Next, Feige offered the latest on “WandaVision,” a Disney+ original series where Paul Bettany reprises the role of Vision and Elizabeth Olsen returns to her role of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch.

Bettany and Olsen were joined on stage by MCU newcomer Teyonah Parris, and Feige announced that Parris will be playing the grown-up version of Monica Rambeau, who was introduced to audiences in “Captain Marvel.”

“WandaVision” premieres on Disney+ in the spring of 2021.

LOKI

Feige offered news on “Loki,” a Marvel Studios original series streaming on Disney+ in the spring of 2021. Tom Hiddleston—back in his role of the mercurial Loki, the god of mischief and everyone’s favorite villain—received a huge welcome from fans when Feige brought him out on stage.

Then to the delight of the audience, Hiddleston answered the biggest question from “Avengers: Endgame”: “Where did Loki go when he took the Space Stone?”

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

Feige introduced the second film in the “Doctor Strange” franchise, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and called the director, Scott Derrickson, and star Benedict Cumberbatch to the stage to a rousing welcome.

In a surprise twist, Feige brought out Elizabeth Olsen, who also stars in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and they talked about how “WandaVision”—the Disney+ series that Olsen will star in as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch—connects directly to the feature-film storyline.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” hits theatres on May 7, 2021.

WHAT IF…?

Feige offered new information on “What If…?,” the first animated series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “What If…?” is being created exclusively for Disney+ and features stories that present alternate realities in the Marvel universe.

Feige mentioned that many actors from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe will reprise their roles as voice talent in the series. He then surprised the audience by bringing Jeffrey Wright to the stage and introducing him as the voice of the popular character The Watcher in the new series.

“What If…?” joins the Disney+ lineup in the summer of 2021.

HAWKEYE

Jeremy Renner came on stage and revealed the previously undisclosed title of the Hawkeye Disney+ original series. He joined Kevin Feige to give exciting news about “Hawkeye,” including details about Kate Bishop, a character well-known in Marvel comics, who will be an integral part of the series.

“Hawkeye” launches on Disney+ in the fall of 2021.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER

Feige talked about the next Thor film, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which will be the fourth feature film in the “Thor” franchise. It was revealed that Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, will become the Mighty Thor, the goddess of Thunder.

Director Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman all came on stage for the presentation, eliciting a wild response from the Hall H audience who are looking forward to the film’s November 5, 2021 debut in theatres.

BLACK WIDOW

Feige officially announced the feature film “Black Widow,” which is slated for a May 1, 2020 release in theatres, making it the first film of Phase Four to hit the big screen.

Feige surprised the audience with the first footage from “Black Widow,” which is currently in production. The film is directed by Cate Shortland who was on hand to greet the Hall H audience along with Scarlett Johansson, reprising her role of Natasha Romanoff, as well as newcomers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina.

BLADE

Following the “Black Widow” presentation, Feige had another big surprise up his sleeve for the enthusiastic Hall H crowd. He was joined on stage by actor Mahershala Ali and then announced the new Marvel Studios feature film “Blade” that Ali will star in.

 

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)