Following the swan song of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” Marvel Studios geared up to continue the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond its flagship team and superheroes. MCU Phase 4 takes the original concept of superhero films and series set in the same universe (but by separate movie and TV outfits) post-2012 “Avengers” and unified all production under Marvel Studios. Among the series being developed in this phase – for streaming online on Disney+ – is “Hawkeye” starring Jeremy Renner on his character’s post-“Endgame” adventures. A persistent rumor since 2019 was that he will be accompanied by a sidekick to be played by Hailee Steinfeld. That speculation may have been finalized.
Comic Book Resources reveals that a new report from inside sources might have confirmed the casting of Hailee Steinfeld in Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” streaming series, part of Phase 4 in the MCU franchise. As has been rumored ever since September 2019, Steinfeld looks to be portraying Kate Bishop, a young character from the comic books who took up the costumed identity of Hawkeye from the original, Clint Barton (played in the MCU by Jeremy Renner). And like in the source Marvel Comics, Clint looks to be taking Kate under his wing, training (and also preparing) her to take his place.
The fact that it took this long to likely cement Steinfeld in a speculated role for “Hawkeye” is indicative of the development delays for the MCU series compared to fellow Phase 4 show “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” There was even a brief (and quashed) rumor way back in January 2020 that this part of the MCU was on indefinite suspension. Even if pre-production intensifies now, it will also be in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic which could halt filming at any time, just like with “Falcon and Winter Soldier,” the August premiere of which was similarly postponed.
Hailee Steinfeld already has prior acting credentials for a Marvel (but not Marvel Studios) production. She voiced Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen in the 2018 3D-animated blockbuster “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” from Columbia and Sony Pictures Animation. Beyond that, she has been in the second and third “Pitch Perfect” films from Universal, and 2018’s “Transformers: Bumblebee” from Paramount. During the rumor period of her being cast for “Hawkeye” the actress expressed the unlikeliness of her involvement in the project. No further details about the series and its estimated release on Disney+ have been confirmed as of this time.
Image courtesy of Comic Book.com
Morgan Magazine 