MCU and Mission Impossible actor Jeremy Renner, who suffered a near-fatal snowplow accident just over one year ago, said he’s ready to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as bow-wielding superhero Hawkeye.
“I’m always game. I’m gonna be strong enough, that’s for sure. I’ll be ready,” the 53-year-old actor told Entertainment Tonight.
“If they want me, they could have me,” he said, thanking his Avengers co-stars and crew for their support during his recovery.
Mr. Renner nearly lost his life on New Year’s Day, 2023, when he was towing his nephew’s snowed-in truck with a snowcat. When the snowplow began sliding sideways, the actor exited the vehicle without setting the emergency brake. The snowcat then headed toward his nephew.
In a reflex, Mr. Renner attempted to jump back into the vehicle’s cabin, but was pulled under it’s left track as it rolled over him, leaving him critically injured.
“These 30-plus broken bones will mend, grow stronger,” he promised his fans on Instagram two weeks after the accident. “Just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens.”
The Hawkeye star said he is now as good as recovered, revealing that he is doing “probably 90 percent of all the things I needed to be doing.”
“I’ll do whatever I can … whatever it takes to get better, to get stronger,” he continued. “It’s a one-way street, this recovery. The rest of my life is about health and wellness. Recovery will be part of the rest of my life, so I look forward to it, man. There’s always something to do to get better, be stronger, be happier, be healthier, and that’s what I look forward to.”
The actor said it was heartwarming to see the reactions, the sympathy and support, and how he had unintentionally inspired others who are also on the road to recovery after suffering serious injuries.
“I never expected that my voice or my healing would speak in volumes for so many people, but I’m glad it does,” he said. “It makes me feel righteous. It makes me feel like I can never be lazy. I can never have a bad day.”
“It’s a great honor,” he added.
Although grateful for his current situation, Mr. Renner said it is hard to look back at his year-long process of recovery, describing it as “harrowing.”
Left with a broken jaw, all he could eat for months was liquids and protein shakes, including his favorite: almond milk. Eventually, an almond milk manufacturer, Silk, approached him, and asked him and his daughter Ava to star in one of their Super Bowl commercials.
“”I’m glad that we got to do it. It is fun to do something with my daughter, so I’m not just sitting in the bleachers watching her dance or whatever,” the actor said.
“It was a great experience.”
